Essential Electrical Tools

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Jamie Kalb

It's essential to have a crimper, unless you want to solder everything (is this even legal/viable for FRC?). I'd highly recommend a ratcheting crimper, like this: http://www.mcmaster.com/#69555k62/=55yx44. $46.61 at mcmaster-carr. It's been working great for us.

This one is basically the same at much less cost: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=97420 I've had zero problems with this inexpensive unit, works great.

As for brands, Klien, Thomas&Betts, Knipex, Xuron, and Xcellite are all excellent brands.

Flush cutters are a must. Xuron ones are nice. For battery cables, I like a cutter like this http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

For a soldering iron, you can't go wrong with a Weller adjustable temperature station. For solder, I like AlplaMetals 60/40 Rosin Core http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...LAID=109368558

For the lugs on battery and main power cables, a small pencil torch is sometimes handy.

A good assortment of cable ties and heat shrink is a must. And a heat gun for shrinking it.

I can't recommend a specific brand of stripper, but you'll definitely need at least one.

I would NOT recommend a Multi-function tool like this: http://doitbest.com/Main.aspx?PageID...paign=DATAFEED
Does everything, but none of them well at all.

If you want to make your own PWM cables, you'll most certainly need this http://www.hansenhobbies.com/product...ools/crimp_ec/ and the connectors http://www.hansenhobbies.com/product...rvoconnectors/