Where did your team get its machine tools?

[tiffany34990]

S.P.A.M. (180) has it's industrial mill, lathe, drill press, grinder..
because of gracious donations by Pratt and Whitney. One of our former mentors asked them if we could have them so his name was put on it and now the team has it. If they weren't closing up shops we would still using probably a lot of table top items.

[Mike Martus]

In the beginning ......... team 47 fabricated the robot at Delphi in what was called a lab. Over the years Pontiac Central had taken a greater role and responsibility. Currently, and the last few years, the robots are made at Pontiac Central High School in my Technology lab.

We have several drill presses, a lathe (old 1940) a Bridgeport (very used) several band saws (refurbished), and a new Miller Welder, break, bar folder and grinders. All common metal fabricating machines are 40+ years of age.

Delphi has assisted in several purchases (Bridge Port, Welder and Lathe), however, most of the tools are part of the Vocational Department. Delphi has enriched our students - not just the FIRST Team.

I am proud to say that last year 99% of the robot was manufactured at PCHS at the hands of Students, Engineers, Parents and mentors (teachers, college students). Only one small part was sent for a hole to be wire EDM enlarged - less than $35.00.

[santosh]

We use tools down at Georgia Tech iwth the RoboJackets (our main sponsor). we have a 2 axis CNC mill, band saw, miter saw, hand drills, drill presses, roto-zips, sanders, and other tools.

[Travis Hoffman]

A lot of what Harding High School's shop teacher George Lazar has in his metal shop was donated to Team 48 by Delphi Packard. All of the equipment is very old and heavily used, but George keeps it in good running order. We've donated three Bridgeport mills, a CNC mill, and a bandsaw, among other items. These were all obsolete but perfectly functional items that were sitting around in a warehouse we lovingly called "The Morgue". This place was great. In addition to the old mills and such, there were dozens of old pieces of manufacturing equipment covered in extruded alumimum and Lexan guarding. We used to let the kids go to The Morgue and strip down these machines. They loved bringing back piles of loot every year. Unfortunately, to save money, Delphi auctioned off its excess and obsolete equipment and stopped leasing the Morgue a few years ago. We miss that place.

Moral of the story - a lot of the equipment companies deem "obsolete" is not broken - it is simply outdated technology that would work fine for FIRST teams. It never hurts to ask local businesses if they have such equipment they may be willing to donate or sell at a big discount.

[Rickertsen2]

Ok heres our problem. We have lots of tools, but they are all geared toward woodworking. The only metalworking tools we have are a plate shear, a sheet metal bender and a small(but capable) NC lathe. This year we would really like to get a mill, but we do not have enough money. How have other teams gone about asking local businesses to donate unused tools?

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Rickertsen2

Ok heres our problem. We have lots of tools, but they are all geared toward woodworking. The only metalworking tools we have are a plate shear, a sheet metal bender and a small(but capable) NC lathe. This year we would really like to get a mill, but we do not have enough money. How have other teams gone about asking local businesses to donate unused tools?

Check around with local machine shops, and see if they're replacing any of their equipment. If they're going to junk it, or sell it off, they might give it to you/sell it pretty cheap.