I spent allot of time trying to find flat PVC pipe caps today. Seams most manufactures have doomed caps. Has any one else had problems? I finally found 13 in a hardware store, but we need allot more.
Unfortunately, I think this will be a perpetual problem for all teams. The only way we found about 20 so far was to go to I believe 3 or 4 different places.
Do not limit yourself to just Home Depot, or Lowes. Try local hardware stores, and plumbing supply places as well.
Good luck to all who need these.
i found it amusing today when i went to home depot and asked for 1 1/4 inch PVC caps the guy immediately said: “Are you doing that robotics thing?” (i wasn’t wearing any robots clothing)
Then unfortunately informed me that another team cleaned him out the night before…ahh well trying to fit all that pipe was an interesting challenge (especially in the hail/sleet/rain)
We ordered a stock of 100 from Home Depot today. If you talk to the guys at home depot, a lot of times they can call and place an order with their warehouse. The price should be 51 cents per cap. We cleared out our local stores, then finally had to order them, they take ~3days to come in.
Good luck!
we couldnt find any flat ones so we just sanded a little flat spot. It works well.
I think this is what you want, but check to be sure. Local plumbing supply stores should be able to supply them.
We have a mix of domed and flat ones, which we’ve used in our tetras. So far, we haven’t had any problems with them. One thing we have noticed is that we’ve broken some lexan clovers with some rough handling from the robot (ie. dropping them from 10 feet up.) Also, we’ll probably add some lock washers to the bolted connections, as they tend to loosen up over time. Don’t sweat the details and get these built. The sooner you do, the sooner you’ll figure out how difficult they are to handle. 
Bengineer
Team 228
For all of you Michigan Teams in western Oakland County, the Home Depot on M-59 in White Lake (halfway between Pontiac and Howell) ordered 400 caps last Monday after I promised to buy 100 of them. I guaranteed the plumbing guy that he would be sold out.
Hope I’m right…
Ken
lol, at Ken , i hope so 2