Starting my first project. Looking for parts in the G.T.A Ontario.

I could be wrong, but I think you still need a controller , like an arduino to get them to run right.

I don't know either but this is where I am confused because both say controller in the title.
As I figured a arduino would read the information from the computer then send a reading to a controller. The controller is basically i set of relays that change the polarities to the motors quickly depending on what that arduino tells it. Am i even close?
You suggest that the pololu jrk works as both while the pololu works as just the relays?

and what does jrk stand for?

If i put something like this together using

http://www.canadarobotix.com/robot-parts/microcontrollers/arduino-microcontroller/arduino-uno-3

And


http://www.canadarobotix.com/pololu-dual-motor-shield-for-arduino-12a-24v-2502?
filter_name=12v%20motor%20controller&filter_category_id=77

would that work for 2 motors?

Not sure where you get the idea of relays from, but mosfets are faster version. Relays usually run at about 50-100ms, while mosfets can run at 1-2 ms.
JRK, is the Pololu 12v12 JRK, micro-controller and h-bridge in one, although you need one per motor. They are industrial PID motor controller built in, no need for external code to be written. And yes they cost more and handle 14v at 30 amps continuous all day with heatsink and fan cooling.
If fact, guys have had JRKS at 40-45 amps bursts no problem.
As for the ard and dual motor shield, I believe yes, it does 2 motors. But you need a code for the ard, there are several here on site.
From what I read, yes, the dual motor shield will work without a controller, but only as a speed controller. You will still need to talk to it with an ard, as in motion sim, there are a lot of direction changes with different speeds of each change. Hence using a code with PID involved in the code.

All bearings come from china for the most part.

james wheeler, when guys suggest something, there's usually a reason for it. These guys have been down the road a few time's and know what Not to waste your time on.

As Blazin said yes good on you for trying to support Canadian distributor's but thats all they are is distributor's. Your NOT going to find any Canadian Made gear motor's or Canadian Made Motor controllers. It just is what it is.

You are correct that most everything is made in china and thats just the way it is because people want the cheapest stuff they can find. Thats understandable.
However I enjoy helping my local distributers and IMO its a inportant thing to do.
Let me give you a example.
I have a rc heli and car which I require parts for often. When I started my rc hobby I had a lot of learning to do and broke things alot.
There is a shop here in town called HotRod hobbies http://www.hotrodhobbies.ca/ They have a track set up inside and a garage for you to work on you car and practice. All for free. If I did not buy my stuff from them and bought it off shore, then there would be no place to go and get together with like minded people and hold races, get info, discuss builds (more repairs in my case) and so forth.
This is why it would be nice to find a distributor around here. Internet shopping can only help so much.

You are also correct about other sim-builders knowledge. However I know nothing. So I need to ask.
bsft has been extreemly helpful. Both with his suggestions and his patience. But I would like to try and understand as much as I can while building my first sim. So i need to ask. Anyone can put lego together.

I think the ard will alot me more of a learning opportunity. And I found a local shop (a1parts) that deals with both ard and jrk. There seems to be more of a community around the ard, as in robot building and such.

p.s I have figured out on how to get simtools to work with sketchup. If you want to check out that forum.
Value1 was very helpful.
Now I can use the program to make up working models of my ideas.

Im all too aware of the RC scene and buying online/offshore/LHS. I'm part owner in this place.

http://clockworkracingengines.com/content/cre-raceway-winnipeg-manitoba

then you would agree on how inportant a community is to rc hobbiests. what my local shop offers in the way of providing that makes me wanting to help them stay in buisness.

Sim racing isn't the same thing, but sure.

no its not. unlrss i build a portable simulator. non the less the sim building might lead into robotics which i then could introduce my kids to . mabey take them to a open seminar at the shop

buddy of mine has 2 boys who both build and compete in robot "wars" of sorts. Pretty neat if you ask me and gets the kids minds working at a young age when most are glued to COD or Battlefield BS games.

Nice and good on him for taking the time to get his kids active.

yes there is a lot of talk here about arduinos for sure and yes they are good for learning coding, if thats what you are looking for.
There is not a great deal of discussion about JRKS, because they are fast and easy to get going , and they work.

but they are costly . i am wanting to keep it as cheap as possible because once its opperative i plan to sell it to build a good one .so the profit is what i will buy the jrk with

my first frex style frame http://img245.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=223533058_IMG_0965_122_130lo.JPG cost me under $400, using wipers, jrks, and donated materials, including seat and surround sound speakers. I resold it for not much more and for plug and play capability, yes, jrks are definately the go.
I have built and sold 4 more jrk based frames since and with the exception of one already having a pc with it, the others took less than an hour to setup and get a profile going on the buyers pc. After that I hardly heard from them, probably a good thing. Apart from a few enquiries about patching games, sorting PID and profiles. But nothing too strenuous.