Have you seen a spinner win in the arena and wondered how to build your own robot at home, even on a small budget? Weapon systems are the heart of combat robotics. With the right steps, you can design something safe, effective, and unique. Safety comes first—let’s build something great!

A. Understanding Weapon Types: The Basics for Beginners

Wedge: A wedge is a simple, angled plate at the front of your robot. It slides under opponents, working like a sturdy shovel on wheels. Wedges are popular with beginners because they are reliable, affordable, and can win by pushing or flipping other robots. They use simple parts and are easy to build.

Spinner: A spinner uses a fast-spinning disk or bar as its weapon. Think of a spinning top, but much stronger. Spinners are exciting and can hit hard, but they need more planning and careful building to stay safe.

Key Insight: Start with a wedge for simplicity and reliability. Try a spinner when you want a bigger challenge and more impact.

B. Safety Considerations: Building and Testing Safely

Failsafe: This is a safety feature that stops your robot if it loses radio signal. Always test your failsafe before using your weapon. Keep your work area tidy. Wear safety glasses and gloves. Never test a spinning weapon unless the robot is firmly held down.

When testing, use the lowest speed first and keep a safe distance. If possible, have someone nearby for extra safety. Injuries or flying parts can stop your project before it really starts.

C. Step-by-Step Mini Project: Build a Simple Wedge Weapon

Let’s build a wedge for your beetleweight robot (3 pounds or less):

• Materials: Old license plate, sheet metal, or thick plastic; basic hand tools (hacksaw, file, drill); nuts and bolts or zip ties.

• Steps: 1) Measure your robot’s width. 2) Mark and cut your material to fit as a ramp. 3) Gently bend it into a wedge shape. 4) Attach it securely to the front of your robot with bolts or zip ties.

• Testing: Move your robot slowly and check that the wedge doesn’t catch or snag. A wedge works like a snowplow—it pushes, not smashes.

Key Insight: Careful measuring and strong attachment matter most. Small details make a big difference!

D. Exploring Spinners: Safe, Small-Scale Experiments

If you want to try a spinner, start with a small test. Use a hobby motor and a plastic disk, like an old CD. Attach the disk gently. Use an ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) to adjust speed. The ESC works like a dimmer switch for your motor. This setup lets you see how spinning weapons behave.

To control movement, you can use a servo. A servo is a motor that moves to set positions and holds them. For example, you could use a servo to aim your spinner up or down, like a robot arm.

Key Insight: Start with small, safe parts to learn how spinners work. Always put safety first!

E. Budget and Tool Access Solutions

You do not need expensive parts. Recycled plastics, old kitchen items, or hardware store finds can become weapon parts. If you do not have power tools, borrow from friends, visit a makerspace, or use sturdy hand tools like files and hacksaws. Creativity and careful planning are your best tools.

Key Insight: Resourcefulness and planning save money and effort. Don’t let a tight budget stop your creativity!

Conclusion & Actionable Takeaways

Weapon systems can be simple and affordable. With good planning and a focus on safety, you can build a strong wedge or a basic spinner at home. Always use failsafes, work slowly, and put safety first.

• Decide if you want to build a wedge or try a spinner experiment.

• List the materials and tools you need for your budget.

• Follow the step-by-step guides above. Start small and build your skills.

Start simple, pay attention to details, and remember—let’s build something amazing!