What are the tools you can’t get through FRC build season without (or wouldn’t want to)?
I asked another question on Facebook and here are the answers. I tried my best to compile the best bits of the conversation and remove duplicates, etc but I probably missed some stuff.
Allen Gregory
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Milwaukee Aviation Snips - Cuts Lexan, sheet metal, etc.: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Straight-Cutting-Aviation-Snips-48-22-4030/202950858
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Makita 12V Reciprocating Saw - I haven’t had to hack saw anything in a long time: https://www.amazon.com/Makita-RJ01W-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Recipro/dp/B0076R6UOA
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This rivet gun is nice for tighter spaces than the other two handed ones - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0XSI9T/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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The best multimeter I’ve ever had. Fluke 325: It was only $185 when we bought it a few years ago. - http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0091EXB2A/ref=pe_385040_121528360_TE_dp_5
Clamp on DC current isn’t as useful as it used to be now that the PDP can read current but it’s still very handy when prototyping. -
Aliexpress stuff
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Cheap Phillips bits - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10pcs-Magnetic-Anti-Slip-Electric-Phillips-Screwdriver-Bits-Set-Ph2-50mm-Single-Side-Power-Tools-Hex/32804511434.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.3kNlER
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Electrician Scissors - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/LAOA-5-5-inchFree-Shipping-146mm-Multi-Purpose-Household-Electrician-Scissors-Cutter-Knife-Tool/32509428035.html
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I mentioned this in the other thread but it’s worth repeating and I just bought a 1/2" one as well. Annular cutters are awesome for making good holes quickly and they aren’t that expensive. Use them with a 3/4" collet or a drill press chuck big enough for a 3/4" bit. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Steel-Dragon-Tools-1-1-8-x-1-HSS-Annular-Cutter-with-3-4-Weldon-Shank/253208736032?hash=item3af46ab120%3Ag%3At-IAAOSwNZtZv3kV
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the groovelock pliers are definitely the best slip joint pliers I have ever used. IRWIN VISE-GRIP GrooveLock Pliers Set, 8 Piece, 2078712 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GR37WU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_mdFbAb5BSREY9
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Awesome cheap precision screwdrivers. Way better than the cheap silver ones a lot of people have. Stanley 66-052 6-Piece Precision Screwdriver Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009OYGV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DfFbAbNRJX50Q
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We got this Arbor Press over the summer for around $200 with one of the MSC free shipping and 30% off coupons.
It’s the cheapest press I could find that will do 1/2" Hex broaching in one stroke. https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/00231290 -
½” Hex Broach - http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-2204.htm
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Another thing we bought last year was a powder coating setup for a few hundred dollars its much nicer than spray paint. http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-original-diy-powder-coating-gun-starter-kit.html
**K. Verdeyen **
- We were basically banging rocks together until Justin Ridley took pity on us and showed us the Dark Soul Chain Breaker. http://www.davesmotors.com/DarkSoul-25-Chain-Breaker-Tool-3466.html
B. Simons
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My favourite hex key set: https://www.mcmaster.com/#5361a5/=1a6o7ck
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This heavy duty riveter: https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/hand-riveters/heavy-duty-17-1-2-half-inch-hand-riveter-with-collection-bottle-66422.html
A. Spears
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Center Punch and transfer punches
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Portable bandsaw with table mounting option https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200660083_200660083
**E. Morrison **
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We use a Dewalt DW328 with a stand from Swag Offroad, been our best tool since 2016
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Clecos! I’m always amazed how many people don’t know what they are. We don’t do sheetmetal but we use a TON of versaframe and they’re great for that too.
C. Cash
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Pneumatic air riveter. We go through two or three per season and just get brand new ones under the harbor freight replacement plan.
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https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/riveters/14-in-air-hydraulic-riveter-62685.html
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RAGE3 miter saw. Absolutely cannot imagine a season without it.
**V. Pham **
- Something simple, but gets very handy: a rubber mallet. Could never build a robot without one.
N. Coussens
- Clevis and air rivet gun cannot be stressed enough. Also never enough Allen key sets for when students inevitably use them. Quality diagonal cutters. Also just a brass cylinder is super useful whenever you need to bang on something but don’t want a mallet. Put a counterbore into one end of the brass cylinder and it’s really nice for when you need to tap on the outer race of a bearing or something.
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B. Leverette **
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Garnet Squadron got one of these (or similar) in a Bosch tool donation. If you’re in the ecosystem, the extra charger and power distribution is nice. And so is the music. Bosch PB360C Power Box Jobsite AM/FM Radio/Charger/Digital Media Stereo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015XPRYS2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2ZsbAbMF3X25E
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And for all y’all talking clecos. Now you know when the kids weren’t serious about cleanup! http://m.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/clecokeeper.php
**R. Stockton **
- These flexible socket extentions are amazing when paired with a Milwaukee electric screwdriver and a hex driver bit for tightening bolts in hard to reach places. https://www.mcmaster.com/#85255a13/=1a6tlqd
J. Zondag
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Right angle Dewalt drill. This is a must have. https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCD740B-20-Volt-Li-Ion-Right/dp/B007ML7DHS
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I love these clamps for sheetmetal setup. http://www.eastwood.com/pinch-weld-clamps.html
P. Francis
- You have no idea how many times I’ve come across snap ring grooves that were created by some bastardized lathe tool. These save so much time.
http://www.thinbit.com/products/groove_n_turn/index.html
J. Chong
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Yes, I know you can use a screwdriver, but the tool is angled just right to get into the PDP with very little space. WAGO 210-658 OPERATING TOOL, 3.5 X 0.5 MM, SHORT ANGLED https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NJL89O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_k3BbAb5YTBV9M
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We have one or two of these: https://www.mcmaster.com/#6024a6/=1a718s1 They really help keep kids from really breaking something
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Oh! This! https://www.andymark.com/Cable-Tie-Gun-p/am-2592.htm
J. Killian
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There are a couple: first this…https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007MPIO72/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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And most most important this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003UCODIA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I. Rife
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Kant twist are fantastic for clamping sheetmetal.
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https://www.walmart.com/ip/Kant-Twist-Cantilever-Clamp-401/40842778
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A photo tacometer for measuring roller and belt speeds. Probably one of the best kept secrets. https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Photo-Laser-Tachometer-Contact/dp/B001N4QY66
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Ok, this one might get some haters, but I love a sharp, quality, step drill for sheet metal work.
R. Oakley
- two things dark souls #25 chain break and locktite glue stick
- https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-37643-Medium-Strength-Threadlocker/dp/B0053ZNMDE
- http://www.davesmotors.com/DarkSoul-25-Chain-Breaker-Tool-3466.html