Hey Guys! I’m working on the budgeting for a rookie team and I’d love everyone’s input on a tool list.
So far I have a list put together at Amazon: http://a.co/9Npujf0
Riveter, drillbit set, hand grinder
I am in the same situation. Things I have heard from other mentors.
Standardize early into specifics sizes of fasteners. We are using 1/4-20 and 10-32 mainly.
Buy multiple of those drivers from a source like McMaster and Carr on the cheap. Same with drill bits.
Buy the cheapest screwdrivers you can find and multiples. They walk away.
That one is pretty cheap if you have a Sam’s membership… I am eyeing it currently.
Send me a PM and I can dig up the list I have around here with some of the locations for stuff.
Here’s a link to a thread from 2 weeks ago regarding this topic
Everyone forgets electrical. 
I would invest in some wire cutters/crimping tool:
https://www.amazon.com/Stripper-Cutter-Crimper-Pliers-Multi-Function/dp/B00ZYQEPEC/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1483643691&sr=8-9&keywords=wire+cutters
And a Multi-meter:
https://www.amazon.com/Multimeter-Crenova-MS8233D-Auto-Ranging-Multimeters/dp/B00KXX2OYY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1483643945&sr=8-3&keywords=multimeters
Looks like you have a broken link there, my friend.
Fixed it
Thanks, Updated!
The T handles you have listed are the same set that harbor freight stocks. It’s missing one of the standard English sizes, and the ball ends are VERY easy to break off, especially in set screws. Buy Bondhus or Tekton instead, they’ll last a lot longer.
I might suggest, if you do not already have them:
- Hand saws (wood and metal)
- Tap set
- Sandpaper
- Hammers/mallets
- Center punches
- Rulers/squares
- Probably other things I really ought to know since it’s my job to make the packing list
As afera mentioned, do not neglect the electrical tools.
My team has one of those and two smaller of the same design. We love them and use them in the shop and wheel them into a trailer to bring to every competition. They have lasted since 2012 and are holding up great.
I would highly suggest a set of precision wire cutters (for zip ties).
It’s important for you as a rookie team to realize though, that you may lose tools. In addition, having more than one can come in very handy, especially if you have the team multitasking.
EDIT:
And though technically not tools, safety gear is a FANTASTIC idea.
Safety goggles, gloves, etc.
Thanks, Updated
I was in your position at the beginning of last season. Here’s a list of all the tools we bought: https://goo.gl/qYTa66.
If you have any questions feel free to post or PM!
Thanks, Updated
Very Helpful! Looking it over now.
Your screwdriver set is pretty expensive. While I do like that they’re bolstered, I’m not particularly a fan of the soft handles. Consider going for Craftsman instead. They are much cheaper and you can swap them out at Sears when you wear them out.
I’ve owned a lot of Husky screwdrivers from Home Depot for over a decade, and they’re decent. But the new Phillips ones have square shafts which is not great for accessing screws inside recesses. They also have a lifetime warranty and can be swapped out at Home Depot when you wreck them. So, these are my go-to screwdrivers for abuse (hammering, prying, etc).
For small precision screwdrivers I go with Wiha.
I try to stick with quality non-china brands for certain things. Channel Lock is decent quality US made on many of their things, and you might be able to get a decent discount here. Be aware of Channel Lock branded licensed china-made stuff though. It’s not the same. Knipex is kind of top of the line for pliers, but can be somewhat pricey. They’re pretty nice though.
You need some hex keys. I’ve found Allen brand to be the hardest, and Eklind to be the softest of the US-made brands. Bondhus is very good too. Any three of those brands will serve you well. Wiha ball drivers are nice. For hex, I would not go with anything outside of those brands.
You might want some step drills for bigger holes in thin metal. Pretty much any chinese brand is fine for these. No need to pay the $50 for an Irwin one.
You might want some safety glasses side shields and/or safety glasses that fit over glasses. Maybe even one or two full face shields too.
You also need some measuring tools. I’m slowly transitioning to all dial calipers in the shop. Cheap Harbor Freight ones are okay but the depth gauge and smoothness of sliding is not fantastic. The way I figure it is we can wreck a good caliper just as easily as we can wreck a cheap one, so I might as well deploy cheap ones in the lab, so long as they’re accurate enough.
Your toolbox seems a bit expensive for what it is. There are better boxes for less money (Like the Harbor Freight 44"), but if it has to be black, this actually is probably about the best you’ll find at that price point. I really like the HF 44" boxes with the little narrow one(s) hanging off the side(s). I do have a this Husky boxthat I paid only $200 for on sale. and at that price it couldn’t be beat. The sheet metal is a good bit thinner than the HF boxes, but to it’s credit, I do have one drawer full of about 100 lbs of bar stock and it seems to handle it okay.
Here’s a list of tools and things I got on Amazon just the other day. I probably overdid it on the Knipex pliers, but the Channel Lock set is nice. Note, this list is not all-inclusive. It is an addition to some things we already had. Some of this stuff is pretty pricey, but taken care of, you only have to buy it once, and it will last a lifetime.
