Fun Personal Project

[vivek16]

rail gun?

I did not know what a differential was either. you wouldnt need one if you had tank steer and not skid steer.

[Caio]

true, and with all things considered, wouldn't a tank drive be better for an all terrain vehicle? So you don't have to keep backing up and all...

oh well, I'll start designing one and depending on how I feel I'll either make it ackermann steering or tank... we'll see

and since i live off campus, it'd be interesting to have me carry home my rail gun on the bus <_< I smell criminal charges all over that...

Dude, make a longboard. Like, from the ground up. I'm talking designing your own trucks, deck, and so on. It'd be a fun build, and would also be very fun to ride. The trucks would need tight tolerances if you build precision ones (trucks with a spherical bearing), so that would satisfy one of your requirements...

Here's a picture of an aluminum longboard that's already on the market:



Also, feel free to PM me if you have any questions about what goes into one of those boards, as I make similar ones as a hobby/ side job.

[Lil' Lavery]

Build a custom NERF gun, completely from scratch. It can be done really low cost (almost entirely from PVC) or a much more precisely/advanced from a variety of other materials. I even know where you can find plans for one if you aren't comfortable making them yourself or wish to try a proven method first.

[artdutra04]

Build a 15lb Mini Class BattleBot.

[i_am_samus]

Build something that may come in use for yourself. Like the tennis ball thing you mentioned, if you're a tennis player, that will come in handy.

So I would find something that gives you grief everytime you have to do it...then build a robot that does it for you instead.

[DonRotolo]

A steam engine is always a fascinating machining project. Or a small gasoline engine.

Or, maybe solve a problem with a robot and unintentionally get yourself rich. Like a Roomba - oh, that's already taken.

How about a robot that autonomously screws down Trex-like deck boards? A contractor would happily pay $1500 for such an item - dump in a pile of screws, set out the boards, plug it in and walk away... It could be plenty slow.

A robot that installs asphalt roof shingles? Autonomously?

A snow plowing robot? Even R/C, but from the comfort of a warm, dry house.

A fully autonomous dog for the yard?



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[Boydean]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

A robot that installs asphalt roof shingles? Autonomously?

I have actually thought about that before, when I had to replace a roof in the middle of the summer......In SOUTH CAROLINA!

On another note, I have always had the fascination with mowing bots, just how the software would work.

[Caio]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm really excited about working on the all-terrain vehicle since it'd be a good challenge. The long board also seems like a really good idea.

Again, thanks for the suggestions and I'll see if when I'm done with this project I'll work on something else using the tips you guys suggested (of finding something I'm too lazy to do, then building a robot to do it)

[DonRotolo]

One last thought: A juggling robot.