Yeah, I had a similar experience. About 10 years ago I realized servo motors had become cheap. So I ordered one and a controller board. And I made a robotic finger out of wood and parts from the local hardware store. Servo pulled a wire which caused the finger to contract. Pushed it out to open the finger. Proof of concept. If I could build and control a finger, then I can build and control anything!
This led to a lot of jokes at work.
- Have you given the finger to anyone?
- Which finger did you build?
- Where's that finger been?
Then I ordered boxes of the parts I needed to construct more. I envisioned building at least 10 and possibly more fingers the same way. But the new parts didn't fit exactly like the first one causing too much friction, and the wood split on me.
I haven't worked on it in a long time, but am torn between getting my 3D printer working or trying to get a mobile base working.
Project for another day.