Brother DCPL2540DW Wireless Laser Printer and Brother TN660 High Yield Toner • Amazon Business $157.93 1 $157.93
Ryobi P109 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Compact Batteries (Two Pack of P107) • Amazon Business $74.99 1 $74.99
Nicholson 9 Piece Hand File Set with Ergonomic Handles, American Pattern • Amazon Business $71.91 1 $71.91
Pixy (CMUcam5) Smart Vision Sensor - Object Tracking Camera for Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black • Amazon Business $69.00 1 $69.00
Channellock TOOLROLL-3 5-Piece Plier Set in Handy Tool Roll • Amazon Business $61.50 1 $61.50
Brother P-touch ~1/2-Inch Standard Laminated Tape, Black on White, 26.2-Feet (2 Pack) • Amazon Business $18.10 3 $54.30
Wiha 46797 Ball End Screwdriver Set with SoftGrip Handles, 13 Piece • Amazon Business $52.76 1 $52.76
Arduino ZERO • Amazon Business $49.90 1 $49.90
H.L. Bouton Slip-On Sideshields for safety glasses, Clear Flexible, One pair, 99705 • Amazon Business $4.83 10 $48.30
Thomas & Betts WT112M Plier-Type Tool for A, B, C Non-Insulated and RA, RB, RC Insulated Nylon and Vinyl Terminals and Splices • Amazon Business $42.60 1 $42.60
WRENCH SET ADJUST 3PC by CRESCENT MfrPartNo AC6810VS • Amazon Business $34.55 1 $34.55
PEC Tools USA 12" Rigid Stainless Steel 4R Machinist ruler/rule 1/64, 1/32, 1/8 1/16 • Amazon Business $16.99 2 $33.98
Knipex 3733125 Short Round Nose Pliers, 5 Inch • Amazon Business $31.18 1 $31.18
Knipex 3111160 Needle Nose Pliers, 6.25 Inch • Amazon Business $31.13 1 $31.13
Surebonder PRO2-100 100-Watt High Temperature Industrial Glue Gun, Black • Amazon Business $31.09 1 $31.09
KNIPEX 95 11 165 Cable Shears • Amazon Business $29.62 1 $29.62
IRWIN Tools VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers, Original, 3-Piece Set (323S) • Amazon Business $27.79 1 $27.79
Ideal 45-292 Stripmaster Wire Stripper, 1022 ga, AWG • Amazon Business $27.00 1 $27.00
Bondhus 13390 Set of 10 Hex T-handles with Stand, sizes 3/32-3/8-Inch • Amazon Business $27.00 1 $27.00
WOLFWILL Mini Bike Pump Fits Presta & Schrader 210 PSI Pressure Gauge with Tire Levers Frame Mount Kit • Amazon Business $26.99 1 $26.99
General Tools S475 Swiss Pattern Needle Files, Set of 12 • Amazon Business $26.48 1 $26.48
Knipex 4611A0SBA External Straight Retaining Ring Pliers 5.75-Inch • Amazon Business $25.55 1 $25.55
PEC Tools 6" 5R flexible black chrome, "High Contrast" machinist ruler with markings 1/10", 1/100", 1/32" and 1/64" • Amazon Business $11.99 2 $23.98
Knipex 2611200 Long Nose Pliers with Cutter, 8 Inch • Amazon Business $23.49 1 $23.49
Knipex 4621A21 External Angled Retaining Ring Pliers 6.75-Inch • Amazon Business $23.48 1 $23.48
Knipex 2501140 Chain Nose Pliers with Cutter, 5.5 Inch • Amazon Business $23.01 1 $23.01
Ideal Industries Reflex Super T-Stripper Wire Stripper, For 6-14 AWG Solid Wire, 8-16 AWG Stranded Wire • Amazon Business $22.06 1 $22.06
Allen 59800 22 Piece Long Arm SAE/Metric Hex Key Set • Amazon Business $18.42 1 $18.42
Ideal Industries T-Stripper Wire Stripper, T-7, 22-30 AWG Solid Wire, 24-32 AWG Stranded Wire • Amazon Business $15.41 1 $15.41
2 X Stanley 10-099 6-Inch Classic 99 Retractable Utility Knife PackageQuantity: 2 Model: • Amazon Business $12.88 1 $12.88
Wiss M2R 9-3/4" Compound Action Snips, Cuts Straight to Right • Amazon Business $11.48 1 $11.48
Neiko 10193A Titanium Step Drill Bit Set, High Speed Steel | 3-Piece Set | Total 28 Sizes • Amazon Business $9.42 1 $9.42
KNIPEX 37 13 125 Electronics Pliers • Amazon Business $8.66 1 $8.66
AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to Micro B Cable - 3 Feet - 3 Pack • Amazon Business $6.99 1 $6.99
Wiha 40010 Magnetizer or Demagnetizer • Amazon Business $6.89 1 $6.89
Hakko CHP-170 Micro Soft Wire Cutter, 1.5mm Stand-off, Flush Cut, 2.5mm Hardened Carbon Steel Construction, 21-Degree Angled Jaw, 8mm Jaw Length, 16 Gauge Maximum Cutting Capacity • Amazon Business $4.47 1 $4.47
Thanks for the great suggestions everyone! I’ve read every single one. I’m not overly concerned with price at the time, just trying to get a dollar figure together. I’m thinking about approaching the local Home Depot for a tool sponsorship to help with costs. I’ve updated the list, let me know if I’m missing anything.
Transfer punch set!
All of this. Cut zip tie “tails” are surprisingly sharp. Also get a first aid kit or two and fire extinguishers, enough to cover your build space as well as a small one for your pit. And some respirator dust masks.
Also add:
Label maker(get one with a QWERTY keyboard, not an alphabetical order keyboard)
Reciprocating saw(Sawzall) - There is a 20V DeWalt model that uses the same batteries as the drill you have, but make sure you can get by with its amount of power vs. a corded one. If possible, one of each wouldn’t be a bad idea, so you can have two people cutting different things at the same time. Cordless will be easier in the pits. Also get some decent blades(Milwaukee has a nice set with a great case; I haven’t used them yet, but they look good. Though there is a 12 piece set for the same price.)
Hex keys(Allen wrenches) - Get a lot of duplicates, and I mean A LOT. They’ll get lost.
More than one drill - You can buy just the drill without batteries. It will be used more than any other tool in the shop. If there’s building going on, a drill will always be running.
Jig saw - for more precise cuts on smaller materials.
Shop Vac