Re: Setting up a new shop
 

here some more

HAMMER: Originally a weapon of war, now used to locate the most expensive parts near what you are trying to hit with it. If there are none, it settles for a thumb. Also used to enforce discipline, bend robot frames, and, in its role as "fine adjustment tool," make sure things slide just a fraction of an inch too far, necessitating multiple applications in both directions. also gets broken things working.

Re: Setting up a new shop
 

GUERRILLA GLUE: Glue with amazing capabilities for bonding the parts being glued together to the clamp holding them together.

LOCTITE: Guaranteed to always be on the bolt you take out of the misc. hardware bin when bolting Lexan parts together.

CHUCK KEY: Always missing. Can usually be found inside a hole in the wall (neophytes left it in the chuck) or with the lathe chuck key.

Re: Setting up a new shop
 

I'm adding "Typically used to make the lives of mentors miserable" to this definition (see photos)

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...84393480KUnEfM

http://msu.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...7&id=211204142

Re: Setting up a new shop
 

ALLEN WRENCH: A tool used to turn hex-shaped holes on the end of screws into round holes. Beware, these wrenches are shy, and tend hide in dark, hard-to-reach areas.

Re: Setting up a new shop
 

SOLDERING IRON: A device for volatilizing any toxic chemicals in its close proximity. Also useful for shorting out live circuits and verifying that expensive integrated circuits live up to the heat tolerance specified on their datasheet (or don't).

SAFETY GLASSES: A multi-purpose tool that can protect the forehead from sharp, high velocity projectiles.

MAGNETIC WAND: Used for wiping the memory of any devices that you happened to drop a small screw near.

CNC MILL: Used to inflict large doses of pain on unsuspecting freshman when they stand next to the handles on "rapid move."

-Ken

Re: Setting up a new shop
 

Over on PracticalMachinist.com, there are a number of references to "Mr. Slammy", an "operator encouragement stick". Turns out, it's a 3 pound lump hammer (drilling hammer). Apparently it was occasionally launched at apprentice machinists who crashed expensive machines. :D

Re: Setting up a new shop
 

VISE: large, heavy tool mounted on a bench. Used for holding things securely, including but not limited to fingers and the part you are trying to bend back into shape. May also be used as a crusher of whatever you put into it.

FLASHLIGHT: supposedly used in dark places to find the light switch. More often than not, it is a container for dead batteries, discovered while looking for the light switch.

HOLESAW: Drill attachment used to put a too-large hole in a too-heavy part. Also used to swiss-cheese a robot in a hurry.

DRILL BIT: drill attachment used to make cheese holes. Also known for breaking off in holes and disappearing from the drill index, necessitating a run to the hardware store.

Re: Setting up a new shop
 

Adding on,
ALLEN WRENCH: A tool used to turn hex-shaped holes on the end of screws into round holes. Beware, these wrenches are shy, and tend hide in dark, hard-to-reach areas; steel versions are particularly attracted to the underside of electric motor cases (due to not-yet-described physics phenomena, this attraction is greatly strengthened when you only have one Allen wrench of a particular size).

(Yes, this actually happened, one of our members spent at least 15mins looking for a specific (I think it was metric) Allen wrench that he had been using. It was discovered stuck on the underside of one of our drive chiaphuas.)

Re: Setting up a new shop
 

i know really come on i understood ever thing the first go around there was no need to Google random phrases and look of the most far fetched connections

but there should have been something in there about an 4 ton arbor press
the light was really good