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Unread 26-06-2016, 02:58
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TheModMaster8 TheModMaster8 is offline
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FRC #5492 (Robo Jockeys)
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Rookie Year: 2009
Location: USA, Kentucky
Posts: 119
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Re: Essential/Useful Mechanical Skills

I'm going to preface this by saying that most skills can't be obtained within that short of a time frame... You may learn how to "do" it, but that doesn't mean you will be effective at it. Moving on to the more helpful part.

After 6 years of being on the fab/mechanical team, I would recommend:
  • learning how to properly, and effectively use a hand drill. This helps tremendously when building/making anything, especially prototypes.

  • The difference between to tight, and to loose, when referring to nuts & bolts (this applies to parts and fitting as well.)

  • How to follow the path of a contour of a design when using the bandsaw.

  • (personal pet peeve of mine...) Put tools back where they belong when you are finished with them!!! (not really a skill though).

  • Learning the sounds the machines make when they run correctly, and more important, when they crash, fail, or overall mess up. You will almost always get some audible sound a few seconds to a second, before the machine decides to commit suicide.

  • develop/practice using both hands when creating. Don't stick to just your dominate side being able to switch between hands makes working on any project easier.
These are the few things I would recommend you work on, as well as they other suggestions mentioned above.
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2009-2011: (FLL) Robot Builder / Operator
2012: (FRC Team 2783) Fabrication / HumanPlayer / FLL Ref
2013: (FRC Team 2783) Fabrication / HumanPlayer / FLL Ref
2014: (FRC Team 2783) Fabrication Student Lead / HumanPlayer / FLL Ref
2015: (FRC Team 2783) Fab Student, Teacher / HumanPlayer / Backup Driver / FLL Ref / FLL Mentor of 6 Teams
2016: (FRC Team 5492) Fabrication Student Lead / Driver / FLL Mentor of Crestwood Elementary
Past Alliance:(2783, 1208, 4154)(2783, 1002, 4265)(2783, 1182, 3868)(2783, 451, 4028)(2783, 1208!, 1288)(5492, 63, 1014) I Will Never Forget


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