Newsgroups: comp.robotics
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From: rstevew@armory.com (Richard Steven Walz)
Subject: Re: Sources for Robot Kits for Kids?
Organization: The Armory
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 1994 11:54:53 GMT
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References: <pauljoCuJsAt.GKK@netcom.com>
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In article <pauljoCuJsAt.GKK@netcom.com>,
Paul Johnson <pauljo@netcom.com> wrote:
>I was in a shop in Universal Studio's new Citiwalk this weekend, and I 
>saw a few different robot kits for kids.  Most were in the range of 
>$80-$100 for a robot which doesn't really do much, and some were MUCH 
>more.  Looking at the boxes, it's clear that there many more than these 
>few choices available.
>
>Does anyone know of a store in Los Angeles or a mail order outlet which 
>has a good selection of these products?
>Thanks in advance.
>-- 
>Regards,                             75470.1721@compuserve.com
>Paul Johnson                         pauljo@netcom.com
---------------------------------
Much better for your kids to build them, if not from books, then from kits.
The kits are $25 to $50. Building them from junk is almost a joke it's so
cheap! Maybe time to study them! Save a lot of money and teach your kids!
Start with "Getting Started in Electronics" by Forrest Mims III  from Radio
Shack. Yes, I don't work for them or like them, but the book value lately
cannot be beat! Then work toward collecting the other small Mims topical
books, buy all, they're cheap, and design your own stuff. It's easier than
you imagine! Robots like those are push-me, pull-you little nothings, like
the hand that comes out of the box and shuts the switch off in the old
days! what they do makes perfect sense, and parts are so cheap from tossed
electronics you can afford to blow up as much of it as you want! Become
fearless at under 9 volts! Soldering is easy to learn as well. Use
anything, learn to play!!!!! Collect all broken toys in a big junk box, all
unscrewed already. Same the plastic for fabrication with glue! 
Write me for more specific designs and ideas. 
-Steve Walz   rstevew@armory.com

