Ok time for another installment of “what belongs in every teams toolbox” Todays topic; Craftsman, Power-built, Mac, Snap On? What hand tools do you prefer? Here are my thoughts.
At Robotics:
We use a Power-built ratchet and wrench set and other off brand tools.
Thoughts: Eh tools are tools, I wouldn’t expect any real expect them to really do a long haul the power-built ratchet seized up and is impossible to change directions the hex wrench set seams to not quite work with any hex bolts idk why not. but all of the tools seem to take the torture that an inexperienced rookie gives it. In other words Primitive Pete wouldn’t break most of the tools
At Home
I use a inherited selection of mostly craftsman products
Thoughts: These tools are from my grandpa he was a master hobbiest and handyman around the house these craftsman tools have gone through to the bottom of an abyss and back but they are still as reliable as day one
At the Auto shop
We use a selection of Mac tool, Snap on Tools and a few craftsman.
Thoughts: Mac and Snap on are very reliable but expensive tools. They also look nice and shiny if you maintain them after every job.
Question: What brands of hand tools do you or your team use?
Thank you for the hex keys link, I feel like I’ve been buying the wrong things my whole life now.
I normally buy the cheapest thing I can get, because when we go to competition at least some of our tools go home with other teams. (Not a bad thing, but that’s why we don’t spend to much money on them.) Also it’s not easy to get rookies to maintain tools properly. It’s also not easy for me to remember to maintain tools properly either.
That normally means a lot of Harbor Freight, with some Lowe’s and Home Depot through in. Sears after Thanksgiving sale is normally a pretty good time to buy inexpensive craftsman wrenches.
Mastercraft at Canadian Tire are great tools but we rarely buy anything at full price. Sales of up to 50% off come along frequently. Their stuff is unconditionally guaranteed. I bought a hole-saw kit for 70% off and stripped the threads on one of the arbours sawing 2.5" dia lightening holes in aluminum. They replaced it with a better arbour at no charge.
Powerfist is the house brand at Princess Auto but they carry other brands as well. Rarely do I come home empty-handed from Princess Auto. A recent find was a rivnut kit for $29.99.
Lee Valley Tools carries a really nice 28pc 1/4" drive socket set that, so far, has been indestructible. We have two. Includes sockets up to 1/2" and hex and screwdriver bits including Robertson. The case is 3 x 5 1/2. How often do you really need anything bigger than 1/4" drive?
Have you checked to make sure they’re not metric hex keys? I’ve seen a few people pick up metric ones that were thrown into the box by accident because they looked to be the approximate size, but in reality they’re just slightly bigger or smaller than the inch-sized equivalent.
My personal tools are mostly medium quality with a few really high end tools for critical jobs. If I worked as a professional mechanic I certainly would invest in all of the really high end tools such as Snap-On. There really is a difference when you need to break loose a stubborn head bolt or corroded front end joint. And that extra chrome and polish makes a difference when it comes time to clean up. But I am not sure I would choose high end tools for our FIRST robotics team.
If our team had some sponsors with deep pockets, sure I would go for all high end tools. Using and caring for quality tools is both a pleasure and a good way to learn respect for quality. However the incremental value they provide for the kind of use most tools seem to get in FIRST seems to be relatively low IMHO.
Our robots are built mostly from aluminum, do not see daily use, are not exposed to severe operating environments, etc. I do not think I have ever encountered a nut, screw, bolt, or fitting that could not be removed or properly installed with consumer grade tools. Not the super cheap stuff, but the modestly priced tools available in any number of different brands at local automotive parts stores, and home stores.
This is not to say there are not places in the world of FIRST where I do not think even a financially struggling team should splurge. Our team is always on a tight budget so we need to be very careful with purchases. But some custom tools still need to be top rate. I will get by with lower quality open end wrenches, sockets, and screw drivers if I can buy top quality crimpers, chain tools, and at least one top of the line cordless drill.
We have 2 sets one metric one standard all neatly organized and it seems like none of them work. Im also considering one of those handy pocket set that mimic a pocket knife except with hex keys.
When my brother was on the team 2005-2008 seasons, he went out and bought brand new mastercraft tools, a new tool chest, An AMAZING DRILL, and a few othe power tools. I have no Idea how much it cost, but nothing was cheep. We still have all the tools, but the tool chest is slowly being destroyed. We may need a new one soon.
If you have the money i would hoghly recomend get new and good quality tools for your team. They will be very useful in the long run.
Our wrench/ratchet set is craftsman, given to us by our school. The rest comes from Harbor Freight and is replaceable.
Our tool chest (a really old craftsman) contains:
-assorted screwdrivers, ranging from large to the small one for the cRIO power connection
-wire crimpers (2-3)
-a wire cutter, when the one on the on the crimper just won’t do
-flat and round files (one round, 2 flats)
-needle nose and regular pliers (2 of each)
-monkey wrench (2 sizes)
-2 sets of standard allen wrenches, one metric set
-a adjustable crescent wrench (neither metric or standard )
-a hack saw, and a few replacement blades
-14.4 black and decker drill + charger
-AC grinder and cutoff saws (one of each) + several spare discs
-a digital caliper(my favorite thing)
-a measuring tape (16ft)
-various clamps
In another box (a newer craftsman set, the one found at sears)
-multiple sets of standard and metric wrenches
-really tiny standard wrenches (almost never used)
-standard and metric deep sockets
-standard and metric normal sockets (stared, 6-sided, and square)
-power tool adapters
-screwdriver adapters
-multiple ratchets
-an abundance of every thing 7/16.
Our primary mentor is the auto-shop teacher from our school, so we have access to a few pneumatic tools as well.
Our team writes our team number on all our tools with a Sharpie. For tools that don’t have an easy surface to do that, we wrap a piece of color duct tape on them (keeping the color consistent). If there’s space, we write our number on the tape. If not, then at least it’s a visual indicator.
In the shop: We generally go for Harbour Freight if there are no moving parts. If the tool is something that we will use forever (drill press, band saw), we try to move up the scale a little.
At home: My nice stuff is mostly Craftsman, simply because I inherited a lot of it from my grandfather. The stuff I buy for myself is a mixture of Craftsman (use everyday) and Harbour Freight (used less frequently/ no moving parts).
Tip: If you buy at Harbour freight, open several boxes of the same product and pick the nicest you can find. They have really sloppy quality control, so there is a visible variation in the parts.
Every once in a while you will find a golden egg.
I know the differences its just that they are meant for bigger bolts then a robot has. I could see using them as a dead blow or an odd form of a clamp but no on a 7/16 bolt or nut usually in very hard places to reach.
My guess is they use them for joining threaded pipes, perhaps PVC, for structural components, arms, grippers, etc.
There used to be a radio in our work-space that used a 24+ inch pipe wrench as an antenna (when you disconnected the wrench you could only get static).
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