# First Time Robot

**URL:** <https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/t/first-time-robot/708>\
**Category:** Questions & Help\
**Tags:** featherweight-13-6kg, building\
**Created:** [17 May 2026 16:00 UTC](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/t/first-time-robot/708 "2026-05-17T16:00:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HarrysRobot](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/e480ec/32.png) [@HarrysRobot](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/u/HarrysRobot)\
**Post date:** [17 May 2026 16:00 UTC](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/t/first-time-robot/708/1 "2026-05-17T16:00:28Z")

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![1000018021](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/uploads/default/original/2X/0/0288dc785962d52fc141e2b37580b8d0bbb1339f.jpeg)

 ![1000018205](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/uploads/default/original/2X/c/c2c88faa98ab8138d4e2f7193102699c132ac795.jpeg)Hi this is my first robot, I’ve fitted bearings on the front to help it move across the floor but they just keep jamming up. Does anyone know of anything better or certain bearings they’ve used before?

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**Author:** ![HBantweightrobots](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/user_avatar/forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/hbantweightrobots/32/7263_2.png) [@HBantweightrobots](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/u/HBantweightrobots)\
**Post date:** [17 May 2026 16:09 UTC](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/t/first-time-robot/708/2 "2026-05-17T16:09:01Z")

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Hi!

Never actually built a feather before so I don’t know much, but if they are anything like the ants that I build, you probably don’t need bearings on the front.

As you can tell I’m probably not the best person to answer this but that would be my guess of solving your problem.

Nice build!

Hollis

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**Author:** ![Jack](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/user_avatar/forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/jack/32/37_2.png) [@Jack](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/u/Jack)\
**Post date:** [17 May 2026 17:17 UTC](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/t/first-time-robot/708/3 "2026-05-17T17:17:59Z")

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Id just use a rounded block of hdpe as a skid tbh

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**Author:** ![McMullet](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/user_avatar/forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/mcmullet/32/330_2.png) [@McMullet](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/u/McMullet)\
**Post date:** [18 May 2026 21:56 UTC](https://forum.bristolbotbuilders.com/t/first-time-robot/708/4 "2026-05-18T21:56:39Z")

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As Jack says, you’re probably better off with a skid on the front - and just one in the middle, not a pair like you currently have. Not only are those ball transfer thingies inherently a bit pants, but four points of contact with only two driven wheels will be a pain on any uneven surface. I’m guessing it’s going to be a bit front heavy, especially when the axe comes over, which would mean it would tip onto one of the balls and completely lose traction on one of the rear driven wheels. Even if the weight is all over the back, it is going make contact on one or other of the front sides and get knocked out course.

Looks really nice btw!