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New 'Bot in the House — Parallax Forums

New 'Bot in the House

ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
edited 2014-07-15 04:19 in General Discussion
Well almost in the house that is. Wand'ring around eBay this week, I came across this fellow...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parallax-Basic-Stamp-Toddler-Robot-/171349894637?_ilink=&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI171349894637.N9.S2.M-195.R2.TR6&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=TtKnF%2BcAfUXyG7ecHUB0KotOXbI%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Should be a nice fit with the other guys. :smile:

Amanda

Comments

  • WhitWhit Posts: 4,191
    edited 2014-06-11 19:38
    Congrats on the new bot! Can't wait to see what you name it...

    Tod?
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2014-06-11 19:46
    Nice score.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2014-06-11 20:26
    I can hear erco crying all the way up here in WA!!! Good score.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2014-06-11 20:35
    I was wondering what the wailing and moaning off to the west was...now I know!

    Way to score, Amanda!
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-06-11 21:41
    My blue Toddler was looking kind of shabby. The air pollution in Kaohsiung seemed to discolor the anodizing. So I have stripped it down and painted it a stealthy black.
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2014-06-11 21:51
    Amanda,

    Major win. That's a first-generation Toddler before he got off-shored to China for production. Let me flip into my "Antique Roadshow" mode for a minute.

    The first generation Toddlers had CNC-machined legs with Allodyne coating. Parallax paid an astounding $17 per leg (a Toddler has four of them, of course) but they were really pretty robot legs. Then, the Toddler went to China and the legs became aluminum sand-cast. While they were equally functional (and very low-cost), they were nowhere near as beautiful as the first generation Toddler legs. Strangely, Parallax brought the Toddler manufacturing back to the USA and again made the CNC-machined legs in the last third of Toddler's life.

    You own a first-generation Toddler. Congratulations!

    Be sure to loosen the collars that hold the legs on the Toddler's body and turn them around. At present the hip joint is facing outward on all four legs.

    You'll see my name is on the book, if was provided. I'm still trying to figure out how we wrote that code. The various pointers still make my head spin.

    Let me know if you need any spare parts, too!

    Sincerely,

    Ken Gracey
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2014-06-11 22:03
    Hmmm... I guess I have 2nd generation legs. Maybe Parallax should offer a deal on a set of 3rd generation ones to swap out. These can be offered at gatherings of Parallax users on special occasions.

    Of course a set of 1st generation ones would be even nicer. But I suppose if you have any, they should be held on to for worthy rebuilds. In my case, I have sanded down the blue finish and repainted everything gloss black.

    And, I have swapped out the BS2 board with a Propeller Proto Board. Not exactly standard kit. I also have an SX48 board that is fitted to the Toddler. These boards work with some very careful drilling of a couple of additional holes in exactly the right locations.
  • GenetixGenetix Posts: 1,754
    edited 2014-06-12 00:16
    Score Amanda. I guess you are the ebay queen now.

    Paint on aluminum is horrible. Have a company strip off the old anodize and do it again. I would suggest type III, hard anodize, which is extremely durable.
    Just remember the big mistake I made. Be sure to specify the color you want otherwise your parts may come back some strange color.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-06-12 02:16
    NWCCTV wrote: »
    I can hear erco crying all the way up here in WA!!! Good score.

    Congrats, Amanda. I did see that one but didn't bid. Now Ken says it's a special Gen 1 and I'm kicking myself for using a smidgen of restraint! Ah well, as long as Todd (if I may so presume) is going to a good home, that's the important thing.

    You've seen my robot room video, now how about showing us your still-growing bot collection? :)
  • ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
    edited 2014-06-12 17:33
    erco wrote: »
    Congrats, Amanda. I did see that one but didn't bid. Now Ken says it's a special Gen 1 and I'm kicking myself for using a smidgen of restraint! Ah well, as long as Todd (if I may so presume) is going to a good home, that's the important thing.

    As you, I had no idea. I really wanted to buy that toddler (in parts I think) a while back, but I couldn't afford it. Thought I spent a little bit more than was prudent on this one, but not =that= bad.
    The name... probably, will start with a "T", but I haven't decided yet! :-)
    erco wrote: »
    You've seen my robot room video, now how about showing us your still-growing bot collection? :)

    When "T" arrives, I'll post a pic.

    Amanda
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2014-06-12 17:44
    Maybe that should be Mr. "T" to anybody but close friends?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-06-12 20:25
    Timmy Toddler?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2014-06-12 21:57
    erco wrote: »
    I did see that one but didn't bid.

    I must be ill. Suddenly I'm posting about all the things I'm NOT buying. Must go lay down. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/156023-8.75-Sensor-Sampler?p=1273086&viewfull=1#post1273086
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2014-06-13 07:02
    Amanda,

    Welcome to the Gold Toddler Owners Group!

    I bought mine new-in-box a couple of years ago from Canada, it was their last one.

    I am proud to own something that erco does not have, (yet). :)

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/149087-Very-old-Milinst-Stambug?highlight=Toddler

    (Post #32)

    Jim
  • ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
    edited 2014-06-14 08:34
    erco wrote: »
    Congrats, Amanda. I did see that one but didn't bid. Now Ken says it's a special Gen 1 and I'm kicking myself for using a smidgen of restraint! Ah well, as long as Todd (if I may so presume) is going to a good home, that's the important thing.

