Introduction
This article is intended for those who are just starting out in VEX V5 and may be new to building, more specifically, building with metal. The purpose of this article is to familiarize you with the tools provided in the V5 Kit in order to begin building. The V5 Kits contain two main tools; the Open End Wrench and the T15/T8 Star Drive Key or T15/T8 Star Screwdriver. View the video below as well as the information included in the rest of this article to learn more about these tools and their uses.
V5 Tool Uses
Open End Wrench
The purpose of the Open End Wrench is to hold a nut or standoff in place while a screw is being secured to it. By holding the nut or standoff in place with the wrench, it will allow the screw to be securely fastened to your build.
In V5, the smaller end of the wrench is used to hold:
- #8-32 Low Profile Nuts
- #8-32 Standoffs
- Length of the standoff does not matter.
The larger end of the wrench is used to hold:
- #8-32 Nylock Nuts
- #8-32 Hex Nuts
- #8-32 Keps Nuts
T15 Star Drive Key / T15 Star Screwdriver
The purpose of the T15 Star Drive Key (pictured first) as well as the T15 Star Screwdriver (pictured second) is to drive all the #8-32 Star Drive Screws. This is done by using the unique star drive shape of the key driving the imprinted #8-32 Star Drive Screw.
For more information and a demonstration on securing screws to nuts, view this article from the VEX Library.
T8 Star Drive Key / T8 Star Screwdriver
The purpose of the T8 Star Drive Key (pictured first) as well as the T8 Star Screwdriver (pictured second) is to drive all the #8-32 Star Drive Set Screws. These star drive set screws are the smaller screws located in Universal Joints and Star Drive Shaft Collars.
For more information and a demonstration on securing screws to nuts, view this article from the VEX Library.