Most individuals find the mechanical aspect of robotics extremely terrifying for some reason. They feel the need for extremely complex and costly equipment – mostly to make themselves feel better.
So, we decided to list all the basic mechanical tools and cheap hacks that you can use to build simple projects in your workshop, manufacturing space or garage at home.
It is possible to find most of these tools around your home or in your garage. Some of the tools you need could also be hired from a tool rental company or purchased right here on our site.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common workshop tools, what they’re used for and how to maintain them if need be.
Workshop Tools, Their Uses And How They’re Maintained
Cutting Tools
You could use ordinary scissors, box cutters, and a hacksaw. You could also use the hacksaw when the box cutter fails to do its job. Otherwise, in a safe environment, I would only keep the hacksaw away from humans as it can be a threat if not stored properly.
Grabbing and Clamping Tools
A set of different pliers, such as needle-nosed, the type that cuts, as well as the flat stubbed ones, I would suggest you own. They are some of the most multi-purpose and useful mechanical instruments ever made. Apart from pliers – if you have one c-clamp-like holding device. You ought to be all set. Bench vices are overkill, but in some situations, they are useful to have. If you require one, you can always go to the local hardware store.
Lifting Equipment
Lifting equipment is any load lifting and lowering work equipment, and requires any accessories needed to do so. The overhead cranes and their supporting runways are examples of lifting equipment. Hoists for patients. Lifts for motor vehicles too.
Measuring Tools
You can make sure you have at least one right ruler with simple markings and, if possible, get your hands on one of the cool retractable measuring tapes that you see in your interior decorator’s hands now and then. This is a category of very critical significance.
Writing Tools
No excuse is needed for this. Get a pen, pencil, sharpie or whatever you want and stick it behind your ear if you don’t want to lose it!
Hammers and Mallets
You may need to scavenge bits of waste material now and then and break off some sections. This is where it would be used for hammers and mallets.
Screwdrivers and Fasteners
You would need a decent set of screwdrivers, of course, so that you can open all the screws in your house that you can find. Household E-waste is extremely helpful for free motors, power electronics, and other such items. Learn to hoard it and harvest it.
Also, aim to recover a selection of nuts and bolts that you unscrew from all these things. At times, they can be incredibly helpful.
Zip Ties and Duct Tape
See how I did not group these two with the other items? That’s because they’re gods of hacks, and I worship these two things literally. Zip ties and duct tape may be used anywhere to temporarily or permanently fasten and keep items together. If you’ve zip-tied or duct-taped them together, you never need to worry about things falling apart. There are foolproof strategies for bringing stuff together. They are the strongest ‘Jugaad’ ever.
Power Tools & Hand Tools
There are mechanical hand tools and power tools such as dremels, hand cutters, Impact drills etc. They are seldom needed and can be borrowed from your local mechanic at all times. This technique saves a lot of money as well as room for you.
Tech Tools
So, let’s try to grasp what the mechanical domain is about now that we have the basic mechanical tools and equipment figured out. The mechanics behind robots can vary from extremely simple jugaads to complex mathematics and formulas that involve forward and inverse kinematics and other aspects. To begin with, you can try to model 3D parts for robots. To this end, there is a range of free and open-source software programs available. It would be best if you tried using the ideal 3D modelling program for newbies – something like Sketchup Make. There are several easy to use tutorials that are also available.
In the rapid desktop prototyping industry, there has recently been a huge boom that has led to digital mechanical tools such as desktop 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNCs that you can use to create professional-looking components, but they come later.
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