JAC is my first tracked robot that I am building. I have been looking for a long time for a large platform with strong rubber tracks. I found this rover at a flee market for $20.00 and knew this was it. As many of you have seen in my pass post a video of it running and run it does. The best part is it can climb stairs although I don't think that will be a function right now until I find out how to control the lift motors with an H-Bridge. I have had some great suggestions using an RC setup to make the motors act as servos but still trying to figure that one out. The first picture show the rover as it comes out of the box. The second is it with the top shell removed and the arm attached. I like this arm it is strong enough to grasp and pick up a full beer. Anyway more pictures will come as the progress continues. Thanks again to all those who had great suggestion. I love this forum.
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I've heard nothing but good things about Smooth-On. It's used a lot for building CosPlay armours like Ironman, Master Chief, Storm Trooper etc. but it's expensive (worth it though)
I got a trial starter kit for $30, worth a try.
I love this platform! I want one!
Ebay
They are a bit pricy but if you want your own all terrain robot with the least work/ money involved this looks like the guy to go with.
I know I have seen some up there but I got mine for around $20.00 at a flea market, then I picked up another on ebay to use as extra parts for $40.00.
Well I started on the body design using styrofoam as the body. I am still sculpting out the body and found this is kinda fun. I picked up 2 8x8" blocks from my craft store and after I figured out how to attach the foam to JAC's chassis I started carving the foam. The foam will be hollowed out to accept the EZ-B and othe components. There will be some reinforcing tubes in the arms to strengthen them and also be a pathway for the wiring for the pan and tilt servos and burning blueray laser on one arm and a flashlight on the other. The top will have the camera with a pan and tilt or the Kinect unit on it (@DJ please hurry on the new release). Once I finish the design and have made all the cutouts it will be coated with plastic that is sandable and paintable for again strenth and smooth finish. The plastic is a product from Smooth-On called Epsilon which I will include a link to. I like this stuff for you can now make a body that you like and are no longer restricted to a doner body. Will follow up with more pictures as time goes on.
Plastic coating for foam
Arm supports