Hexapod · Field Manual

01 · What this list is

Communica (a.k.a. Communica Electronics / communica.co.za) has branches in Johannesburg (Centurion / Randburg / Linbro Park area), Cape Town, and Durban. Walk-in or ship-to-door. For bulk fasteners and the standard bench consumables, it's the fastest option in the country.

Two sections below: the primary items we sourced from Communica by choice, and the fallbacks you buy here only if your first-choice supplier (PiShop / Micro Robotics / Rclipo) is out of stock. Plus a small bench kit of consumables you will burn through during the build.

Prices are approximate April 2026 rand, VAT included. Confirm at counter / checkout — Communica rarely surprises you by more than R20.

02 · Summary

Primary lines (buy here by default)

6 items · R473

Fallback lines (only if primary supplier is out)

3 items

Bench kit (consumables)

3 items · R240

BOM items from Communica already checked off: 0 / 6

03 · Primary · always buy here

PRIMARYXT60 male + female pigtail (pair)

qty 2 · approx R30 each · line R60

Search:XT60 pigtail

Counter ask:'Yellow RC battery plug, XT60, with silicone pigtail, pair.'

Note:You need two pairs: one for the battery side, one for the robot-side harness.

R60

PRIMARY2S low-voltage alarm buzzer

qty 1 · approx R50 each · line R50

Search:LiPo low voltage alarm

Counter ask:'2S–6S low-voltage alarm buzzer that plugs into the balance port.'

Note:Backup to the firmware cutoff (T6). Chirps when any cell drops below 3.3 V.

R50

PRIMARYInline 30 A blade fuse + holder

qty 1 · approx R53 each · line R53

Search:30A blade fuse holder

Counter ask:'In-line 30 A automotive blade fuse holder, pre-wired.'

Note:Goes on the LiPo+ lead between battery and buck. Pair of spare 30 A blade fuses is ~R15 more — buy them.

R53

PRIMARYM3 screw + nut assortment kit (6–25 mm)

qty 1 · approx R150 each · line R150

Search:M3 screw nut assortment kit

Counter ask:'M3 stainless or zinc screw/nut assortment, 6 mm to 25 mm, with washers.'

Note:Every bracket-to-body fastener. Don't skimp — buy the big box.

R150

PRIMARYM2.5 servo-horn screws (100 pack)

qty 1 · approx R80 each · line R80

Search:M2.5 self tapping screws

Counter ask:'M2.5 self-tapping servo horn screws, 10 mm, 100-pack.'

Note:18 servos × 2 horn screws = 36 minimum. 100-pack covers you for re-work.

R80

PRIMARYMale–female Dupont jumper wires (40 × 20 cm)

qty 2 · approx R40 each · line R80

Search:Dupont jumper wire 40 pin

Counter ask:'40-pin male-to-female Dupont jumper wires, 20 cm.'

Note:You want TWO strips. One for the permanent harness, one to cut up for replacements.

R80

04 · Fallbacks · only if primary supplier is out

▲Check primary supplier first

Communica stocks MG996R servos and PCA9685 modules, but both cost more here than at their primary suppliers (PiShop / Micro Robotics). Only order these if the primary supplier is out-of-stock on your shopping day.

FALLBACKSilicone wire 18 AWG — red + black, ~1 m each

qty 1 · approx R80 each · line R80

Search:silicone wire 18 AWG

Counter ask:'Silicone-insulated 18 AWG high-strand-count wire. Red and black, 1 m each if sold by metre.'

Note:Rclipo is the primary supplier; Communica stocks this as a fallback.

R80

FALLBACKMG996R metal-gear servo (PiShop fallback)

qty 18 · approx R125 each · line R2 250

Search:MG996R servo

Counter ask:'MG996R metal-gear high-torque servo. Quantity 18 plus 1–2 spares.'

Note:ONLY order from Communica if PiShop is out. Expect R115–130 each vs PiShop's R107.90. Budget impact: +R150–400.

R2 250

FALLBACKPCA9685 16-ch PWM (BMT variant) — Micro Robotics fallback

qty 2 · approx R210 each · line R420

Search:PCA9685 16 channel PWM driver

Counter ask:'PCA9685 16-channel 12-bit I²C PWM servo driver module, BMT-branded is fine.'

Note:If Micro Robotics is out of stock. Absorbable by the R300 contingency line.

R420

05 · Bench kit · consumables

Not in the BOM but you'll use them. Greg may already have some of this — check first.

BENCH KITLeaded solder (60/40) + flux pen

qty 1 · approx R120 each · line R120

Search:lead solder 60/40 flux pen

Counter ask:'60/40 leaded solder with rosin core, 0.7 mm, 250 g roll. Plus no-clean flux pen.'

Note:Not in the BOM but you'll use it on every power joint. Leaded flows better than unleaded for hobby work; use lead-free if you prefer.

R120

BENCH KITHeat-shrink assortment (2–10 mm)

qty 1 · approx R85 each · line R85

Search:heat shrink assortment

Counter ask:'Heat-shrink tubing assortment, black, 2 mm to 10 mm.'

Note:Every solder joint on a power lead gets shrink. Don't skip.

R85

BENCH KITCable ties (100-pack, 100 mm)

qty 1 · approx R35 each · line R35

Search:cable ties 100mm

Counter ask:'Standard nylon cable ties, 100 mm, 100 pack.'

Note:For looming the 18-servo wiring harness. You'll use ~30.

R35

06 · How to order

Online: the Communica website search is serviceable; copy the "Search" term from each line above and browse. Their filter for in-stock at specific branches saves a trip.

Walk-in: friendly counter staff. Bring this page printed. Using the "Counter ask" phrases gets you to the right aisle faster than reading part numbers aloud.

Shipping: approximately R99–R150 per order nationwide. One order beats two; pool everything above into a single basket.

▶ COMMUNICA

https://www.communica.co.za/

07 · See also

→ SHOP

Full BOM

→ SHOP / DIYELECTRONICS

DIY Electronics

→ BUILD / PHASE 1

Phase 1 deep dive

Shop — Communica.