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The perfect setup for the budding robot combat enthusiest.


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dyrodium
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Joined: 24 Aug 2004
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Location: Sydney


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The perfect setup for the budding robot combat enthusiest.

Hehe, funny title. Very Happy

I was just wondering what is crucial, or nice to have when building a robot.
You see... We (my family), just established that our storeroom is to be my workshop from now on (they don't really want me drilling ali in my bedroom). And I was wondering what equipment makes for a comfortable, safe and productive workshop. I know you CAN build a bot with just a hacksaw and drill, but I'm talking about things such as drill presses and cut-off saws (and work benches) ,however cad imput laser cutters are a little out of the question Very Happy .
Just want to know what is REALLY usefull, and what will just sit there, unused. What do you guys use? (give me IDEAS!)
Thanks! Angus
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Post Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:23 pm 
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Philip
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Joined: 18 Jun 2004
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An angle grinder and a vice would have to be the things I use the most other than the drill that you have already mentioned.
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Post Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:09 pm 
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kkeerroo
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Joined: 17 Jun 2004
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If you like building robots out polycarb and chopping boards like we do then you'll need a jig saw. Or a band saw, which I havn't got but I always look at them at bunnings.

Oh and you'll deffently need a radio.
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Post Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:27 pm 
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timmeh
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Joined: 20 Jul 2004
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LOTS OF POWER BOARDS LOL Laughing

Drill press something that will stay streaght when you pull the spindle down and not move out a few mm like most cheap ones "my gmc one dose it"

Jig saw for thos bits you cant reach with a hack saw or if you have the money a band saw would be very usefull.

Powerfull drill for drilling steel you will allways use.

Sturdy bench and vice"i allways use my vice"

Wire strippers as they are very usefull i dont know how i lived without one when i got myn.

If you will be working alot with steel get a half decent welder.

Angle grinder will save you hours using a file"I should know lol im never going within 100 miles of a file EVER again!"

Get some strong plastic or wooden tubs or boxes to put all your usfull metal and plastic offcuts in and some tubs for parts and allso get some kind of shelving or rack to put them all on.
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Last edited by timmeh on Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:50 pm; edited 1 time in total

Post Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:46 pm 
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andrew



Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 3110
Location: Castle Hill, Sydney. N.S.W


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either radio/cd player to save u going mental.

Bandsaw/jigsaw-my bandsaw is teh best thing i have ever gotten and kicks the jigsaws but.

Angle grinder with cutting blades (cd thiness blade) that way u can cut ali/steel and change the blade simply and then u can grind and shape stuff too.

drill press is always handy to have. A drill that plugs into the wall. My black and cecker mains power drill is round 30 plus years old and besides that when u fire it up u see sparks and the brushes sparking it runs like a dream and chews through most things.
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Post Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:47 pm 
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Glen
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1) cordless drill OR a 240v hammer drill
2) jigsaw
3) angle grinder
4) drill press
5) bench grinder

in that order. and dont dare buy xu1 brand, ryobi or gmc as a bare minimum.

a big table is also a god send as well. and good lighting.

pfssh radio, my workshop is KARAOKE central man Very Happy

oh yeah and a good offcuts box too, but i dont think youll need one for a while Smile
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Post Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:05 pm 
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Big AL
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Joined: 16 Oct 2004
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Location: roleystone perth. WA


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welder
drill (don't have to be a press drill but it helps)
hacksaw (FOR GODS SAKE GET ONE WITH A DEASENT BLADE or youll sit there for about half an hour trying to cut thought 5 mill bar did it by melting though friction it and then dad gets the angle grinder out) Evil or Very Mad
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Post Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:42 pm 
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Nick
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Nobody ever mentions layout tools:

Steel Engineer's square
Scriber
ACCURATE! steel ruler (I use a 300mm & a 1000mm constantly)
Centrepunch

That's the minimum and will be useful for any mechanical project you build

If you have some cash later on I also recommend:

Digital caliper http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=TD2082&CATID=&keywords=caliper&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=
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Post Wed Feb 16, 2005 12:40 am 
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dyrodium
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Great! All of this really helps! I'll keep you guys updated on what I get. Very Happy
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Post Wed Feb 16, 2005 7:18 am 
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Nexus
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Yes, dont underestimate the digital caliper, not only does it measure but you can stick it in holes and stuff
and not have to guess how thick your shaft is. I do most of my work in the kitchen and use aluminium so whats also handy
is a work bench, table vise, steel square, grinder, JIgsaw, Battery drill, hacksaw, files and for that odd job cant go past
a dremmel tool. Use mine as a mini grinder, sander and many other things.

Oh yeah and a vacuum cleaner
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Post Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:31 am 
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timmeh
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quote:
Originally posted by Nexus:

Oh yeah and a vacuum cleaner


LOL

*George walks around living room with back pack vacume running at 3 times the voltage sucking up all the lttile bits out of the carpet Cool *
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Post Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:18 pm 
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Nick
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Joined: 16 Jun 2004
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Location: Sydney, NSW


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Drill bits and screws:

Rather than buy a full drill set with sizes you will hardly use, try this strategy: Pick three standard size screws to use in all your projects and just buy the drill bits to match. The sizes can be anything but I use (metric) M4 for the small stuff, M6 for general duty and M8 for parts that take a beating. I use those sizes for at least 80% of everything I build and it saves time & money to stick to a few sizes. You will still need some extra drills but not a full set.

Along with the usual twist drills, get a medium size countersink bit. even if you don't use countersink screws often, the bit is great for de-burring holes.

If you find your robot is getting overweight, a 20 to 30mm hole saw is your best friend Smile It can take weight out of an aluminium panel much faster than using twist drills.
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Post Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:40 pm 
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Nexus
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Have learnt now. Thats why i work in the kitchen, easier to sweep the crap off the floor as well. And when grinding in the kitchen point the sparks away from wall tiles as they can be permanently marked. doh!
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Post Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:44 pm 
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timmeh
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LMFAO

O yer and george uses acid to get king pins skid marks off the floor tiles Laughing Laughing
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Post Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:45 pm 
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