First I want to thank you for all the time that you are putting into this. I really need to break down and just take a electronic class (i learn best with classes and asking a ton of questions). The more that I get into this, the more I love it and want to do it right.
The feed/pusher motor is the most important one to have the braking on it. The propel motors is a flip in the air, some people love it and some don't like it.
I feed motor will probably have a wolverine on it. When you tell someone they can use any motor but a wolverine, all they hear is "you can use any motor". With the feed being only one motor instead of two I can probably reduce the mosfet and diode values and reduce the cost.
I do have a couple of Wolverine motors and some of the IRLB3034PBF FETS. I also have some of these diode . I did order a bunch of diodes from amazon that is a mix batch (1N4007, 4148, 5399, 5408, 5819, 5822; fr107, 207). I have some other cheaper motors, I would like to try on these before moving to wolverines. The fet and diodes are easier and cheaper to replace than the motors.
I will probably need help with the wire setup. My background is on programming so I know very little of the terminology of circuits.
As far as setup I was thinking soldering all the wires to the arduino board (the ones that I have came with the pins already on, the next batch I will order without the pins because it will make the profile much slimmer). As far as the other components I am hoping that I could get these all on a board, I think with all the bouncing and dropping there would be less of a chance for a resistor/mosfet/diode to snap a lead. The only down side to this is that the couple of boards that I have will only fit 20 gauge wire in the holes, but I guess like i can just solder over the holes if they don't make bigger openings. With the board I could also get this setup and have some ready for backup if need be.
Going over all this with you brings a whole new meaning on why nerf added all those other components in there blaster that we just ripe out and say a 15 amp switch is all you need.