Comments on: A Real Erector Set — You Know, For Adults

By: SuperJdynamite

SuperJdynamite — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:43:09 +0000

80/20 also has an eBay outlet.

By: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » The Week in Tools: Toolmonger’s Top 5

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:53:56 +0000

[...] A Real Erector Set — You Know, For Adults Want to build with aluminum but don’t have a TIG (or a MIG gun and a lot of experience)? This is your ticket. Think of it as an all-aluminum erector set for adults. [...]

By: Nate Bezanson

Nate Bezanson — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:47:30 +0000

Unistrut is truly awesome, a similar concept but slightly larger, a good bit stronger, and definitely cheaper. But it doesn’t look so slick; you wouldn’t want to use it for a presentation podium like in Simon’s pictures.

I’ve built some crazy stuff with a B-line unistrut parts catalog, a cooperative warehouse guy, and a little imagination. It’s important that you have a good selection of fittings, since all the magic happens at the corners. Check it out.

It’d be neat to see experienced users of 80/20 compete with experienced users of Unistrut to build similar stuff, then compare it on cost, time, strength, and number of unique parts required. In my book, they’re two similar tools to attack slightly different problems, both worthy of attention.

By: Simon

Simon — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 03:56:57 +0000

I use Minitec (German variety) since they have a patented fastener which does not need the extrusion to be drilled for connections. They can also be adjusted anytime which is great for people who design as they build.

I use this stuff mostly because anything you make is covered in a t-slot which is great for adding accessories which can be removed/added/adjusted easily.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplesimon/sets/72157594165119491/

By: Evan N.

Evan N. — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:25:35 +0000

Don’t forget Unistrut!!! Get it from McMaster-Carr. Same concept as this, might be cheaper.

By: Will

Will — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:22:54 +0000

80/20 is used a lot in industrial automation. We make walls of guarding around moving parts using 80/20 and Lexan (which tucks into the slotted versions). In engineering we also use it for prototyping. Long-term we still use welded steel for most structures since they can be machined to tighter tolerances. One problem with the lock washers is that they indent the extruded aluminum, so if you try to adjust a piece very slightly the washers want to slip back into the old indentations as you tighten.

By: bryce

bryce — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:41:30 +0000

I saw that welded steel comparison in the beginning of a 80/20 parts book. They had a price of labor at 5 hours at $20 a hour. (Cutting, Grinding down burrs, prep for welding, welding, etc..) That is how the price got out of wack.

I’m not dissing the 80/20 though. The stuff looks awesome and I am looking to build a CNC maching in the future with it.