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Unread 20-10-2014, 19:49
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VEX Robotics Engineer
AKA: Arthur Dutra IV; NERD #18
FRC #0148 (Robowranglers)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: Greenville, TX
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Re: Sheet metal fabrication tools

Quote:
Originally Posted by bbierman View Post
Thanks for the review. That's what I need to know and I'll keep shopping. I'm guessing that a shear, a press brake and a slip roller of a better quality would be good tools to have. Are they worth it for the money?

Any comments on bead rollers in general, or the Eastwood and HF models in particular? Are they useful? Is my assumption correct?
This will be harder to find, but keep your eyes on the lookout for used heavier duty shears and brakes.

Look in industrial or government auctions - often times companies that go out of business or government agencies that have old stuff will auction them off, and you can pick up stuff for pennies on the dollar. You can pick up used, 20-30 year old equipment that's much better quality than new HF stuff for the same price.

Also, ask around at local machine shops and see if they have any older/mothballed equipment that they might donate to your team.

I once used one of those $300 all-in-one shear/brake/roller and it barely lasted a year of VEX and FRC use before the cast housing cracked.
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Art Dutra IV
Robotics Engineer, VEX Robotics, Inc., a subsidiary of Innovation First International (IFI)
Robowranglers Team 148 | GUS Robotics Team 228 (Alumni) | Rho Beta Epsilon (Alumni) | @arthurdutra

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