Welding class

 HOBB is learning to weld in this project where he is taking old bike parts to make a scooter.

FLL starts again

 HOBB and a few friends are starting FIRST Lego League again. This year;s challenge is: Nature's Fury. These pics are from our first meeting where I gave the boys some team building challenges:

1.  build as long a structure as possible with one tube of cardboard and 12 toothpicks.

2. Using 2 pieces of spagetti and 2 marshmallows, suspend a cup atleast 6" below a truss.

We also talked a ton about natural disasters. Next week we go to Metchosin's emergency preparedness house and talk to Firechief Stephanie.

RC car stand

 H has been spending a lot of time changing tires and bearings and tightening screws on his Rustler and Bullet.  H saw that the local RC shop had very cool stand where they placed their RCs while they tinkered with them. So he decided to make his own stand… and here it is!

RC tracked tank with alternative ramp parts usage

 Yet another tracked tank with pusher. This one with another way of using the ramp parts from FLL 2012 (as track covers).

RC LEGO with wheels and steering!

 Another first-- a car that is steered with a driveshaft rather than a motor to either side.

Two new RCs and a bridge

Here HOBB had two objectives:
1. make a few new tanks (note the use of wheels with tires within the track of the bigger tank-- a new idea which worked very well to prevent slippage). Check.
2. make a bridge which would support both tank's considerable weight (hint: the trick is in the edging) Check.

RC LEGO tank using FLL 2012 ramp as cover

Nifty use of last years FLL ramp. 

RC LEGO Sister Chopper Robot

A new attachment! Check it out!