Crafting parts (newbie needs guidance)

OK, can I buy them ready-made??  ;-)

I would need the following: 1-axis articulations (shoulder), rods of a
certain length, rod motor rotary around its axis(like a drill, but
smaller), wheels and gears, pistons?, what else...  sensors (that's for
a different thread, I'm reading on it already).

Thanks for the help,
  Simon

I am certainly not an expert, but since no one else replied, I will try
to give you some useful info.

Of course a kit is the best place for you to go.  There is a lot to
learn in robotics and you can't learn it all at once.  The right kit
will let you use the knowledge you already have, and then stretch you a
bit further.

I think your existing understanding of electronics will be a valuable
asset.The computer hardware and software interface knowledge will be
especially useful.

But, all that said, the best I can do is refer you to some on-line
stores that a good selection.

http://www.hobbyengineering.com

http://www.budgetrobotics.com/

http://www.lynxmotion.com  (they have an arm kit, plus a modular set of
components)

Joe Dunfee

Simon, Do you have the programming abiltity to do this project where
building it would be your
only short coming? ( the idea intrests me, but all my attemps at shared
programs to run robotics elsewhere have failed thus far)

now, you say you have nothing? how much nothing? A screwdriver?
Soldering Iron?
hacksaw?  anyways, what are you trying to do exactly.( I mean, describe
the timing, motions and events you want to occur in a specific device.)

Well, I'm an excellent C/C++ programmer and I've been reading about
using the different ports on the computer to have interactivity with
the outside, I'm thinking on using the parallel port for a start and my
long term goal is to get to make my own PCI interface card.


Yea, kinda nothing.  I mean, I do have one of those 10-in-1 screw
drivers and that's about it, not even a hammer!  (Yea, I'm still
young!)

About the robotics I'm going toward, I'll be interested to try
everything, starting from the simplest rotary motion like a wheel in a
car, then trying more advanced mechanisms like transfering the rotation
onto a different axis, a changing angle between the two axis of
rotation, etc, etc, etc...

It all depends on the project, and right now, there is no "starter"
project, I was looking for your comments and I think starting with a
kit will definately be the way to go.  It will work and I can possibly
hack it to work my way, then try to interface it with my parallel port,
eventually craft parts made of plastic or metal with the same design as
the kit has, maybe bringing my own modifications...

So, yea, I'll invest in a kit, and... then, I'll have precise questions
for you guys! ;)

Thanks a lot!
  Simon

I am trying to get into robotics in a similar sort of way. I did a
little research and ended up buying a phidgets interface (search for
"phidgets usa") which plugs into the USB port and can control some
circuits. This really saves a few hard steps in getting from
programming to motion since there is already a library writeen that can
be accessed from VBA (or C) to control inputs and outputs. As for
building materials, I'm going to start with legos. My reasoning is that
they already have premade gears and rack and pinions for linear motion
and they all fit together nicely. If you need more strength you could
glue them together or add parts of other materials. In terms of motors
and circuits, radioshack has little motors and with lego gears you can
reduce the gear ratio. To control the motor search for information on
"H-bridge." I also found I had to use relays (or maybe MOSFETs would
have worked) to get the required amperage.