HomeBrewed Robot Building Materials?

36 views
Skip to first unread message

camp .

unread,
Nov 25, 2025, 2:22:47 PMNov 25
to HomeBrew Robotics Club
    There's a section in our (the Mockers) forthcoming "MockBOT" book where we recommend unconventional building materials. For example:


    Any other unconventional building materials folks have found handy for building homebrewed robots?

Thanks,
Camp

James H Phelan

unread,
Nov 25, 2025, 8:27:35 PMNov 25
to hbrob...@googlegroups.com
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "HomeBrew Robotics Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hbrobotics+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/hbrobotics/974574709.1186431.1764098559582%40mail.yahoo.com.
IMG_8670.JPG

camp .

unread,
Nov 25, 2025, 9:02:04 PMNov 25
to hbrob...@googlegroups.com
> I used white but clear is now available:

    So this is just the double-stick tape, right?

Command 17200CLR Plastic Refill Strips, Assorted Size, Clear

Thanks,
Camp

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 08:27:39 PM EST, 'James H Phelan' via HomeBrew Robotics Club <hbrob...@googlegroups.com> wrote:


James H Phelan

unread,
Nov 25, 2025, 9:35:11 PMNov 25
to hbrob...@googlegroups.com

No, not just double stick tape.  That's hard to peel off.

These are Command Strips.  Pull on the tab slowly and the strip comes right off.


James H Phelan
"Nihil est sine ratione cur potius sit quam non sit"
Leibniz

camp .

unread,
Nov 25, 2025, 9:39:17 PMNov 25
to hbrob...@googlegroups.com
> These are Command Strips.  Pull on the tab slowly and the strip comes right off.

    I'll try some. - cp

rick rowland

unread,
Nov 27, 2025, 3:09:10 PMNov 27
to HomeBrew Robotics Club
And when glue will not work on plastic! Takes a little practice.

Chris Albertson

unread,
Nov 27, 2025, 7:32:19 PMNov 27
to hbrob...@googlegroups.com
You left out acetone. If you print with ABS, acetone is a solvent and makes very strong welded joints. Same is with ABS waste pipes in houses. The black plumber's ABS glue works too.

Jeremy Williams

unread,
Nov 27, 2025, 8:07:24 PMNov 27
to hbrob...@googlegroups.com
Re glue and plastic, we have had good luck with dollar store crazy glue and PLA

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "HomeBrew Robotics Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hbrobotics+...@googlegroups.com.

Ansel Halliburton

unread,
Dec 8, 2025, 3:40:56 PMDec 8
to HomeBrew Robotics Club
I don't know if it's unconventional, but I've had success building a chassis mostly out of 1" square aluminum tubing. I buy longer lengths for cheaper, and cut them to the lengths I want with a chop saw. Easy peasy.


These corner pieces came in handy.


Pasted image (2).png

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 11:22:47 AM UTC-8 camp . wrote:

Chris Albertson

unread,
Dec 9, 2025, 2:13:01 AMDec 9
to hbrob...@googlegroups.com
I think more people use the 2020 extrusions like below.  They come is different sizes and there is a whole ecosystem of parts.    I have a 3D printer made with this stuff.

Is the tubibg cheaper.  It seems that it might be given there is less metal per unit of length?

On Dec 8, 2025, at 12:40 PM, Ansel Halliburton <ans...@gmail.com> wrote:

I don't know if it's unconventional, but I've had success building a chassis mostly out of 1" square aluminum tubing. I buy longer lengths for cheaper, and cut them to the lengths I want with a chop saw. Easy peasy.


These corner pieces came in handy.


<Pasted image (2).png>

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 11:22:47 AM UTC-8 camp . wrote:
    There's a section in our (the Mockers) forthcoming "MockBOT" book where we recommend unconventional building materials. For example:


    Any other unconventional building materials folks have found handy for building homebrewed robots?

Thanks,
Camp


--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "HomeBrew Robotics Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to hbrobotics+...@googlegroups.com.

Alan Federman

unread,
Dec 9, 2025, 12:01:09 PMDec 9
to hbrob...@googlegroups.com, Chris Albertson
Extrusions are easier for smaller robots. Square Al tubing with brackets and pop rivets for robots above  50lbs. I would stay away from using welding or brazing Aluminum. TIG welding is expensive, brazing hardly ever works. Printed brackets using carbon fiber reinforced plastics also work.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages