And like was said earlier, don't worry about it being perfect.  In fact
it's better if it's not perfect.  The tables at a tournament seldom are.
 It is a valuable exercise when preparing for an event to slide the mat
around a little, get it a little out of square, make it a little lumpy,
etc..  If you can deal with those factors during practice then you will be
more successful at the tournaments.


On Wed, Sep 11, 2013 at 3:10 PM, Darlene Pantaleo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> The rules and setup instructions for the mat:
> *FIELD MAT PLACEMENT*
> *Step 1 *- Vacuum the table top. Even the tiniest particle under the mat
> can give the robot trouble. After vacuuming, run your hand
> over the surface and sand or file down any protruding imperfections you
> find. Then vacuum again.
> *Step 2 *- On the vacuumed surface (never unroll the mat in an area where
> it could pick up particles), unroll the mat so the image is up
> and its north edge is near the north/double border wall (note the location
> of the double wall in each table sketch below).
> *Step 3 *- The mat is smaller than the playing surface by design. Slide
> and align it so that there is no gap between the south edge of the
> mat and the south border wall. Center the mat in the east-west direction
> (look for equal gaps at left and right).
> *Step 4 *- With help from others, pull the mat at opposite ends and
> massage out any waviness away from the center and re-check the
> requirement of Step 3. It is expected that some waviness will persist, but
> that should relax over time. Some teams use a hair dryer to
> speed the relaxation of the waviness.
>
>
> Follow these instructions and you'll be fine.
>
> On Sep 11, 2013, at 2:47 PM, Barry Moses wrote:
>
> I built the full competition table to the specified FLL dimensions.  I
> noticed when I rolled the mat out that it has some space between the edge
> of mat and the 2x4's.  Will this make a difference in competition?  The
> whole thing could be shifted a half to three quarters of an inch.  I just
> put starting block all the way in the corner and leave the gaps in the far
> edges.
>
>   *From:* Darlene Pantaleo <[log in to unmask]>
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 11, 2013 2:38 PM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [VADCFLL-L] Home Depot / Lowes donation for table supplies?
>
>  For the purpose of practice, you can always build the 4'x8' frame, paint
> it black, and put it on the floor or large enough table surface with the
> mat inside the border. It's cheap and much easier to store. Simple
> double-sided tape will hold the mat in place and will not add any bumps or
> thickness. Just a thought...
>
> As to getting help, Lowe's gave me 50% off when I asked them for help a
> few years ago. Other places have given me $25 gift cards on the spur of the
> moment, as long as I had a letterhead from a nonprofit in hand. I have
> heard that most managers of local chains can approve up to $100 without
> involving their corporate offices.
>
>  On Sep 11, 2013, at 2:16 PM, Christina's IPad wrote:
>
>  Bummer.  I couldn't even get help from lowes for a discount or tax
> exempt status for the Girl Scout Robotics team.  Kept getting different
> answers from various people at the Customer Service Desk.
>
> Wish I had gone to Home Depot first.  I already purchased at Lowes & built
> our table.
>
> Christina
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Sep 11, 2013, at 1:39 PM, Barry Moses <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>   Anyone have luck getting HD or, Lowe's support after the table is
> built?
>
> Barry Moses
> Seahawks Coach
>
>   *From:* Leah Stone <[log in to unmask]>
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 11, 2013 11:10 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [VADCFLL-L] Home Depot / Lowes donation for table supplies?
>
>  All Home Depots will do this, as it is their Corp policy that the store
> managers can 'on site' aprove request $50 and under. The cutting to size is
> something they do in store for eveyone.
>
> Happy building!
>
> Leah Stone
> Creeping Creeper, FLL
> Baby Creepers, Jr. FLL
> Brain Bots, Jr. FLL
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 11, 2013 at 10:30 AM, MH Thompson <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
>
> Does anyone know if Home Depot or Lowes in the Richmond area provides any
> support for FLL teams to assist in the purchase of supplies for building
> the
> table?  If so, which stores helped with this?
>
> I know someone mentioned previously that Home Depot offered a $50 gift card
> to use toward the purchase of table materials in the Charlottesville area.
> Hoping to find some assistance in the Richmond area.
>
> Thanks!
>
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