After asking around, I believe we have the sponsor I have mentioned above, as well as a $2000 grant from our school's PTSA for tools. After subtracting the 2013 registration fee and our rainy day fund from last year's surplus, I believe we have around $5k-$7.5k to spend on tools.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrBasse
I'm not trying to sound too much like an adult here, but has any of this been cleared with the school's administration or custodial departments? Just on my teaching experience alone I can tell you that it isn't a good idea to surprise either group. If you make one or the other angry you might end up finding a new Place to work whether you want to or not.
Space is another concern with big machines, I don't know what physics labs look like where you are, but from the ones at my school I can tell you that one Bridgeport with safety clearance will use up the full lab area. Also, does the teacher still have to teach in this room? In moSt states,there are regulations on what can be in a particular room based on the certified staff present. If you don't have a certified teache in industrial technology present a lot of school's won't have the insurance to cover potential injuries.
I'm not trying to shut you down on any big plans, but it always a shame to get everything put together and organized and then have to take it all down. I was offered a rediculous Haas CNC mill the other day on donation and had to turn it down because we don't have the floorspace and the maintenance department won't let us run electrical to where we do have space. Sometime things don't work out, and it is definately better to know ahead of time when they won't.
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That is an excellent reminder, I know our teacher has brought it up with the administration, but all the other points will have to be confirmed. The administration is really flexible and supportive, they have really worked with us so far, so hopefully there isn't much other problems.
I love all the other suggestions, I will have to research specific brands of tools and models. If anyone has a specific model that their team is using and it works great, PLEASE let me know. That is probably the biggest problem I have at the moment, finding a specific product that we know will do what we want/need, and last us at least a few seasons.
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Originally Posted by EricH
A good solid chop saw can probably do most of the functions of a miter saw and table saw (and to some extent a horizontal bandsaw); if you get one where the blade can slide in and out with respect to the pivot point, you get some limited table saw ability as well.
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After more research, I have something to clarify. Am I wrong in saying a chop saw is a saw that cuts in a vertical plane, while a mitre saw is a type/variation of chop saw that allows you to also get angles on the cut? This is probably going to be one of the tools we need more urgently, because last year we handled all cuts (wood, metal, plastic) using either a circular saw, jig saw, or hack saws. I've been looking at a
Makita LS1216L with goes for $600, which is also available with a stand. It is a sliding dual beveled compound model. Anyone have experience with this, or possibly a cheaper brand/model? I've yet to check local classified to see if there are any good deals around.
Revised Listing (all none tool suggestions have been taken down, most are generic and will be bought regardless):
1) many more drills (at least one right-angle w/ carbide bits, Makitas + DeWalts)
1) more hammers
1) more wrenches (allens with handles, ratcheting, sockets)
1) any tools that will help in getting accurate measurements (what else besides calipers?)
1) many vises, mounted on sturdy work tables (at least 6" expansion and 4" jaws)
1) more clamps (6 Quick Clamps 12", 4 Bar Clamps 18" opening)
1) dremel
2) drill press ($350 - 500, maybe spring for a Bridgeport mill, but a 2-axis vise can offer same capability)
2) miter saw (compound, sliding, single/dual beveled)
2.1) arbor press (a reasonably priced one)
3) band saw (horizontal or vertical? - Stout Pro 200)
3) bench grinder
3) disc/belt sander ($100-200)
4) lathe
4) mill (Bridgeport)
4.1) combo machine (lathe/mill/drill press - have not heard good things though)
5) reciprocating saw
6) welding equipment? (only if we have members learn)
We have contacted our local CC as well as a local technical high school. With City College of San Francisco, we actually went to a meeting of their robotics club in their workshop once, but as far as I know, they could not/did not offer their tools or services to us. The technical high school did not want to join forces with us, and were not willing to give us access to their machine shop either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemo
A low cost metal bending brake plus an inexpensive shear would be worth considering if you have a table to mount them on. Bent sheet parts are useful in lots of places. You can get both at Harbor Freight for a combined $200.
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It does seem plenty useful. Are there manual and electric types of it? What does the shear do?