Tool Suggestions

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by geomapguy

So we're currently getting ready for the upcoming build season. What tools should we try to get with a budget of around $400.

Tools we have in our shop:
14" metal cutoff saw
Bench top drill press
Other basic hand tools

We have limited access to:
Mill
Lathe
Bandsaw

Does anyone know of a mini mill for aluminum that's in our price range? Or maybe a similar metal cutting tool that can handle side loads?

-Graham

You could find a mini-mill on craigslist in that vicinity, but it will need some elbow grease to get it running and you'll have to wait for the right one to show up because there are lot more garbage mill/drills than decent ones. If you have a drill press I think a tabletop lathe is more useful and you can definitely get a decent tabletop lathe for $400 on Craigslist. I would stay away from precision tools from HF -- when buying new you generally get what you pay for.

[Seth Mallory]

When you buy new power tools this late you should plan on the set up and training time. Our team has for years tried to have all new tools working by Dec 1.

[Crazy Li]

How much raw materials does a frc team need during a regular build season? (For example, amount of money, which materials are needed, and how to get them?)

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by Crazy Li

How much raw materials does a frc team need during a regular build season? (For example, amount of money, which materials are needed, and how to get them?)

Well you are going to need a good amount of aluminum and maybe even some lexan.

I suggest contacting Johnson Controls and JemTech Machine shop in Middleton.

http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/
http://www.jemtechmachine.com/

They seem to have machining capabilities. These could be sources for materials and mentorship.

[Qbot2640]

Originally Posted by Crazy Li

How much raw materials does a frc team need during a regular build season? (For example, amount of money, which materials are needed, and how to get them?)

We spoke with a local metal salvage company who told us that they periodically are asked to "clean up" materials from bankrupt companies, and thus have brand new raw material (aluminum, steel, etc.) to dispose of. They offered to donate anything they have that we can use. Perhaps you can find a situation like that.

[Crazy Li]

Thanks, how much aluminum is needed and what size should we get?

[mlantry]

Originally Posted by Crazy Li

Thanks, how much aluminum is needed and what size should we get?

well it depends on what capabilities you have for cutting aluminum for the thickness. for are team we usually buy some 1*1 aluminum box along with some sheets of varying thicknesses of aluminum.

[Crazy Li]

We have the capability to cut thick Al, but for the frame, is 2x1 better than 1x1 Al? And how thick of a Lexan do you think we need?

[mlantry]

Originally Posted by Crazy Li

We have the capability to cut thick Al, but for the frame, is 2x1 better than 1x1 Al? And how thick of a Lexan do you think we need?

It's dependent on your construction methods for what type of box and for Lexan we usually keep some 1/16th and 1/8 on hand

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by mlantry

It's dependent on your construction methods for what type of box and for Lexan we usually keep some 1/16th and 1/8 on hand

I suggest you talk to a local company and see what they have. Our first two years we built with wood without even knowing that we had a local company that extruded aluminum for shipping across the world.

[Brandon Zalinsky]

Originally Posted by geomapguy

I suggest you talk to a local company and see what they have. Our first two years we built with wood without even knowing that we had a local company that extruded aluminum for shipping across the world.

It is very dependent on your situation, but just as an example, we keep lots of .060 and .090 on hand. We also have some .125, and a bit of .25, and very little of anything thicker, save a few blocks. We've found that sheet metal is a more efficient and strong than lexan, and use it for most things on our robot.

[geomapguy]

Originally Posted by Seth Mallory

When you buy new power tools this late you should plan on the set up and training time. Our team has for years tried to have all new tools working by Dec 1.

We're planning on doing something like this. Thanks for the advice