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Deburring tools are used in FRC fabrication to remove sharp edges (burrs) created after cutting, drilling, or machining metal parts. Proper deburring improves safety, fit, and part durability. What Is a Burr? A burr is a sharp or rough edge left behind aft...

Clamps are holding tools used in FRC fabrication to secure parts together during assembly, drilling, or gluing. They act as temporary “extra hands” to keep parts aligned and stable. Why Clamps Are Used Clamps help: Hold parts in position during drilling...

Selecting the correct drill bit size is important for proper fastener fit, tapping, and hole accuracy in FRC fabrication. Common FRC Drill Bit Sizes Drill Bit Common Use #43 (0.089") Tap drill for 4-40 #36 (0.106") Tap drill for 6-32 ...

A pilot hole is a small hole drilled before the final hole size. Pilot holes improve accuracy and make larger holes easier to drill. Why Use a Pilot Hole? Pilot holes help: Keep the drill bit centered Reduce drill bit wandering Improve hole accuracy ...

Both drill presses and hand drills are commonly used in FRC fabrication. Choosing the correct tool depends on the accuracy, size, and location of the hole. Drill Press A drill press holds the drill bit perpendicular to the material and provides precise con...

Proper feed pressure and drill speed are important for producing clean holes, extending tool life, and improving safety. Feed Pressure Feed pressure is the amount of force applied while drilling. Apply steady, consistent pressure Let the drill bit do t...

Rivets are permanent mechanical fasteners commonly used in FRC for joining thin materials such as sheet metal and gussets to structural members. What Is a Rivet? A rivet is a fastener that permanently joins two or more materials by expanding inside a drill...

Blind rivets (also called “pop rivets”) are a common fastening method in FRC used to join materials when you only have access to one side of the joint. What Is a Blind Rivet? A blind rivet is a fastener that is installed from one side of the material using...

Blind rivets are a common fastening method in FRC used to join sheet metal, gussets, and extrusion when access is only available from one side. Two important factors when selecting rivets are size and grip range. 3/16" Rivets (Common FRC Size) 3/16" rivets...

A rivet gun is a tool used to install blind rivets in FRC. It works by pulling a mandrel through the rivet body, expanding it and locking materials together permanently. Types of Rivet Guns Hand Rivet Gun Manually operated with handles Most common in F...

Rivets are simple to install, but small errors can lead to weak joints, misalignment, or failed assemblies in FRC robots. Incorrect Hole Size Using a hole that is too large reduces holding strength Using a hole that is too small can deform the rivet or ...

A tapped hole is a drilled hole that has internal threads cut into it so a screw or bolt can be directly threaded into the material without using a nut. How It Works A hole is drilled to a specific size (called a tap drill size) A tool called a tap is u...

Page — Tap Drill Hole Sizes (10-32 and 1/4-20) Before tapping a hole, the correct drill bit diameter must be used. The tap drill is slightly smaller than the final thread size so the tap can cut threads into the material properly. 10-32 Tap Holes For a 10...

A hand tap is a tool used to cut internal threads into a drilled hole so that a screw or bolt can be directly fastened into material such as aluminum. Before Tapping Drill the correct tap drill size hole (example: #21 for 10-32, #7 for 1/4-20) Deburr th...

Cutting fluid is a lubricant used during drilling and tapping to reduce friction and heat. Why It’s Used Reduces heat buildup Lowers friction on tools Helps produce cleaner threads Extends drill and tap life When to Use It Tapping aluminum (10...

Preventing broken taps comes down to control, preparation, and patience. Key Habits Drill the correct tap drill size before starting Keep the tap perfectly straight Use cutting fluid to reduce friction Turn slowly and apply light, steady pressure Bac...

Aluminum is one of the most important materials in FRC. Different aluminum series have very different strengths, machining behavior, and real-world use in robot components. 6061-T6 Aluminum 6061-T6 is the most common structural extrusion material in FRC. ...

Steel is a strong, heavy metal sometimes used in FRC for high-strength or wear-resistant applications. While aluminum is more common, steel is chosen when extra strength or durability is required. Why FRC Teams Use Steel Steel is used because it: Has ve...

Polycarbonate (often called “polycarb”) is a tough, transparent plastic widely used in FRC for protective and structural sheet applications. Why FRC Teams Use Polycarbonate Polycarbonate is used because it: Is very impact resistant (won’t easily shatter...

SRPP is a glass-filled polypropylene sheet material commonly used in FRC, often supplied or popularized through vendors like West Coast Products. What It Is SRPP is a reinforced plastic made from: Polypropylene base material Glass fiber reinforcement ...