What tool brand should my team start using. We are looking to purchase some power tools because we have not really had any all year. Any good suggestions. Only tool we have bought is a Craftsman portable air compressor because the Ryobi one that we a lot of teams use we cant find anywhere. We can however plug the Craftsman into an AC outlet so we dont need a battery for it. Any help is appreciated.
You will need screw drivers, wrenches, tin snips, different types of metal cutters, we have a Dremel. I would also get pliers.
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I would agree we need a dremel. I have had to take things back to my place to my “shop” so I can cut things as well. If we had these things in the lab it would be so much better. We do have pliers and screwdrivers. We also have the wrenches that come with the the base kits.
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When working with power tools the very first thing you need to get is good eye protection: either glasses with side panels or full face mask.
Then get in a habit of wearing it whenever you are cutting or filing anything. You can never underestimate how much trouble you will save yourself by not damaging your eyes.
The next most useful power tool is, probably, a good electric screwdriver. Years ago we’ve got a Black & Decker Gyro Screwdriver that starts turning when you tilt it clock- or counter-clock-wise and it was hands down the most used and useful tool for us.
Finally, there is a never ending discussion of which cutting tool is the best…
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A file is also a good idea. You may need to file down sharp pieces of metal to pass inspections.
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Medical hemostats are the single best item you will ever buy. Your dentist might give you some old ones if you ask.
Beyond that? You can find, if you look hard enough, torx tips that will reach all the way through a 1x3 c-channel.
I would also get nutdrivers as well as sockets that will fit onto a cordless screwdriver.
Small 1" wide belt sander will speed up your metal cleanup a LOT.
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Made some of these. They work really well. The shavings/debris go into the tray. It’s cheap/small/easy to use.
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Great tips. I would add ear protection too. The Oscillating tools can get very loud, especially in an enclosed space.
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I would also get a drill or a electric screw fastener. You’d need this for nylock nuts and long screws to screw it in faster. @SpencerFrom1060 and @1060B are both right too.
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Is this topic asking for normal tools or power tools?
Also, your team should have access to two (or more) wrenches
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Our shop has a few tools we regularly use.
First off are big shop tools that you may or may not have (if not there are better substitutes, but most full shops have these), not necessary by any means
First off is our vertical bandsaw. This we use to cut our aluminum, poly, and shafts, I haven’t found a faster way (yet). Its a big JET bandsaw, for most VEX teams I would stick to a hack saw, but if you have one I’d highly recommend.
Drill press, Just makes nicer holes than a hand drill
CNC, many teams try to laser cut poly, the CNC is like that but wont release toxic smoke and is actually safe.
Belt sander, saves you filing time
Now for the actual reasonable stuff
Hacksaw, cuts stuff and is portable.
Hand Drill, self explanatory
Rasp/file so you dont get called for sharp ends
deburring tool, like a better rasp but only for plastic (technically can use on metal but i don’t like to)
Tin Snips, once a team turned me to these of hand making poly pieces I loved it. Imagine cutting plastic by hand was like using scissors on paper.
that’s probably the best stuff to keep if you have limited money
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So, I know this isn’t a power tool but get a rachet with a star drive attachment. power tools require power, a rachet works as long as you can move it & will give you a lot more torque than a normal screwdriver while also allowing you to screw and unscrew lock nuts much faster than a normal screwdriver. Then you just need a wrench.
@Liam_5405 Has a very good list of tools, this is a great place to start. I will say, that as a coach, I was surprised at how relatively inexpensive benchtop power tools are. Our band saw and drill press combined cost less than half of a typical VEX parts order for our club and make cutting and drilling much faster, cleaner, and safer than hand held power tools. Well worth the investment.
To add to his list- a few hand-held tools that are also useful -
A hollow shaft nut driver will make many building tasks easier, especially screw joints.
Hemostats (medical tool) are cheap and easily purchased on Amazon. Have you ever wished you had skinny fingers to hold that last washer or spacer in place? A hemostat will make life so much easier
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