While I do think that every team should strive to be its best (or
the best depending on your view), do not be discouraged when there are teams with better equipment of better status or better robots than you. Rather than feeling sorry for yourself, feel good for them. I don't let myself get down when I see teams with big dollar sponsors and 17 axis CNC machines. I feel happy for them and even happier for my own team. I'll explain. I feel good that some teams out there have the luxuries of the top dollar. And I also feel good that my team is doing just fine without those luxuries.
A lot of times there isn't really a reason for the way things happen. They just happen. You may try for years to get a couple FLL teams started and another team may have dozens up and running in months. Is this your fault. No. Is the other team better than you. No. The outcome was just different and that is that.
Each team should try hard to be what their own goal is and be proud of that. Before anyone can try to be something their not, they have to take a while to be certain of what they are.
So I guess the bottom line really is, don't try to top other teams, you only have to top yourself.
Now, for your machining troubles, you have a few choices. What we did is seeked the support of a local community college and they have provided us use of their fully equiped machining facilities at no cost for the past two years and again for this coming year.
Another option is to have your own equipment. You can check local auctions or businesses or schools downsizing and hope to score a bargain on some used equipment. There is also always eBay but you never know when or what you'll find or for how much. There is
www.micromark.com which has some really nice and accurate little machines for about $600 apiece. I'm not sure how big of things you need to make but micro machines are worth taking a look at. Last, there is
www.harborfreight.com which sells some machining equipment. It is sloppy but it's cheap and it works.
The last suggestion I can offer is to build your own shop from scrap. It is entirely possible and you can even make the dividing head you wanted. This option will be somewhat difficult and very time consuming but the end result will be very rewarding.
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