Recommended Tools and Machinery for Your Team's Machine Shop

[Phyrxes]

We have two miter or "chop" saws in our shop. One has an aluminum cutting blade in it and is used constantly, the other is our older saw that now sports a ferrous cutting disk to handle any steel we might use. The second saw is not used very much now that we have transitioned to using 7075 aluminum rod instead of the hardened steel rod we used in the past.

[sanddrag]

I'd recommend a saw such as the Rage Evolution over a horizontal bandsaw. A vertical bandsaw is nice to have though.

Do you have sufficient computers for programming and CAD? Cords and outlet strips?

Do you have a good solid workbench and vise?

Do you have storage? Shelving, container bins, and parts organizers?

Keyway and hex broaches are nice to have, as well as an arbor press.

A 7/8 and a 1 1/8 TCT hole cutter might be good, depending on what bearings you use, and what material you put them in.

I see a lathe as one of the first major investments to make.

[BrendanB]

We purchased a mini benchtop lathe this past season. Our shop also has limited resources since it was setup as a woodshop and not necessarily a metal shop like some of our neighbors have. Band saw (horizontal and vertical), miter saw, table saw, drill press (small and large), large lathe (for wood only), and a small CNC that we use for plastics and sometimes metal but it takes time.

Before dishing out a lot of money for tools and fancy machines your team should sit down and ask what type of capabilities would you like to have and would you use them effectively. It would be a shame to invest a ton of money into tools and machines you won't use. Tools also don't make winning robots or better robots. I know of a few teams who have resources in their highschools one can only dream of and yet they haven't made eliminations in several years. The tools you listed are the same I used on my old team and we produced some very good robots with a few parts outsourced to local shops.

For us the mini lathe was a great investment especially with making roller parts this past season. I'd recommend it but its not a must have.

Good luck!

[Jetweb]

For our team the most used tools we actually have in our shop are our vertical bandsaw and drill presses. Next for us is having access to a good quality mill and lathe which is essential when you get into fabricating drive trains and mechanisms. Our team has been lucky and been able to utilize sponsors equipment so we didn't need to buy our own. Other tools we have and often use are our arbor press, belt/disk sander, heat gun (for bending pvc and plastic), and chop saw.

In the category of tools that we have and don't use is a large harbor freight combination mill/lathe that we rarely use since it is just awkward to work with, instead we end up using our sponsors equipment.

[ksafin]

Also, are cut-off saws specifically used for metal cutting? We've been using a miter saw to cut our aluminum.

What's the benefit of purchasing a cut-off saw?

[Phyrxes]

I believe the lathe we purchased was this one.

The bandsaw gets a lot of use, especially as we fabricate more and more pieces from stock. Having a horizontal bandsaw over a vertical one means you aren't limited by the length of stock that will fit between the throat and the blade.

A table saw is handy for ripping bumper plywood, prototyping, and constructing low cost field elements but isn't necessary as a circular saw can accomplish the tasks. We have both, but our table saw is a Dewalt "worksite" one that can be stored out of the way when not needed.

The only other hand held power tool that comes to mind is a right angle drill, especially if you use rivets and have to drill out one that is in a inconvenient space.

[Phyrxes]

For any decision on tooling purchases we start with two questions:
1. Does this potential purchase increase our in house manufacturing ability or does it simply replace or supplement existing equipment?

2. Does one of our sponsors grant us access to machine time on this already?

[ksafin]

Budget Aside, I wanted to get your input on my ideas about a few new tools to buy..

Here's a list:

Rolling Cabinet 30" $150 http://www.harborfreight.com/11-draw...fQ%3D%3D%0D%0A

16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw $64.99; $59.99 with coupon. http://www.harborfreight.com/16-inch...saw-93012.html

Combination 4" x 36" Belt / 6" Disc Sander $79.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...der-97181.html

3-1/2 HP 14" Industrial Cut-off saw $99.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/3-12-hp...saw-68104.html

18 V Cordless Jigsaw $29.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...saw-68242.html
1 ton Arbor Press $47.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-a...ress-3552.html

Horizontal/Vertical Metal-Cutting bandsaw $249.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/horizon...saw-93762.html