    Thanks erco!

    Heh... the name "Tod" did come to mind, but that's awfully obvious. The character from South Park was a consideration... "TIMMIAH!" ;-) Also... all my 'bots seem to have guy's names... perhaps a female name is needed and with the experience I have with my current bipeds the name of the actress from Hitchcock's "The Birds" seemed a natural... "Tippi".:lol:
    erco wrote: »
    You've seen my robot room video, now how about showing us your still-growing bot collection? :)

    The collection isn't that large. The first two Ted 'bots wore out the Tamiya tracks and went back into the parts bin. I could never get Wilbur to work properly and he sits in pieces in a bookcase. I had a blue Scribbler, but recently sent it to the boys of a friend in Australia ('Twas a huge hit!!!) The remaining ones...

    IMG_20140614_075220_1.jpg


    Wilson, the two wheel, Xbee controlled critter.

    IMG_20140614_074309.jpg


    Next there is Percival the Penguin, Clyde the Clear 'Bot, Ted #3, Stanley the S2 and Scooter the 4 DOF biped.

    IMG_20140614_074804.jpg


    Here, Wally the 6DOF biped, a robotic arm I'm tinkering with (currently not named, but "Claude" comes to mind) and my BoeBot "Bob" currently set up to be remotely controlled via an Xbee.

    That's the clan right now. I'll post a couple of good pictures of the Toddler when it arrives.

    @
    IMG_20140614_075220_1.jpg
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    IMG_20140614_074309.jpg
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    IMG_20140614_074804.jpg
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  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2014-06-14 15:49
    Nice collection!!! Where did you get the tracks in pic #2?
  • ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
    edited 2014-06-14 21:33
    NWCCTV wrote: »
    Nice collection!!! Where did you get the tracks in pic #2?

    Hey Andy! Those tracks are from Lynxmotion.
    http://www.robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion-track-trk-01.html
  • ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
    edited 2014-06-19 21:32
    He's here! Picked up at 8:30 PM just before I start another 4 or 5 day stretch of work. <grumble>

    Anyhow...

    IMG_20140619_210427.jpg


    Looks like a few bits worked loose during his journey and I need to check if the batteries caused any damage (shipping it with the batteries installed???).

    @
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  • JLockeJLocke Posts: 354
    edited 2014-06-20 06:25
    All my best to Tippi. Hope she gets her gait straightened out soon!
  • ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
    edited 2014-07-14 09:33
    Ken Gracey wrote: »
    Amanda,

    Major win. That's a first-generation Toddler before he got off-shored to China for production. Let me flip into my "Antique Roadshow" mode for a minute.

    The first generation Toddlers had CNC-machined legs with Allodyne coating. Parallax paid an astounding $17 per leg (a Toddler has four of them, of course) but they were really pretty robot legs. Then, the Toddler went to China and the legs became aluminum sand-cast. While they were equally functional (and very low-cost), they were nowhere near as beautiful as the first generation Toddler legs. Strangely, Parallax brought the Toddler manufacturing back to the USA and again made the CNC-machined legs in the last third of Toddler's life.

    You own a first-generation Toddler. Congratulations!

    Be sure to loosen the collars that hold the legs on the Toddler's body and turn them around. At present the hip joint is facing outward on all four legs.

    You'll see my name is on the book, if was provided. I'm still trying to figure out how we wrote that code. The various pointers still make my head spin.

    Let me know if you need any spare parts, too!

    Sincerely,

    Ken Gracey

    Ken,

    Thank you for the information and your kind offer!
    I reversed the legs per your advice... wasn't as complicated as I first thought (piece of cake!).

    There was nothing missing mechanically on Tippi, save a couple of 4-40 screws attaching the logic board. Easily replaced from the hardware bin.
    Not surprisingly, none of the add-on electrical/electronic bits and pieces made the trip. Again, I think I have (or can find) all of these in the dark recesses of my bedro.... I mean Laboratory. :-)

    Just one question tho'... one of the 5-pin headers for the IR LED/sensors wasn't soldered correctly to the board and it bends back and forth disturbingly. Would it damage anything to lay the tip of my soldering iron across all 5 pins on the underside of the board till the solder softens enough to seat the header. I surely don't want to damage a classic like this!!!!!!

    Thanks again!

    Amanda

    PS.,, Y'all rule!
  • GenetixGenetix Posts: 1,754
    edited 2014-07-14 14:59
    Amanda, I think the previous owner had more to do with your header issue than Parallax. I do see though that the Toddler book has Revision C for the schematic and since you have a 1st-generation it's probably to Revision A.

    Ken, what changes were made to later versions of the Toddler board? Anything significant?
  • ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
    edited 2014-07-15 04:19
    Genetix wrote: »
    Amanda, I think the previous owner had more to do with your header issue than Parallax.

    I'm guessing the previous owner didn't assemble the board... I could be wrong tho'. Anyhow, just asking the best way I can fix it. ;-)
    I do see though that the Toddler book has Revision C for the schematic and since you have a 1st-generation it's probably to Revision A. Ken, what changes were made to later versions of the Toddler board? Anything significant?

    I'd like to see that! :-)

    @
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