Shop tools, any suggestions?

[NoodleKnight]

Hi,

I know it's already build season, but now we have the ability to possibly get a grant for some machine tools.

So far, I read some old threads and decided to try and get a Rong-Fu desktop mill/drill machine. For those who have one, how is it? Would you recommend buying it?

Also, we're looking for a metal band saw, preferably vertical. I found a few but I have no idea how good it is. For year's we've been using a wood bandsaw with a metal cutting blade... it isn't pretty.

We have a drill press, it's old but it still works well. Hand tools are not an issue.

Are there any other tools which would be useful for a robotics team? Note, we do have a price limit, not sure what it is, but we can't ask for radical things like a bridgeport CNC.

Thanks in advance,
Jonathan

[HPA_Robotics_13]

WHS Robotics was at the regional my team attended last year, in Sacramento!

I would suggest getting a miter saw. This is useful for cutting aluminum: such as tubing for a frame.

We love our table saw (although we need a new one) and use it regularly for cutting lexan and polycarbonate as well as aluminum plating. It's also been an integral part of constructing our playing field in the past -- cutting lumber -- but the playing field requires much less carpentry this year (much to our relief).

We also have an oscillating, table beltsander which comes in handy sometimes. It wasn't very expensive at all.

Good luck with your new toys!

[briholton]

Originally Posted by NoodleKnight

...
Are there any other tools which would be useful for a robotics team? Note, we do have a price limit, not sure what it is, but we can't ask for radical things like a bridgeport CNC.

Thanks in advance,
Jonathan

Team 752 has a limited budget as well, but we bought a grizzly lathe, bandsaw and milling machine. We got the smaller, cheap versions of all these since not only is our budget limited, but so is our space. I would not want to use these tools every day to make a living, but for our use, they are fine. Last year we didnt have them, and life was very difficult. You might want to consider something to weld with and a press.

[sanddrag]

First I would recommend a horizontal bandsaw. It is very useful for cutting down long lengths of any size material. We use it more than the vertical. We have also found an arbor press (manual, not hyrdraulic) to be very useful. Also, a cold saw like what they use on American Choppers comes in handy sometimes but they are expensive.

[RonStoppable102]

About the vertical bandsaw, we have one in our shop. From what I've seen, it seems as if it takes alot of skill to get the right cut. It is usyally fine for small cuts on stock material, but whenever I cut somthing over 3" theres always some descrepency, even if I sharpie in a line. Like sanddrag said, I would reccomend a horizontal bandsaw, the one we have is awesome, it takes almost no effort and makes clean cuts. As for other shop tools, we also have a little stationary vertical disc sander/belt sander, that thing is awesome for rounding off sharp things, frehanding curves, ect... Good luck!

[Lucid]

I agree with the table saw and miter saw suggestions. I am our teams shop manager, and we just bought a cheaper mill. Make sure that iff you buy a mill you add in the cost of all the bits/clamps/accesories that wou will need or find out what it comes with them.

Lucid

[DivideByZero]

I'm part of a second year team that got by with a drill and a drill press as our only power tools (everything else was hand tools last year, and we still placed 15th out of 75 at our regional). Having some debate on what to get this year. Would a jig/sabre saw be of any use, in order to cut framing and large sheet metal (I'd imagine a miter saw to be too difficult if the metal is more than 2x the cutting range, and space/cost are major concerns).

[csquared05]

a reciprocating saw may be important at regionals if you find your CG too high or functions worthless. Just gut it, we did it last year. It helped our preformance, but it wasn't our finest year

[russell]

I am trying to convince my team that we need to get at least some basic machine tools, and I am specifically interested in something we can use to machine our own parts for transmissions and such. Where could I find information on this topic, and how much money would I be looking at for just a single machine we can at least control from a computer? (as you can tell I havent the faintest clue what I am talking about)

[NoodleKnight]

Russell, it depends on what you want the machine to do. If anything, the most useful (IMO) machine tool you can get other than a drill press and bandsaw probably is a lathe. Now, for a computer controlled one (CNC), depending on the size and quality, you're probably going to spend quite a bit more than a $1000.

Anyways, can anyone recommend a metal band saw? Vertical and/or horizontal.

[Cory]

Some horizontals will actually flip up and act as vertical bandsaws also.

I imagine they cost far more though.

[Aaron]

the short and sweet list of most used tools that i have needed over the last four years.
-Drill press
-band saw
-18v cordless drill and reciprocating saw
-lathe
-drill mill
-grinder
-sander
-drill bits
-reamers
-file set

(our last three robots have probably been 95% constructed with these tools)

[Dave Campbell]

With the addition of your machining capabilities, don't forget to add some precision measurement equipment. We just added a great team sponsor who distributes SHAN tools:

Allen Design LLC PM me if you need vernier calipers, micrometers, or other products - these are great tools at a VERY affordable price!

[Conor Ryan]

we have constructed a beautiful tool cart this year, see it at trenton, ohio, and atlanta. we are in the process of stocking it up with pretty much an entire tool shop in a cart. We are considering buying a mini lathe, drill press, and/or grinder. but the weight limits on shipping my stop us from getting the stuff.

[james]

Originally Posted by DivideByZero

I'm part of a second year team that got by with a drill and a drill press as our only power tools (everything else was hand tools last year, and we still placed 15th out of 75 at our regional). Having some debate on what to get this year. Would a jig/sabre saw be of any use, in order to cut framing and large sheet metal (I'd imagine a miter saw to be too difficult if the metal is more than 2x the cutting range, and space/cost are major concerns).

Dude The saber is ok but you need to get a chop saw and an 82 tooth carbide blade it will cut aluminum up to 4 in . Jim