115 Piece High speed drill bit set $35.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/115-pie...index-528.html

Automatic Center Punch $2.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/spring-...punch-621.html

130 Piece Tool Kit with Case $34.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/130-pie...ase-68998.html

6" digital Caliper w/ Fractional & metric readings $24.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/6-digit...ngs-68304.html

10 Piece Diamond Grit File Set $7.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/10-pc-d...sets-6989.html

7" Wire Stripper w/ cutter $4.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-...ter-98410.html

Ratcheting Crimping Tool $9.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/ratchet...ool-97420.html

Soldering Station $19.96 http://www.amazon.com/Soldering-Stat...4412642&sr=1-2

60 Piece Alloy Steel Tap/Die Set Metric & SAE Fractional $39.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/60-piec...set-35407.html

10 Rolls 3/4" x 60 ft Electrical Tape $4.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/interes...tape-6047.html

12 in Ratchet Bar/Clamp Spreader $3.49 http://www.harborfreight.com/interes...der-46807.html

5 gallon wet/dry vacuum blower $44.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-...wer-94282.html

3 Piece Folding Hex Key Set $6.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...eys-94905.html

22 Piece SAE & Metric Combination Wrench Set $17.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...set-47467.html

Multi-purpose Workbench with Lighting & Outlets $99.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/multipu...let-99681.html

Workbench w/ 4 drawers, 60" hardwood $159.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch...nch-93454.html

7" x 12" Precision Mini-Lathe $699.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-...the-93799.html

16 Speed Heavy Duty Floor Drill Press $279.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-...ess-43378.html

[Mk.32]

The amount of harbor freight I see on that list somewhat worries me... Personally I would avoid HF for any tool that need to be powered, but there are people that have gotten good deals with Hf.

[Patrick Flynn]

Originally Posted by ksafin

Budget Aside, I wanted to get your input on my ideas about a few new tools to buy..

Here's a list:
16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw $64.99; $59.99 with coupon. http://www.harborfreight.com/16-inch...saw-93012.html
3-1/2 HP 14" Industrial Cut-off saw $99.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/3-12-hp...saw-68104.html
18 V Cordless Jigsaw $29.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...saw-68242.html

When would your team use these tools? If you can't think of a time that you think you would use these tools most likely they wouldn't end up getting used. It seems to be that if you are building your robot out of metal components that the Scroll saw and Jigsaw might go unused. But if you think that these would be used in the prototyping phase then they would be good purchases.

Originally Posted by ksafin

115 Piece High speed drill bit set $35.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/115-pie...index-528.html
130 Piece Tool Kit with Case $34.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/130-pie...ase-68998.html
60 Piece Alloy Steel Tap/Die Set Metric & SAE Fractional $39.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/60-piec...set-35407.html
3 Piece Folding Hex Key Set $6.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-to...eys-94905.html

I think that while this is a good list of tools that your team may use i would recommend considering what tools you used last season or wished that you many have.

The list above are some on the tools I wonder if you would actually use. IMO having a full set of taps and dies aren't needed. There are very few times in FIRST where i have even considered using a die to be necessary. And while in some rare cases it might be useful to have a full tap set why not buy multiples of the few sizes that your team uses. If you only use 1/4 20 hardware the other sized taps would be unnecessary.

I would say the same thing about the multi-tool and allen wrench sets if you think that your team may use all these different tools than this would not be a bad purchase, but i think you could better spend your money having more than one of the sizes that you use most often. Nothing is worse than losing the one needed wrench size, and having to make due.

Originally Posted by ksafin

Multi-purpose Workbench with Lighting & Outlets $99.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/multipu...let-99681.html
Workbench w/ 4 drawers, 60" hardwood $159.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/60-inch...nch-93454.html

Lastly the work benches, I think that your team could built much cheaper ones that would better fit your work space. Buying some 2x4's and making some tables could be a fun team activity allowing some newer members to get acquainted to your teams tools and or shop.

[CalTran]

I don't believe this stuff has been mentioned, but how's your electrical tools looking? A good soldering iron, pair of sharp diagonal cutters, auto strippers, and preferably an ideal crimper will alleviate most of your electrical worries in season.

