Re: "Essential Tools"
 

Don't forget a multimeter!

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

In theory the list could go on and on but for a good tool source with low prices I would got to Harbor Freight. Thwy have just about ever tool you could want and they have coupons like 3 times a month.

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

In the electrical world it is best when you have the right tool for the job. Every team should consider an automatic stripper that allows for stripping #10 or smaller wire without cutting the strands.
Mcmaster 7292K42 $24.99
Automatic ratcheting crimpers are also an easy way to crimp solderless connectors...
McMaster 69555K62 $46.61 but worth it. Other manufacturers have similar tools withour replacment dies for far less.
Large diameter wire cutters like 3563A73 $22.38 are useful for cutting #10 and #6 but are not must have tools.
If you are going to use the smaller Power Pole line of connectors, the crimp tool for those is a must have. We crimp and solder all connection just to be sure.
Several different soldering irons are then needed. 25 watt for most jobs and 50 watt with larger tips for soldering the larger wires. No team should be without heat shrink tubing so a heat gun is also a must have item.
Please make sure you have at least one set of flush cutting wire cutters to insure that the cutoff ends of wire ties do not have a sharp end that can cut and scratch.

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

Great advice Al. For those of you not wanting to spend the big bucks at McMaster-Carr then once again Harbor Freight to the rescue:

Similar Automatic Wire Stripper $5.99 but I have bought them on sale for as little as $2.99. Note that it doesn't strip the smaller guage wires like 22, 24. We prefer this type for small gauge wire which you can get on sale for $.99 just about all the time. Get several and set them up for each of the small gauges (22, 24, etc.) and lable them as such.

Similar Insulated Terminal Ratcheting Crimper $14.99 on sale for $9.99.

We have all of the above tools from Harbor Freight and they work great!

As for the small Anderson Powerpole crimpers we have the one from West Mountain Radio but Powerwerx sells the same thing (I think) for a few dollars less. You can get replacement jaws for them at West Mountain Radio for all types of connectors. Our experiance with the West Mountain Radio crimper for the smaller Anderson Powerpoles has been mixed. It works perfectly on the 15A and 30A but the 45A seem to jam up everytime especially with 10 GA wire. Does anyone else have this problem? Any secret to making it work properly?

As for the large Anderson Powerpoles like we use on the battery connectors we haven't found a suitable cheap crimp/swag tool so we usually solder the wire in with a porpane torch. How do other teams tackle this issue?

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

i would have to say an aluminum magnet if you can find one :)

but for real it may not be the cheapest but get craftsman tools
lifetime warranty
and a good tool box don't forget that

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

I will second that. Additionally, have a checklist ready for that toolbox, so you know what should be in there before departing for a demo or competition. There is no feeling quite like shearing a couple of rivets on your tower to find out that your riveter is 680 miles away.

To that end, get a good printer. You will be printing plenty of things over the season. (Bonus points if it is a printer you can bring with you to competition, but bring extra ink and paper; teams will invariably ask if you can print off a few things for them.)

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

now what exactly is heat shrink wrap used for? I know its used for wrapping the crate but is it used for electrical stuff at all?

thanks much, vivek

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

I think you're referring to two separate items as one.

Shrink wrap is like saran wrap and as you said, you can use it to wrap your crate.

Heat Shrink is plastic tubing that comes in various diameters and colors that you generally put over soldered connections, where you join two wires together,etc. Basically anywhere where you don't want uninsulated wires.

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

Hammer
Even bigger hammer
Saws-all with extra blades
Grinder with extra wheels
Pry bar
Screw drivers (aka small pry bars)
Vice grips
Channel locks
1/4" to 3/8" drive socket sets
Open/closed end wrench set
Adjustable wrenchs
T handle allen wrench set
Cordless drill and bits (extra batteries)
A dozen rolls of duct tape
Lots of zip-ties
Goodie or BC powders


And the most important.... FIRST AID KIT! :eek:

Ohhh and a 110 cup coffee maker! :D

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

ah, ok. Cool.

thanks, Vivek

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

Everyone has pretty much covered what you will need but it is important to spend the money and make sure that certain tools you get are of good quality.
Make sure you don't skimp on...

Vice grips- you will do things with these that they were never meant to do and they will only survive if you have good ones

Crimpers and wire strippers- good ones are just easier to work with because cheap ones will just give you trouble.

Rotary tool- get a Dremel brand or something just as good because again, you will use it constantly and good ones last longer and are easier to deal with.

good luck

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

I absolutely love you guys as well as this forum. All of the replies so far have helped us so much. On behalf of team 2554 (The WarHawks) I would like to thank you very much. Good luck during build season. Hopefully once our rookie year is over we will be able to help continue the awesome service that these forums provide.

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

I agree about the ratcheting lug crimpers! You don't need loose connections. A pair of good strippers will prevent nicking the wire.

As for files, our best one for deburring aluminum is a really cheap, fairly coarse 6" file we got at Northern Tool for $1. For some reason, it never loads up with chips, unlike slightly finer, high-quality made-in-USA files. Who could guess :D

I don't know if Lowe's still has them, but if you can get the 30-piece Task Force metric/inch hex key set in the gray case, they are reasonable quality for the low $ (at least were). Of course, Unbrako, Allen and Bondhus may be better, but these were fine.

Re: "Essential Tools"
 

Make sure your computer can boot in less than 10 minutes, and that it has a battery life longer than 30 minutes (problem with our team for a while now, darn 7 year old laptop!) you really don't want to run out of power while needing to code something right before a match.

THANKS FROM 2977!! :D
 

thanks so much!
i am from team #2977 and we appreciate it sooo much!
:D