So this year we have a telescoping elevator with dyneema cabling running through it. The cable is connected to the bottom of our half inch think aluminum hooks, which in turn, have three holes drilled out of their bases. The lowest hole is meant for the dyneema (which should carry the whole weight of the robot), while the top two are meant to have steel rods run through them and the exterior elevator shaft to keep the hooks in place. Our rods however did not fit the holes quite right, so the obvious next step down from steel rod is a number two wooden pencil. At first we laughed at how ridiculous it was, but then we realized that the pencils won’t be holding any weight and could potentially work as place holders, at least until we get the right sized rod.
