Quick reply to tools recommended for a new
FIRST Robotics Competition team build site (as recommended to the new Chinese teams for 2016)
Things to avoid in all cases!
• Adjustable wrenches (tends to damage corners of hex fasteners)
• Welding equipment (process is difficult to do well and repairs at an event become difficult)
Basic Minimums – Level 1
• First aid kit
• Safety glasses for everybody
• Hex wrenches (may need SAE and metric sizes)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-In...5282/205539289
• Screw drivers (flat and cross-recess)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Sc...513L/202710566
o Large
o Small
o Mini – for some of the electrical work
• Hand files (coarse and fine)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Fil...3HDN/203243960
• Pliers
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-8-i...8020/203288181
• Side cutters
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Xcelite-4...S54V/205692245
• Needle-nose pliers
http://www.homedepot.com/p/KNIPEX-He...-200/100668989
• Snap ring pliers
http://www.homedepot.com/p/GearWrenc...715D/205594173
• Locking pliers (do not use in place of proper wrench)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Loc...6850/203429493
• Electrical pliers and strippers
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Too...1055/100630708
• Combination wrenches (open end/box end)– several of each common size will be needed
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-SAE...SAEN/203203983
• Set of socket wrenches with a ratchet drive (may need SAE and metric sizes)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Promotion...0002/204505322
• Hacksaw w/ several different pitch blades
http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-10-in...2150/204748830
• Tape measure, and ruler
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-P...425D/100019154
• Combination square
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Johnson-C...20EM/100353836
• Scissors
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Wiss-8-1-...812S/205034015
• Set of drill bits
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Ti...1369/202279644
• Swivel head rivet tool (optional if rivets are to be used)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Arrow-Fas...T300/100135850
• Bar clamps
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-Me...3196/205086878
• Mallet (prefer dead-blow)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-4...CD45/202183856
• Ball-peen hammer
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Estwing-1...16BP/203075910
• Staple gun
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Arrow-Fas...-T50/100021099
• Dustpan and broom
http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-Angle...DXRM/204357161
• Trash can
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rubbermai...8013/100656030
Highly Recommended
• Chop saw (consider hearing protection)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-14-...345L/205105634
o Blade for wood
o Special blade for non-ferrous metals – works well for aluminum
• Drill press – variable speed
http://www.homedepot.com/p/JET-15-in...4165/203695066
• Cordless drill w/ extra battery and charger
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20...90D2/204210639
• Shop vacuum
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-6-...0670/205144661
• Digital caliper
http://www.homedepot.com/p/General-T...-147/100651811
• Set of Straight, Left & Right tin snips
http://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-Av...-Set/205848745
Advanced – Level 2 - when budget allows
• Everything in Basic plus any/all of the following (portable equipment is advisable if workspace commitment is unsure)
• Taps and tapping wrench (size depends on need)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/TEKTON-In...7558/205544444
• Band saw (consider assortment of blades with different tooth pitch and blade size for straight or curved cuts in various thickness of various materials)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-9-i...S904/100593258
• Dremel-type hobby tool with assorted attachments (cutoff discs, grinding wheels, sanding discs, burrs)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-30...-25H/203040434
• Circular saw (consider hearing protection)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-13-...B125/205216317
• Corded hand drill
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-3-...110K/100634626
• Corded variable speed jig saw
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bosch-6-A...S260/202691138
• Table saw with a 10” minimum blade
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-10-...S10G/205216309
Expert – Level 3 – must have solid financial and facilities support (be wary of electrical requirements)
(only consider upgrades if the need supports programming machines and need for multiple parts)
• Manual vertical milling/drilling machine with digital X, Y, Z readouts
http://grizzly.com/products/Mill-Dri...-and-DRO/G0759
o Could upgrade to CNC mill
• Manual lathe
http://grizzly.com/products/8-x-16-V...ed-Lathe/G0768
o Could upgrade to CNC lathe
• Compressor for pneumatic tooling (pop rivets, die grinder/cutoff tool, brad nailer, stapler)
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-Ca...2002/203162815
Read the rules several times once the game is released and plan to have fun and create a lot of energy within your team during the build/competition season.