Buying equpment

[Adama]

As a rookie team (2199) we have not a whole lot, if any tools to work with. We have the big ones, band saws, drill presses and the like in the school ag science shop but have not many tool box type tools. What is a good basic list of tool we will need to buy to get by this year

I know the basics like wrenches and stuff but just wanted to see if any veteren teams had any off the wall tools that are too useful not to have.

[Lil' Lavery]

Sockets
Wrenches
Screwdrivers
Soldering iron
Dremel
Files
Hammers (ball peen, deadblow, mallet, claw/carpenters)
Tape Measure
Calipers
hack saw

[SamC]

I think that a good starter list of tools can be found here. I hop that helps.

[DanDon]

Vice
Vice grips
Clamps
Good crimping tools

[Stuart]

PVC cutters
heat gun
and a vise

[DonRotolo]

sandpaper
Repeat: A good (ratchet-type) crimping tool. Expen$ive but worth it.
wire cutters, big, small and huge
center punch
scratch awl
drill bits! Oh my, yes. include a step bit
Hole saws to lighten the robot
Mountain dew.

Don

[Noah Kleinberg]

Hmm

Wire strippers
Hex key sets
Chain cutter (obviously just if you use chain )
Diagonal cutters (btw you'll probably want zip ties at some point)

[EricH]

A centerpunch helps put the holes where you want them, without the drill bit wandering all over the part.

[Gabe]

Automatic center punch
Combination Square
Dial Caliper (metal, increments of 0.001")
Hacksaw with good blades (Lenox)
Files with handles
Digital multimeter
Ball-end allen key set
Steel bristle brush
6-32, 8-32, 10-32, 1/4-20 drill and tap set
Tap wrench
Small flashlight

[Billfred]

Some other tools you might want to consider:

-Rivet tool, and a good number of rivets (lovely things)
-More than one file, as you will invariably miss five or six sharp edges on your robot that the inspector won't
-A good pair of pliers, either by itself or as part of a leatherman tool. For those spots where you don't have the time or room for a full wrench, these can save your butt like few other things can.
-Call it FRC heresy, but keep a roll of duct tape around for those times you just need to stick something somewhere. Just get it all off the robot when it's time to get inspected or compete.
-Teams have had good luck with label makers of various makes and models for labeling electrical and other components.

[nparikh]

Good safety glasses. By this I mean ones that are durable, and comfortable to wear. You'll probably be working for hours on end, and the last thing you want is to take uncomfortable ones off because you're sick of them--and then have something bad happen. Invest a little more and get nicer ones. (they look cooler anyways )

[sanddrag]

A book on good wiring technique.

[MrForbes]

tin snips...get red, green, and yellow for build season, and bring at least one to the competition (we have loaned ours out several times)

The different color handles let you know which way those snips cut, right, left, or straight.

[AdamHeard]

Zip Ties are always useful.

[Adama]

thanks everyone