What machines are you using? (CNC, lathes, mills, 3-in-1 machines?)

[[527]phil]

Well my team only has 2 drill presses, a band saw and a grinder. But in my personal arsenal I have 2 drill presses (one tabletop craftsman, and a 5 foot tall South bend) a south bend lathe, a MAX nc 3 axis CNC mill with a rotary table. as well as a MIG welder. Between the tools at the robotics shop, and my personal machines we've been able to make anything we need. I'd say keep the south bend lathes, south bend machines were the Cadillacs of the machining industry when they came out. The lathe I have now was one of the original lathes my uncle had in his machine shop way back in the day. I don't know about the Bridgeport mill, because I've never used one. however my uncle told me many storied about those CNC machines with the Tape Readers , I think those machines scarred him for life.

About the CNC machines, their not always the way to go. I would not recommend that little CNC mill i have to anyone, it's too picky and doesn't work properly a lot of the time. The only brand that i would recommend to anyone would have to be HAAS, I've used some of their machines and i don't have any complaints; except for the fact that the coolant hoses on their CNC lathes tend to burst when you reposition them, not a very good feeling situation

From my experience in FIRST (Last year of HS already ) is that all you really need is a hacksaw, a handrill, and a strage shaped piece of heavy wood to make a robot that can win. So as of now your wayy ahead of the game.