"Essential Tools"

[neoshaakti]

Originally Posted by 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 .


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)

would a soldering iron be absolutely necessary? can u give me an example of a time when u've used a soldering iron when building the robot
would u crimp or solder when attaching wires to a vector

thanks

[EricH]

Originally Posted by neoshaakti

would a soldering iron be absolutely necessary? can u give me an example of a time when u've used a soldering iron when building the robot
would u crimp or solder when attaching wires to a vector

thanks

Usually those wires are crimped to connectors, which attach to the Victor. However, there are times when soldering is necessary, such as when working on sensors that don't have their own PWM cable. You need to attach the cable somehow, and I don't think there are any crimps that small.

Also, see what team members have available for team use for a season. This can cut down on immediate cost for tools, allowing you to steadily build up your stock as funds become available.

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by neoshaakti

would a soldering iron be absolutely necessary? can u give me an example of a time when u've used a soldering iron when building the robot
would u crimp or solder when attaching wires to a vector

thanks

No, it is not absolutely necessary unless you have sensors; generally, a sensor will only have lugs or eyelets to solder a wire to. For Victors, I would recommend crimping; with the size of some of those connectors/wires your average soldering iron may have trouble heating it up causing a cold solder joint -> very bad. One of our team members actually has a 200W soldering iron, but we still don't solder Victor wires, crimps are much quicker and (assuming they are done well) are equivalently reliable.

[Gabe]

These are the tools that I always carry in my pockets; at school, in competition. They never leave me and no one else can use them (unless I am watching):

-Regular pliers (non slip-joint) with wire clippers and heavy wire cutting notches on the side.
-6 inch long crescent wrench.
-6-in-1 double ended screwdriver
-10 foot metal tape measure
-Folding Allen key set, inches.

The pliers are also used as a hammer and clamp, the screwdriver without bits is also a 5/16" and 1/4" nutdriver, the Allen key set is a set of pin punches. MAny other uses as well.

[whytheheckme]

Originally Posted by neoshaakti

would a soldering iron be absolutely necessary? can u give me an example of a time when u've used a soldering iron when building the robot
would u crimp or solder when attaching wires to a vector

thanks

A Soldering Iron is pretty much an essential. From shrinking heat-shrink tubing to permanently fixing on connectors in high stress areas to etching your team number into a plastic toolbox (jp), it is really a very useful tool.

You can pick up a soldering iron for as little as 5 bucks (I've gotten them for a dollar or free from school events (IEEE)), and it can make the last minute save for many things.

Jacob

[DonRotolo]

For the electrical world:

Solderless terminal crimping pliers - but spend the extra money to buy a ratcheting crimper (about $40), that way every crimp will be perfect.

Cutting pliers (able to cut up to #6 wire, which is about the thickness of a pencil) aka 'diagonal pliers'

Good needle-nose pliers

Good stripping tool. Ideally the "automatic" strippers, which have a spring-loaded system to grip and cut the insulation, not the cheap kind that looks like pliers, nor the 'self-adjusting' kind.

Cheap soldering iron plus solder - $10 at Radio Shack, 25 watts. And please, always wash your hands with soap and water after touching solder!

For the rest:

Safety Goggles - at least one pair for every person. Get the good ones, like the $6 ones at Harbor Freight that have the cord to hold them around your neck. CHEAP goggles are AWFUL to wear and use, and nobody will WANT to use them. Decent goggles are not even noticed, fit over glasses, and you can forget that you have them on - everyone will be willing to use these.

Hearing protection - even cheap foam ear plugs. Don't damage your hearing just yet, wait for college at least... A few double-cord dust masks (the kind with 2 rubber bands, not just one) for every time anyone is making dust. Believe me, if you think tobacco is bad for your lungs, try lexan. Several pairs of cotton work gloves.

Plus hacksaws (and blades), files (flat, round, half-round), drill bits (up to 1/2", plus a few uni-bits), an electric drill, tape measures & rulers, sharpie markers, a center punch, a scratch awl, masking tape, wrenches (as mentioned previously), a ball-peen hammer, a rubber or plastic mallet, a bench vice (as large as you can afford), ratchet or C-clamps in several sizes, a chain breaker for #35 chain, a razor knife, a hot-melt glue gun and glue sticks, screwdrivers in seveal sizes (flat, philips), decent protractor...

That's a good partial list.

Note that there is NO Duct Tape on the list, there's a reason for that.

Don

[lukevanoort]

Originally Posted by Don Rotolo

a hot-melt glue gun and glue sticks

Darn! I can't believe I forgot that, most of my team thinks I'd build the entire robot out of hot glue if I could! On a similar note, you should probably get some Loctite for vibration proofing bolted connections, and epoxy (clay and liquid kind) for quick fixes at competition or just general adhering needs.

[whytheheckme]

Originally Posted by Rapt0r9

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.

Beware! Banebots stuff is all metric!

Just a little FYI. The english will fit, but strip it.

Jacob

[Simon Strauss]

I am surprised nobody has mentioned this yet but the single most useful tool to have during the robotics season is a Leatherman (or an equivalent multi-tool from another company). I suggest that at least a few of your members carry multi-tools with them at all times because, even though they are not the most effective tools for the individual components they have, the ability to carry all of those items with you is priceless.

