SPARC Forum

General => General Robotics Discussion => Topic started by: tomchaps on October 05, 2015, 05:24:05 pm

Title: Building a bot with hand tools: what do I need?
Post by: tomchaps on October 05, 2015, 05:24:05 pm: Boxes are now on their way from Fingertech, Hobbyking, McMaster-Carr, Banggood... We're excited! But: I have a cordless drill and a soldering iron, a cluttered table and basically nothing else.

What else will I need, if my plan is to make a straightforward wedge (UHMC PE, Garolite, titanium for the wedge), hopefully with a lifter or clamp? What is not strictly necessary, but worth having? A Dremel?

Thanks in advance...
Title: Re: Building a bot with hand tools: what do I need?
Post by: Jeff Gier on October 05, 2015, 07:46:57 pm: Well you're missing a way to cut the stock into the shape you want. I suggest a jigsaw for the plastics and a rotary tool, like a dremel with a re-enforced cutoff disk attachment for the metals.

You will also probably want a scribe and a square with a solid ruler.
Title: Re: Building a bot with hand tools: what do I need?
Post by: Coboxite on October 05, 2015, 10:23:31 pm: One really good tool: Aviation/Compound shears. They cut through flashing like foam board, can cut straight through garolite and plastics, and can with a little muscle, cut through harder thin metals. Try to get yellow grip handles, as they cut straight.
Title: Re: Building a bot with hand tools: what do I need?
Post by: RevRobots on October 06, 2015, 02:51:01 pm: To add to this great list, I would get screwdrivers, and needle-nose pliers. Also +1 for the dremal tool, it has helped me a lot.

Adam
Revelation Robotics
Title: Re: Building a bot with hand tools: what do I need?
Post by: GuavaMoment on October 06, 2015, 07:24:04 pm: You'll also need a hacksaw and a file. And a bench vise. With those three things and a lot of patience and work, you can make almost anything.
Title: Re: Building a bot with hand tools: what do I need?
Post by: Kaldonis on October 07, 2015, 10:19:53 pm: A membership to your local hackerspace so that you can use their mills, 3d printers, dremels, jigsaws, etc...