Page 213 - Build Your Own Combat Robot

Build Your Own Combat Robot
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Of course, to use the drills you need a drill motor. If you’re on a budget, you
might consider buying a good cordless drill such as ones made by Makita, Bosch,
or DeWalt. These tools can serve you well during construction and then later in
the back areas of the various competition sites where electricity may not be avail-
able. For small work only, you might consider a Dremel high-speed drill set.
The next power tool should be a small bench-top drill press used to drill multiple
layers and keep all holes perpendicular to the surface you’re drilling. These can be
found in some of the import tool shops for low prices—$40 or less. A drill press offers
a lot of advantages over a hand-held drill. It can be used with a fly cutter to cut
large holes in sheet metal, and it can handle larger drill bits that cannot be accom-
modated in a smaller hand-held drill. Other attachments can be used for polishing,
sanding, deburring, and grinding. A helpful tip when drilling multiple parts that
have to be fastened together is to drill one set of holes and attach the fasteners before
drilling the next hole. This will ensure that all sets of holes are kept in alignment
should something slip a bit during construction.
Cutting metal can always be accomplished with a hacksaw, but larger cuts can
be tiring if done by hand. Some builders have used a hand-held saber saw fitted
with a fine-toothed metal cutting blade to cut large pieces of thick sheet metal. A
better way to go is to use a reciprocating saw such as the Sawzall, which can rip
through sheet metal, bar stock, tubular extrusions, and pipes quite easily. Metal
band saws can be quite expensive, but you can buy a metal band saw made for small
stock materials for under $200. These saws can cut in the horizontal or vertical
positions and can be fitted with a small table to guide small pieces of metal to be cut.
Bench sanders help make metal edges even and smooth, and a bench grinder is
useful for working with metal forming. Pneumatic hand tools such as drills, impact
wrenches, and sanders are inexpensive and offer a different approach to power
tools. Woodworking tools such as routers, planers, and wood saws help form non-
metallic workpieces. A good bench vise is useful to hold any type of work piece.
As you become more proficient at working with metal, you will probably want
to buy more tools. Rather than invest in larger power tools, you might consider
buying tools to help you in the construction process and wait on larger machine
tool purchases. It has been said that “you can never have too many clamps,” and
this certainly applies to building metal structures. Clamps come in handy to hold
pieces together while you drill and screw them together, or even for welding. The
standard 3-, 4-, and 6-inch C clamps can serve a lot of purposes. Several large bar
clamps or furniture-style clamps can help hold together large structural pieces
while fastening.
Yes, you can end up spending a lot on tools; but after the battle is over and you
are ready to build that new machine, your tools will be waiting for you. Take care
of your tools and they will take care of you. Always remember, safety for yourself
and those nearby is very important when using any tools.