Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

I thought it might be fun to see what people in FRC think the most underrated/ undervalued tools for FRC use are.

Personally, I am going with the vinyl cutter. Basically a giant plotter with a blade, it can make adhesive backed stickers that are useful for everything from sponsor logos on your robot to decals for team property, etc.

I am curious to see what you all think are the most undervalued and/or underrated tools in FRC. Post them below!

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

I'm going with the portable vacuum. Way too many teams get chips, shavings, and swarf in their electrical system because they neglect to get a vacuum in place while cutting or drilling metal on the robot.

A close second would be the file. It always surprises me how many teams wait until their robot is being inspected to learn how files should be used. :rolleyes:

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

From personal experience any mechanical pickup tool is amazing.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-24-...396H/206264355

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Vice grips. They can hold together parts while machining, clamp to a small part so you don't have to be close to the machine, stop vibrations on some parts while milling, hold some sketchy prototype parts onto a previous robot, and much more. To me, they are the duct tape of robot building.

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Cognitive thinking.

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Drill Press vises.

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Hammer ::ouch::

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Screensteps.

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Dark Soul Chain Tool, or a pneumatic riveter.

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Seconded.

Also javadocs.

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Plasma cutter

wouldnt have our bot without it

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

I second the motion.

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Brains.


And PPE of all types.



Brains allow you to use the tools (properly). PPE--properly used--helps if something goes wrong!

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

Are you sick of crooked cuts in your pneumatic tubing leading to pesky leaks?

There are so many connections! It could take hours to find that last one!

<Gray video>
"There has to be a better way!"
</Gray video>

Well, look no further! Introducing the TC-12 pneumatic tubing cutter! It cuts all of your pneumatic tubing clean and square so you never have to worry about pneumatic leaks again!

Re: Most underrated/undervalued tools
 

A good pair of diagonal cutters. I also agree with Knufire about the Dark Soul.