As well, if you don't have a budget set aside for this, make sure before you go buying stuff you might use, that you replenish stock of materials you did use and probably will use.

[ksafin]

Originally Posted by Patrick Flynn

When would your team use these tools? If you can't think of a time that you think you would use these tools most likely they wouldn't end up getting used. It seems to be that if you are building your robot out of metal components that the Scroll saw and Jigsaw might go unused. But if you think that these would be used in the prototyping phase then they would be good purchases.

Jigsaw: we've found that a jigsaw is a great tool to have for anything, really. We'll definitely use it for field construction, and it's also very useful for prototyping with cardboard and wood.

Scroll Saw: We would really like to get one in order to cut polycarbonate and various other plastics and thin sheets into shapes that aren't accommodated by straight-line cutting saws.

Originally Posted by Patrick Flynn

I think that while this is a good list of tools that your team may use i would recommend considering what tools you used last season or wished that you many have.

The list above are some on the tools I wonder if you would actually use. IMO having a full set of taps and dies aren't needed. There are very few times in FIRST where i have even considered using a die to be necessary. And while in some rare cases it might be useful to have a full tap set why not buy multiples of the few sizes that your team uses. If you only use 1/4 20 hardware the other sized taps would be unnecessary.

I would say the same thing about the multi-tool and allen wrench sets if you think that your team may use all these different tools than this would not be a bad purchase, but i think you could better spend your money having more than one of the sizes that you use most often. Nothing is worse than losing the one needed wrench size, and having to make due.

That's true. We used 1/4 20 taps a lot last season and we just figured maybe having a whole set would be helpful and not constrict us - if we had other bolts we wanted to use, then we could, etc.

As far as Allen wrench sets, we mostly use 5/32 and 1/4 but I haven't really seen a place where we can just buy a load of 5/32 allen wrenches or something. So sets made sense.[/quote]

Originally Posted by Patrick Flynn

Lastly the work benches, I think that your team could built much cheaper ones that would better fit your work space. Buying some 2x4's and making some tables could be a fun team activity allowing some newer members to get acquainted to your teams tools and or shop.

That's definitely true. We'll keep that in mind. Good idea.

Originally Posted by CalTran

I don't believe this stuff has been mentioned, but how's your electrical tools looking? A good soldering iron, pair of sharp diagonal cutters, auto strippers, and preferably an ideal crimper will alleviate most of your electrical worries in season.

As well, if you don't have a budget set aside for this, make sure before you go buying stuff you might use, that you replenish stock of materials you did use and probably will use.

In the list I included a soldering station, strippers, and a crimper

Yes, replenishing metals & other materials we'll use comes before our tools budget.

[dcarr]

Originally Posted by ksafin

As far as Allen wrench sets, we mostly use 5/32 and 1/4 but I haven't really seen a place where we can just buy a load of 5/32 allen wrenches or something. So sets made sense.

You can buy a bunch pretty cheap from McMaster Carr.

In fact, we gave out bundles of them wrapped in a bow as alliance gifts last year (our PR lead came up with this )

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Mk.32

The amount of harbor freight I see on that list somewhat worries me... Personally I would avoid HF for any tool that need to be powered, but there are people that have gotten good deals with Hf.

I gotta agree here. We purchased quite a lot of machines and tools this offseason but we made sure not to skimp on the power tools and machines. You don't want to risk quality, robustness, and most importantly safety just because something is cheaper.

If you are on a low budget and are allowed to purchase items online, check out ebay and craigslist. We found some great deals on Craftsman tools on craigslist and plenty of older drillpresses and bandsaws on there as well. Occasionally, you'll find a solid and well priced lathe or mill, but you have to jump on those pretty quick. Tool chests can also be found from Snap-on and Crafstman for around $300-500 on CL.

Don't think you need to purchase everything in one season for your build space. Make a few compromises now for what you'll have in-house so that you may purchase more high quality items and substitute things like mills/lathes by contacting local machine shops. You can always purchase more items as you go along and raise more money.

[Cory]

Sadly Craftsman is not all that much higher on the totem pole than Harbor Freight anymore.