Quote:
Originally Posted by botsofprey
I have a blank space we are setting up for our build space. It is approx 500sqft. (We are hoping on other options but as of now this is what we have.) As a rookie team we are looking for new tools but have the basics to get us started. I'd love suggestions on things we will need in the shop? Links and pictures welcome.
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Good news! 500 square feet is more than we get.
If I were outfitting a new shop right now, here's what I'd get:
1) A bunch of shoebox-ish-sized plastic storage bins with lids. Organize your average-sized parts in them.
2) Some tackle boxes for organizing the small crap.
3) Some plastic shelves that you can set up and tear down easily. Works great for your pit too.
(Noticed how organization is top of the list? Trust me, it's easier to start good than to get good.)
4) Basic hand tools. Wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, allen keys, drill bit set, files, files, a couple more files, deburring tool.
5) Two good, identical hand drills, and at least one extra drill battery. (This way, you don't have to hunt for a battery as much.)
6) A chopsaw with a metal blade
and hearing protection. (Great for cutting square tubing, but it's loud. Plan accordingly.)
7) Two hand riveters, a bunch of one size of rivet, and at least six drill bits sized for that rivet. (We standardized on the 5/32" rivet in 2014 because that's what VEXpro uses on their gussets. If you need different grip ranges, get them--but someone would have to sell me on different diameters.)
With some smart use of COTS parts, this will get you to a sturdy structure for whatever the robot has to do out of square or rectangular tubing and sheet metal gussets (think VEXpro's Versaframe), or angle aluminum if you can't swing that. I've done variations of this setup with a few different teams, and it's led to four blue banners over the years. It's when we've tried to get fancier that things seem to go off the rails!
Welcome, and good luck.