"Essential Tools"

[d25inferno]

Hi I am a member of team 2554 and as pre-rookies we want to know what some "essential tools" for FIRST are. By this I mean tools that are most likely to be used during the building process. All help is appreciated...

[Stuart]

hex driver
alen wrench
chop saw
electric screwdriver
hand screwdriver
file
hammer

I think thats the BARE minimum.

edit: laptop. yeah as a programmer to not put this in I should be taken out the back and "decompiled".

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Stuart

hex driver
alen wrench
chop saw
electric screwdriver
hand screwdriver
file
hammer

I think thats the BARE minimum.

That's a set of allen wrenches, set of sockets, multiple screwdrivers in various sizes...Sometimes, you need more than one of an item. The electric screwdriver (AKA cordless drill) is a must-have item, preferably with more than one and extra batteries. Throw in a hacksaw and vise for good measure. Oh, and a crescent (adjustable) wrench, for those odd-sized bolts/missing sockets.

Laptop should be on the list (or any computer), as long as it can run your programming program at a decent speed.
Drill bits, for putting holes in material using the drill.
SAFETY GLASSES. Stay safe in the shop and have one per team member plus a few extra. Make sure people wear them. You don't want to have someone lose an eye, especially in your first year.

Here's all you REALLY need (IMO):

Hammer
Zip Ties
Pliers
Power Drill (with various bits)
Hack Saw
Band Saw
Wrench Set
Allen Wrench Set
Wire Cutters
Wire Crimper
Hammer
A good working spirit

[wilmo]

BAND SAW, at home, not on the road

[d25inferno]

Thanks a lot guys you've been great help so far! Sorry but I also forgot to add:

How much do you think a first year team would have to spend on supplies?

We are thinking of getting some materials on Black Friday

[neoshaakti]

Originally Posted by EricH

That's a set of allen wrenches, set of sockets, multiple screwdrivers in various sizes...Sometimes, you need more than one of an item. The electric screwdriver (AKA cordless drill) is a must-have item, preferably with more than one and extra batteries. Throw in a hacksaw and vise for good measure. Oh, and a crescent (adjustable) wrench, for those odd-sized bolts/missing sockets.

Laptop should be on the list (or any computer), as long as it can run your programming program at a decent speed.
Drill bits, for putting holes in material using the drill.
SAFETY GLASSES. Stay safe in the shop and have one per team member plus a few extra. Make sure people wear them. You don't want to have someone lose an eye, especially in your first year.

this may be a minor detail, but for a allen wrench, should we get the inches one of the metric one?
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...0053&langId=-1

[EricH]

Originally Posted by d25inferno

Thanks a lot guys you've been great help so far! Sorry but I also forgot to add:

How much do you think a first year team would have to spend on supplies?

We are thinking of getting some materials on Black Friday

What type of supplies? Tools? Or materials to build the robot?

For tools: Not knowing how much the power tools generally cost, I'd say about $100-$200 for hand tools. Possibly more.

Oh, and I forgot one tool: a tap set, but only if you are planning to make your own threaded holes without using self-tapping screws.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by neoshaakti

this may be a minor detail, but for a allen wrench, should we get the inches one of the metric one?
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...0053&langId=-1

Both, unless you are planning to set and stick to a standard on your team. Even then, there is a chance that you will need the other set.

[Rapt0r9]

Really, you don't need very much.
(In order of Importance)

Safety Equipment (Always a must have. This includes a first aid kit and goggles.)
Wrench Set (You'll probably only need the 1/4, 3/8s, 7/16s, 1/2, and 9/16 wrenches)
Screw Driver Set
Drill (With assorted bits and spare battery)
Hacksaw
Electrical Crimper/Stripper/Cutter (It is better to have individual tools for each, but the all in one does work)
Pliers (Both standard and Needle-nose)
Allen Keys (Depends on what hardware you use, you may find these unnecessary)
Chain Breaker (Surprised nobody said this yet)
Hammer
Computer (If you have to, you could use the default code, but writing your own program is defiantly a good idea.)
Vise
Clamps (Vise grips are great)
Tap Set (Optional, but makes life easier)


I didn't mention any hardware, but stuff like assorted nuts and bolts are good to have around. Zip ties are invaluable as well as electrical tape (for insulating only). Also don't forget things like wire and crimps.

Out of all of that I could probably get by with just the first 6 items. It would take a while to get things done and working would be much harder than it needs to be, but it is doable.

[zakk]

exactly, i mean recently 5/32 is a magic number in FIRST but you never know when you need to disassemble a motor or something and need metric tools because it was assembled in another country.

i would definately go with a:
hammer
chop saw
good gloves (having flying metal embed itself in your arm is fun and all but gets old fast)
hex key set
taps
safety glasses
face shield
cordless drill (at least 2 batteries)
hack saw
screw driver
drill bits (drivers)
drill bits (for making holes)
computer for running programs
zip ties
electrical tape
wire cutters
crimpers
wire strippers
soldering iron
solder
duct tape

thats all i can think of for now

and always be open minded, and always think outside of the box
(thats the best tool you can have)

[d25inferno]

What type of supplies? Tools? Or materials to build the robot?

Both would be nice but for now tools is our primary focus, thank you!

[Richard Wallace]

I surprised no one has mentioned this so far: if you cut metal stock to make parts for your robot, you will need a selection of files to remove the sharp edges. If you cut large holes in metal stock (to save weight or to provide access to things on the other side) then you will probably also need a deburring tool, for the same reason.

[Rapt0r9]

Originally Posted by neoshaakti

this may be a minor detail, but for a allen wrench, should we get the inches one of the metric one?
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...0053&langId=-1

We stopped bring metric with us years ago. All the hardware we use is SAE. If you are going to buy just one set, make sure you buy the hardware to go with it. e.g. Don't buy an SAE key set then and metric hex head bolts.

I don't believe there is anything in the KOP, at least from last year, that was metric, so SAE should be a safe choice.

[lukevanoort]

A soldering iron, wire crimpers and strippers are very important to have for electrical work (not to mention their important uses for the juvenile humor that comes out after midnight). Although not necessary, a miter saw comes in very handy as does a drill press. A big bolt cutter and a deburring tool can be very useful too. A pop rivet gun and rivets can come in quite handy too. A Dremel can also come in handy, but most of its functions have already been covered by other tools mentioned in this thread. Oh, and get some hole saw bits, you'll need them for swiss cheesing the robot the day prior to ship .

Originally Posted by EricH

Both, unless you are planning to set and stick to a standard on your team. Even then, there is a chance that you will need the other set.

I'd definitely get both. Even if you don't intend to use metric, FIRST may supply something that uses metric.

As for raw materials, you cannot go wrong with a bit of 1"x1" 1/8" wall thickness square 6061 aluminum tube, some 10AWG copper wire, white lithium grease, and various nuts and bolts. I'd be wary of stocking up on materials though--you never know what may become against the rules next year. (I'd say the chance of FIRST banning aluminum tubes, wire, grease, or bolts is pretty small though)