Shop tools, any suggestions?

[jpyro]

i sugest a table saw or a circulal saw along with a saber saw, only because they are more durable

Originally Posted by DivideByZero

I'm part of a second year team that got by with a drill and a drill press as our only power tools (everything else was hand tools last year, and we still placed 15th out of 75 at our regional). Having some debate on what to get this year. Would a jig/sabre saw be of any use, in order to cut framing and large sheet metal (I'd imagine a miter saw to be too difficult if the metal is more than 2x the cutting range, and space/cost are major concerns).

[jpyro]

Don't invest money in a metal band saw if you can get a wood band saw. From there go to a hardware store and buy a metal blade. Much cheaper

Originally Posted by NoodleKnight

Hi,

I know it's already build season, but now we have the ability to possibly get a grant for some machine tools.

So far, I read some old threads and decided to try and get a Rong-Fu desktop mill/drill machine. For those who have one, how is it? Would you recommend buying it?

Also, we're looking for a metal band saw, preferably vertical. I found a few but I have no idea how good it is. For year's we've been using a wood bandsaw with a metal cutting blade... it isn't pretty.

We have a drill press, it's old but it still works well. Hand tools are not an issue.

Are there any other tools which would be useful for a robotics team? Note, we do have a price limit, not sure what it is, but we can't ask for radical things like a bridgeport CNC.

Thanks in advance,
Jonathan

[NoodleKnight]

Originally Posted by jpyro

Don't invest money in a metal band saw if you can get a wood band saw. From there go to a hardware store and buy a metal blade. Much cheaper

That's what we have, it takes plenty of skill to cut straight lines.

[UlTiMaTeP]

check out harbor freight www.harborfreight.com its basicly chinese copys of all the american tool companys for a 1/3 of the price. (note- do not buy hand tools from HF, but machine tools and air tools work great) They do have a horizontal/verticle metal bandsaw for i think 160 dollars which sounds like you could use it, as well as mill lathe combos for people with small budgets