Newbie - where to get robot parts?

Gordon McComb's book "Robot Builder's Sourcebook" has 100s or 1000s of resources categorized and itemized for you! Well worth the money if you're willing to buy a book as one of your tools.

Also, do a search in eBay and Google on CNC --- you should find 1000's of items that will give you some good ideas at a minimum and probably even find some parts to buy.

There also 2 other newsgroups that might be helpful to you: metalworking: rec.crafts.metalworking CNC: alt.machines.cnc

Hope that helps ! JCD

This is less of a "robot" and more of a traditional factory automation table. There are literally dozens oc companies that provide this for industry. For example, hit the Linear Motion link on the Bosch Rexroth site

Some outfits make units that are more or less ready to go. Check out for starters.

Finally, check out GlobalSpec for a generic resource on companies that make automation equipment.

-- Gordon

--Another group to check out: alt.machines.cnc Although primarily concerned with metal cutting machines you can find a pile of other info there. For me, if I wanted to make the sort of thing you're doing I think I'd start with a cnc retrofit kit for a Sherline lathe, a small, tabletop-sized machine that many people use to get started in all things machine shop.