Most underrated/undervalued tools

[frcguy]

I thought it might be fun to see what people in FRC think the most underrated/ undervalued tools for FRC use are.

Personally, I am going with the vinyl cutter. Basically a giant plotter with a blade, it can make adhesive backed stickers that are useful for everything from sponsor logos on your robot to decals for team property, etc.

I am curious to see what you all think are the most undervalued and/or underrated tools in FRC. Post them below!

[Richard Wallace]

I'm going with the portable vacuum. Way too many teams get chips, shavings, and swarf in their electrical system because they neglect to get a vacuum in place while cutting or drilling metal on the robot.

A close second would be the file. It always surprises me how many teams wait until their robot is being inspected to learn how files should be used.

[Gravity]

From personal experience any mechanical pickup tool is amazing.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-24-...396H/206264355

[scott.smith]

Vice grips. They can hold together parts while machining, clamp to a small part so you don't have to be close to the machine, stop vibrations on some parts while milling, hold some sketchy prototype parts onto a previous robot, and much more. To me, they are the duct tape of robot building.

[fargus111111111]

Originally Posted by scott.smith

Vice grips. They can hold together parts while machining, clamp to a small part so you don't have to be close to the machine, stop vibrations on some parts while milling, hold some sketchy prototype parts onto a previous robot, and much more. To me, they are the duct tape of robot building.

YES! and C-clamps, basically anything that can put a strong grip on one or more objects without the use of other tools (except maybe the screw driver now used as a handle for said clamp)

My other one would definitely be the sharpie. It is much better to mark a piece prior to cutting it than to say eh, that looks good, cut it at least 3 times and it still be too short.

[CalTran]

NI Multisim (or equivalent) for a circuit diagram and pneumatic diagram does wonders for midcompetition troubleshooting.

Also, invest in a decent ratchet crimper. Your hands will thank you.

[Marc P.]

Originally Posted by CalTran

NI Multisim (or equivalent) for a circuit diagram and pneumatic diagram does wonders for midcompetition troubleshooting.

Also, invest in a decent ratchet crimper. Your hands will thank you.

This is the closest I've seen so far, but 6 pages and no one comes up with Label Maker? Nothing speeds up troubleshooting faster than knowing literally at a glance which speed controller does what, which power/PWM/CAN/sensor wire or pneumatic tube is connected where, and how old motors/batteries/etc are if labeled at acquisition. By far the most handy, versatile, and time saving troubleshooting tool you can get.

[Fusion_Clint]

Cognitive thinking.

[Sperkowsky]

Drill Press vises.

[TheModMaster8]

Hammer

[ATannahill]

Screensteps.

[Knufire]

Dark Soul Chain Tool, or a pneumatic riveter.

[Wren Hensgen]

Originally Posted by Knufire

Dark Soul Chain Tool...

Seconded. I've used this so much in FTC as well as FRC. Being able to break it anywhere is awesome, and you don't have to worry about losing bits of master link! The only down side is that it's harder to get into the chain when the chain is in place.

Originally Posted by Dan Petrovic

Are you sick of crooked cuts in your pneumatic tubing leading to pesky leaks?

There are so many connections! It could take hours to find that last one!

<Gray video>
"There has to be a better way!"
</Gray video>

Well, look no further! Introducing the TC-12 pneumatic tubing cutter! It cuts all of your pneumatic tubing clean and square so you never have to worry about pneumatic leaks again!

I work for a fluid power distributor as a FIRST alum. There are about four of these guys in every work space, and they are a miracle. Teams need to remember that square cut tubes are the solution to most leaks. If there's a local distributor, reach out. They're less than $.60 cost, they'd probably be willing to give you a dozen.

To go along with pneumatics, an adjustable wrench. Never use this for the actual fitting, but if you can't get a tube to come loose from the quick-connect, snug the wrench on the tube, and press it against the collet, and the tube will pop free.

PS-Forgot T handle hex wrenches for pneumatic work. Many hydraulic fittings have internal hexes(For example, the SMC cylinders on the vex shifters), and they let you take fittings out when you have no room for a wrench.

[EmileH]

Originally Posted by rtfgnow

Screensteps.

Seconded.

Also javadocs.

[C.Lesco]

Plasma cutter

wouldnt have our bot without it