Mark Thompson
Email: mthompson@sequoits.com
Web Site: www.B9Robot.com
Waist-to-Tread
Section Templates & Instructions
1:1 Templates and Illustrated Instructions for Scratch Building Virtually
Everything from the Waist Down
Scores
of people have built the lower half of the robot for less than $200
using the templates and instructions that Mark Leslie and I created
in 1999, the Bermuda Triangle robot plans. The templates were developed
by studying photos of the original robot, the studio blueprints, and
Dave Painter’s excellent drawings. More than just blueprints, these
full-size templates spell out exactly what pieces to cut out to construct
your robot. And the instructions guide you each step of the way.
In January 2007 Mark and I finished revising each template sheet to make them more accurate than ever. All dimensions now match the B9 Club standard blueprints so you can make the most accurate parts possible. Changes to each sheet are noted below, and the instruction booklet also got some needed edits. Using plywood and foam pipe insulation, you can build almost the entire bottom half of the robot accurately and cheaply.
The set of five templates comes on 26" x 36" paper via Priority Mail. The eight-page instruction manual includes a materials list and comes by email as an Adobe Acrobat file so you can print your own copies and zoom in on the photos. I also send along the wheel dimensions and instructions for making inexpensive treads and creating a textured finish.
The
Donut Template
Using four rings of plywod and foam, you can make the robot’s donut
waist. Changes include a slight increase in diameter to match the standard
measurements now available and torsos being sold. The "donut cap"
has also been adjusted to match up with the most accurate torsos being
sold.
Note: it's also possible to substitute a plastic gear setup for the plan's top spacer if you plan to animate your robot.
The Waist Plate Template
Half inch plywood is all you need to make the robot's waist plate. The template has location markings for attachment to both the legs and donut. The center cutout allows for wiring or mechanical attachments or even a person inside your robot costume.
The dimensions are now 100 percent accurate to the original robot.
The Legs Template
You'll be amazed how much foam pipe insulation looks like authentic rubber legs once it's attached to the framework this template helps you build.
This sheet got a top-to-bottom overhaul to match the new waist plate while retaining the overall shape that made these plans popular. New legs cast from the original studio molds served as a guideline for the nine-piece leg framework.
Note: tracing each of the nine pieces shown on this sheet makes construction go more smoothly.
The Knees & Knee Plate Template
Cutouts on this template reduce the overall weight of the robot yet leave room for secure attachment of the components.
The template now has accurate rounded corners on the knee plate. The knees themselves were adjusted (slightly wider and shallower) to match the current standard measurements.
The Tread Section Template
Cutouts on the parts making up the tread section reduce the unit's weight significantly. Location holes for wheel axels are clearly indicated. Though not called for in the instructions, a functional soil sample door can easily be added to this setup.
This updated template raises the upper wheel location to more accurately match the original robot's construction.
