Tools for Rookie Team?

[aZnXsa1Nt]

thanks for your help, i'll look in the white papers section for more info. again, thanks.

-mark

[Cory]

I have advice about what not to use.
1. NEVER EVER use flat head screws unless you absolutely have to. They will strip almost immediately, and are a huge pain to deal with.
2. I can't agree enough with not using permanent loc-tite. Sooner or later, you will need to remove that loc-tited part, and it wont be fun to take it off.
3. This should probably be number one, but try to avoid using setscrews as much as possible.
4. Try not to use metric and english allen-headed bolts on the robot, it can be very annoying to search for the right wrench.

Now the things you should have:
1. I really think a drill press is important. it makes accurate drilling so much easier. You can get them fiarly cheap. I believe you can get a 9" model at sears for <$99.
2. Bandsaws are also good. You can get a Ryobi model for around $99 also.
3. A Jigsaw is useful if you have no bandsaw, or it is not practical to use one.
4. get lots of clamps. You will not want to weld/drill holes in things and bolt them together before you even know whether that is going to be ints final configuration. clamps can save you costly errors in this way.
5. This isn't really a tool, but buy LOTS of sharpies. You will be amazed at how fast you will lose them, and how often you will need them.

Thats about all I can think of that hasn't been mentioned

[DanLevin247]

Needless to say, a computer, powerful enough to run design software, mainly AutoCAD...and a trust drafting table to plot it all out. While your at it, pick up a whiteboard and some dry erase markers.

[Elgin Clock]

For the holidays, get your team some organizational skills to make sure you know where all these new tools are when you need them....

I think I've gone through 3 sets of Ball Driver Allen Keys just because I lent them to someone and they lent it to someone and so on.

It really sucks when you need a wrench, and no-one has theirs of that size because it is lost in the abyss.

[Hailfire]

Basically, anything that you use to make projects out of wood. Examples: Drill Presses, Band Saws, Jig Saws, Belt Sanders, etc. Our team, another rookie team, already has all of our tools ready to go.

[Stephen Kowski]

CHAINBREAKER, my god, A CHAIN BREAKER!
and what the heck bring some master links too

[T967]

Our rookie year last year wouldn't had been successful if it would not have had ZIP-TIES. They are legal on robots and you can do anything with them. Got a loose part? zip tie it. Need some extra support? Zip tie it. Got a robot accessary to add to suprise the competition? Zit tie it! Our Light and tether were both held on by zip-ties!

Oh and get as many varieties as possible.
They also work well at keeping all that wiring together and in a nice tidy order.
look
http://www.lmrobotics.com/pictures/pics9/MVC-625F.JPG[/url]

ther are probably 80 zip ties in that one picture. I will say again that if you really need something, it will be zip-ties. We saw many teams who had wires every where, and when they went to work on their robot they had to be careful of all the wires. And plus it makes the electrical inspection easier.

[Argoth]

Ummm... I have done a lot of machining work and what not before and one tool i could tell you that will make your life much easier, get the almighty saws-all. If you need something cut quick and don't feel like losing the function of your arm due to the legnthy time it takes to cut with a hacksaw then you will want a saws-all.

[D. Gregory]

Cable ties rule. Also, a good socket set is priceless. What do you guys use to cut bosch extrusion. We use a non-ferrous metal cutting mitre saw blade.

[sanddrag]

Originally posted by D. Gregory
What do you guys use to cut bosch extrusion. We use a non-ferrous metal cutting mitre saw blade.

We've been using a chop saw with a good ol' carbide tipped wood blade. Never got around to buying a metal blade. We've got one for this year though.

On the topic of tools, I think a sawzall and a full set of quality hex ball drivers are a must. http://www.bondhus.com Sometimes OSH sells these.

Ooooo tools.....

[D. Gregory]

Thanks, I was always afraid of using carbide wood blades. What kind of life do you get out of them? In the begginning of last year we tried using one of those steel cutting cutoff blades. I'll put it this way, there was lots of melted aluminum and carcinogenic smoke.

[sanddrag]

Originally posted by D. Gregory
Thanks, I was always afraid of using carbide wood blades. What kind of life do you get out of them? In the begginning of last year we tried using one of those steel cutting cutoff blades. I'll put it this way, there was lots of melted aluminum and carcinogenic smoke.

The wood blade is very very loud cutting aluminum. The teeth looked a little deformed by the end of the 6 weeks but it still cuts wood and metal just as good as it ever has. It seems to work okay if hack is your style but I would recommend a fine tooth metal cutting blade.

And never use the black woven cutoff blades for aluminum.

[Mark Hamilton]

Well the basics are pretty well covered already, but here's some items you might overlook:
Bolts/screws/shoulder bolts. Decide on standardized heads and threadcounts ( I suggest hex heads). Get lots of extra tools and taps for these. Get a parts bin and carry lots of extras. A good assortment of washers and lock washers will come in handy. Don't use permanent loc-tite.

Scrap plywood, aluminum, caster wheels, etc. for prototyping. Being able to throw togethor a prototype for something before you start building it/CAD'ing it will be a life saver. Our robots normally start out as pecies of plywood clamped to a furniture dolly.

A real drill press. At the very least get a decent corded drill. Cordless drills are nice for last minute details, but do not expect to make anything square with them.

Finally, don't forget safety goggles and shop rags.

[Gadget470]

http://www2.usfirst.org/2003comp/Adm...l_Handling.pdf

Page 10 of the Administrative, Shipping & Drayage Information pdf from the FIRST site contains a large list of almost everything listed above and then some.

If you don't believe 'and then some' ...

Magnet on a stick

I rest my case.

[George]

Don't forget paper & pencils (cheaper to scrap then parts)
Invest in a GOOD tool box (lasts for years, buy larger then needed)
parting tip, when using carbide "wood" blades on alum.
try a little WD40 for cutting oil, (I have used skill saw on
1 1/2 6160 alum plate with on prob.)