Useful VEX Tools

[Joe Johnson]

Greetings VEX teams,

From working with the Innovation First Isaac system (a.k.a. Edu Robotics kit, Robovation Robotics Kit, VEX Robotics Kit) on my own, from teaching a week long class in Taiwan using the them and from working with my wife & daughter's VEX team (FRV-23), I have listed below some suggestions concerning tools I recommend all VEX teams should buy/acquire.

I will use McMaster.com as my source, but you can easily get these tolls/parts from other sources.

For clarity, I have included links pictures in the message.

Hope this helps.

Please post other tools and tips you have on this forum.

Joe J. (a.k..a “Dr Joe” in FIRST circles)
Robotic Amusements, Inc.



Nut Driver for 8-32 Nuts:
8358A26
Hollow-Shaft Inch Nutdriver Standard, 11/32" Size, 3" Shaft Depth, Green
In stock at $4.52 Each

This tool makes it easier to tighten a nut in close quarters. You can often get this nut driver in places that the wrench just won’t go.

See picture HERE.


Hex Driver for 8-32 Screws:
5497A68
Comfort Grip Ball Driver Long Length, 5/64" Hex, 4-21/64" Blade Length
In stock at $2.33 Each


Hex Driver for 6-32 Motor Screws and Shaft Collar Set Screws:
5497A69
Comfort Grip Ball Driver Long Length, 3/32" Hex, 4-51/64" Blade Length
In stock at $2.39 Each


These two tools save TONS of time when building, repairing, etc. In the pits in Atlanta, you are almost certainly going to be taking your robots apart between rounds for this or that reason. Saving time means you will reduce the general stress level. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

See picture HERE.



Hi Torque Hex L-keys:
71285A151
Hi-Torque L-Key 5/64" Hex, 4" Length
In stock at $0.24 Each

71285A152
Hi-Torque L-Key 3/32" Hex, 4-13/32" Length
In stock at $0.27 Each

These L-keys have a profile that make a significant difference when you are really tightening a screw. They do a much better job of keeping the hex from stripping. These things are cheap. Buy 10 of each of them. Use them until they start to show wear and THROW THEM OUT – you’ll be glad you did. It is better to use fresh tools and not strip a screw. At about a quarter each, it is money well spent.

Regular key on left - Hi-torque key on right,

If you are going to replace motor screws…
96452A144
Torx Button Head Socket Cap Screw Alloy Steel, 6-32 Thread, 1/4" Length
In stock at $12.43 per Pack
See Print HERE


96452A148
Torx Button Head Socket Cap Screw Alloy Steel, 6-32 Thread, 1/2" Length
In stock at $13.16 per Pack
See Print HERE

If I had more time, I would find these screws in stainless steel or with a zinc finish so that it would be easier to sort the motor screws from the 8-32 construction screws, but McMaster only has black oxide finish available.



Torx Driver for Above Screws:
5756A14
Torx Driver Size T10, 3-1/4" Blade Length, 5-5/8" O'all Length
In stock at $3.20 Each

This tool will save time for building and repairs.

See picture HERE.



Torx L-key for Above Screws:
6959A41
Torx L-Key Long Arm, Size T10, 3-3/8" Length
In stock at $0.95 Each



This tool is another one that I would buy several of. Torx tools are nowhere near as likely to round out or strip, so I would perhaps only buy 5 of these where I might by 10 of the similar hex tool.

See picture HERE.



Tools for Torx Motor Screws:
37455A22
Comfort Grip Torx Ball-Point Driver T10 Torx, 2-23/32" Blade Length, 5-3/16" L O'all
In stock at $6.40 Each

This is a nice tool, more expensive, but the ball end feature makes it possible to tighten some screws at “off angles” that you just can’t get to with a normal tool.

See picture HERE.