Fun Fact: you don’t need crazy expensive tools, even though FRC is a sport of building hundred pound metal robots. A drill, jig saw, and hand tool set might be able to make a winning robot. I kinda want to try that now I’m thinking about it…. but later! I want to just talk about tools first.
Hand tools
Your first robot will be put together with bolts and nuts. Therefore, you need allen wrenches, wrenches, and screw drivers. They don’t have to be expensive, super cheap wrenches from Harbor Frieght work nearly as well as an expensive Craftmen set.
Tips:
- a couple ratcheting 3/8 and 7/16 wrenches will be quite useful
- kids love the multitool allen wrenches
- mark your 5/32 Allen wrenches so they are easy to find
Measuring devices
At minimum, a normal tape measure will get you far. But having a set of caliber for precise measurement will be invaluable once you’re designing your own parts. I personally prefer dial calibers over electronic.
Not always necessary, but I also use a speed square very often for making straight cuts or quick, imprecise measurements. That’s another tool where the cheap plastic version works great.
Drills and drill bits
Now we’re getting into the power tools! As a general recommendation, pick a brand and stick with it so your batteries work for all of your tools. I’m a Ryobi fan boy, so that’s ussually my go to, but any brand will get the job done.
I highly recommend buying the impact driver/drill combo set. At some point you’ll be putting screws into wood and the impact driver will make your life so much better.
Would also recommend getting a second drill/driver set. With my team of 14 kids, it seemed like every other meeting we had all 4 drills out being used.
For bits, buy a decent sized set, making sure you have multiple of #2 phillips bit. Also, buy extra 3/16 and 13/64 bits. Those are perfect for 3/16 rivets and #10 through holes respectively.
The last bit I would recommend, is getting a step bit with the max size of 1-1/8″. Every once in a while, you’ll need to drill an oddly large whole. The step bit will get the job done well enough and save you from buying insanely expensive bits. Also, many bearing used in FRC have a 1-1/8″ outer diameter.
Cutting wood
The ultimate solution is to have access to a wood shop so you can use miter saws and standing band saws. But, a circular saw can get you pretty far for much less space and money. Just need to use straight edges.
Cutting metal
98% of the time when you’re cutting metal, you’ll be making perpendicular cuts. There fore, my favorite method is getting a dedicated miter saw with a metal cutting blade. It’ll get the job done in seconds, just don’t let the kids use it to cut steel, or you’ll ruin a very expensive blade!
Other options involve outfitting your band saw with a metal cutting blade, or getting a horizontal band saw. A grinder with a cut off blade will also work for making weird shapes.
3d printers
3d printing is so dang useful once you get the hang of it. Highly recommend just getting a $200 Creality printer, it’ll do the job plenty well until you want to get a fancy one. Don’t 3d print structural parts! But electronics mounts, shaft spacers, drill jigs, covers are all great applications.