If students possessing knives on school property is an issue for you like it is with us i suggest the Leatherman Knifeless Fuse http://www.leatherman.com/products/t...se/default.asp which team mates of mine and I carry.


Hope this helps
Simon Strauss
1155

[Uberbots]

Originally Posted by whytheheckme

Beware! Banebots stuff is all metric!

Just a little FYI. The english will fit, but strip it.

Jacob

So is the andymark stuff... we had a nightmare the other night finding metric tools for our dual shifter

I don't know if anyone else has mentioned this, but another thing you will need at a ready supply are hex wrenches and bondhuses. Our robot has a standard of 7/16 everything, and that was always the only hex wrench missing. So stock up on like 50 of your team standard to avoid tool hunting when your robot breaks 5 minutes before your final match (=

[Billfred]

One other thing that I find myself relying upon more and more: a rivet tool. You can get one for $15 or $20, usually with rivets. For holding certain parts of the robot together, you can't beat it.

[ChuckDickerson]

Essential Hand Tools:
-Wrenches (7/16, 1/2, 9/16 mostly)
-Socket Set - The 1/4" size ratchet set w/ 7/16 & 1/2 sockets are the most used. If you ever need a 1/2" ratchet on a FIRST robot you probably need to rethink something.
-Screwdrivers - All sizes and types. Two or three of the more common types.
-Pliers (needlenose mostly for us over regular type but get both or a cheap set)
-Hex Key (Allen) Wrenches - We use the T handle type mostly in the shop and take the little foldup sets to comp.
-Ball Peen Hammer - use sparingly
-Wire Cutters
-Wire Strippers
-Crimp Tools for all those wire terminals you will learn to hate.
-Metal Files
-Deburring Tool A.K.A "Whirly-gig" - Be careful it will jump out of that hole when you look up and there goes the end of your finger!

Don't forget things to measure other things with:
-Tape Measure
-Ruler
-Digital Calipers are pretty handy

Clamps, lots of clamps, you can NEVER have too many clamps! We find good old C-clamps (4", 5", & 6") and those ViseGrip type clamps to be the most useful.

We also find rivet guns (both small (1/8" & 3/16) and large (1/4")) to be quite useful.

A few center punches. Once you start using one you will never know how you got along without one. Harbor Freight is your friend here. You can get them for a couple of bucks each. Get several because you won't be able find the one and only one you have under the mess on your work table about the beginning of February. A set of transfer punches are pretty handy as well. In fact Harbor Freight is a good place to get a lot of the above hand tools cheap.

There are special tools you will want for working with roller chain. A "chain breaker" will "break" a link in the chain to make two pieces. A "chain pincher" is pretty helpful to stretch the chain together like a third hand so that it is much easier to put the master link in.

You will probably be building at least a some part of the game field to practice on. Don't forget typical woodworking tools:
-Handsaw
-Claw Hammer
-Square
-Level
-A PVC cutter is usually helpful for something every year.

While you are building that practice field cut some short wood blocks about 6" to 8" long cut from a scrap 4"x4". Keep them near your robot build table. You will figure out what they are for the first time you want to test your new drivetrain on the table. Usually 4 of them will do the trick.

The basic power tools you should try to get if at all possible:
-Cordless Drill (w/ charger, extra battery(s), and a big box of drill bits)
-Drill Press (w/ another big box of drill bits)
-BandSaw (w/ several extra blades on hand for cutting aluminum)
-Miter Saw (yep, it will cut aluminum but be careful)
-Circular Saw

-Power tools that every team would love to have but few do:
-Milling Machine (CNC or manual)
-Metal Lathe
-Welder setup for aluminum

Power Tools that you might could use but can do without:
-Table Saw
-Air Compressor (Useful for blowing all the bits out of your robot before you power it up.)

[EricH]

Whoa there, guys, information overload! In addition to the often-repeated tools (which are probably the ones needed), this is a first-year team. I can't keep straight whether a tool has or hasn't been mentioned (though I know I missed the measuring tools--didn't think of those as tools). I think DeepWater has about as complete a list as you can find, categorized by type. Maybe we should let them sift through the info and decide what to get now and what to wait on until it is needed.

[=Martin=Taylor=]

Originally Posted by DeepWater

-Welder setup for aluminum

Originally Posted by EricH

Whoa there, guys, information overload! In addition to the often-repeated tools (which are probably the ones needed), this is a first-year team.

Yes, buying a welder is very expensive and you'll need a lot of practice - so its probably not a great idea to buy one.

But I HIGHLY encourage you to seek out a welding sponsor for your team.

Finding a welding sponsor is really easy. I know that in 2006 I just asked our local auto-repair shop if they could weld our robot and they were happy to do it free of charge. Welding can vastly speed up the build process and increase the quality of your robot. If you get your frame welded you can save weight on all the fasteners, and you don't have to worry about the structure of your robot coming loose.

[Blue_Mist]

Funny how no one else mentioned it, but you will also need a space and an organization system to put it all. Trust me and our team's previously-disaster area Closet, after a few years stuff really begins to build up and clutter and dust begin to reign freely. Sorting years' worth of lost and abandoned drill bits from five or more sets is really not fun, especially when you and a couple of friends are the only ones without a major robot project on your hands :cough: freshman year :cough: