Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Hill
I've never been a fan of multi-tools for robotics. The idea seems nice, but all the tools they come with are never really the right tool you need. I see more people fight with them in haste to use one, but I can usually find the right tool for the job quicker than they can get a "yeah...it'll do the job...if you really try" tool out. I'd really only find maybe the knife to be decently useful, but at that point, just get a nice purpose-built pocket knife.
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Ironically, I agree in a lot of ways. I find myself using the plyers, knives (2x), files (2x) and occasionally the bit driver. So in total 6 out of the 21(?) tools on the thing. Not too many. It's not going to replace real tools. But having a bunch of options all folded nicely into your pocket can be a big help at competition for the quick, less than ideal, fixes and tweaks.
It also depends on the tool a lot. I use a charge tti which happens to have a lot of the tools that I find useful in a pit. The bit driver is nice. We use a lot of 8-32 and 10-32 hardware, and I have a hex insert that has the appropriate sizes for those depending on which way it is inserted. Not as nice as a T handle, but better than finding yourself empty handed.
Knowing when it's to tool to grab is certainly key. I think the excitement of getting to use the new tool may be a bit of what you are seeing. Once that wears off I see lots of people who have a leatherman in their pocket and are smart enough to grab the t handle that is right in front of them.
~DK