I’m getting a personal set of tools that I will also be bringing to competitions, does anyone have any recommendations on what tools I should get? I’m getting a tool backpack as well, but I have a few that I’m looking at already but would also be open to recommendations for that as well. Thank you!
A selection of screwdrivers (flat and Philips of various lengths and sizes) and commonly used hex wrenches will get you 75% of the way there. A pair of wire strippers, side cutters, needle nose pliers, and maybe a small multi-meter. Also, zip ties. Plenty of zip ties and electrical tape. Don’t load yourself down.
Sorry I forgot to specify
Do you have any recommendations for specific ones?
I typically carry around a leatherman (I like this one because it’s easy to use one-handed), a ratcheting screwdriver, a mini ratchet set (with bits that also work for the screwdriver), a few common wrenches (any ones on amazon will work), and occasionally wire strippers. I usually carry these around in my pockets which is why I go for a few tools that can do a lot of things. Using a backpack might mean that you want to have a more complete toolset (like a small multimeter or an actual Allen key set)
Edit: also zipties, lots of zipties
Less is more.
A nice pair of pliers with cutters. Half dozen good zipties.
The rest can be on the robot cart in a box.
You will appreciate having the mobility vs having to keep track of a bunch of stuff.
Please don’t be the person carrying around a hacksaw, first aid kit, impact driver, and 200 zipties. There us no need to be this guy:
I’m assuming a half dozen zipties just means dont have an insane amount?
A 6 in 1 screwdriver or (even better) a Wiha or Milwaukee 14-in-1 screwdriver has a great pocket volume to tool-a-lisciousness ratio! Plus these include hex nut driver that fit a few things. If you loan it out the bits may go walkabout
I stock our kiddo’s tool boxes with 6 in 1s in orange (to match our team color). DIRT cheap! Cheap enough that I don’t get particularly annoyed when the lose one of the inserts…
The Wera Tool-Check Plus is the best bang for your buck “backpack”/big pocket set, IMO.
Can probably get almost any screw/nut common in FRC loose with this. Comes with a screwdriver handle & tiny ratchet with a good selection of bits. And its Wera, so really high quality tool. We keep a few in the 148 pit.
Does it make sense to have a stripped screw remover? Or is that money better spent by the team?
The only “good” (ymmv, there’s not many I’d consider “good”) stripped screw removers also cost good money. Let the team spend the money.
what does ymmv mean?
nevermind
Your Mileage May Vary
Stripped screw removers are a tough one. They rarely work. If you want to be a hero, you COULD carry the top three FRC sizes of Sock-it-outs. These are basically precisely tapered hex keys. You smack it into the boogered socket, turn the screw out, and THROW AWAY THE SCREW. They are a life saver sometimes…
These new stubby left-hand drill bits could have a pretty good save to volume ratio, but you have to remember you have them!
Are combination squares a good tool to have on me?
i’d assume not but just wanna make sure before completely denying them
For snips, I’m looking at these, because theyre cheaper per set than just buying 1, and also I could use them around the house as well. Amazon.com
You will likely never use a combination square at a competition. A ruler, maybe/likely. An angle measurement thing, maybe.
No scribe/level either?
A scribe/poky thing is pretty useful, just make sure you don’t stab yourself. A level has pretty limited utility. Your phone probably does that anyway.
A good, skinny penlight/flashlight is useful.
Along with other long skinny things, how long should the magnet on a stick be?