I was browsing 80/20’s website today and came across a free sample offer.
The sample kit includes 2 small sections of aluminum profiles, an end fastener, an anchor fastener, and a hex wrench.
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I love working with 80/20. I liked working with it when I bolted projects together using angle brackets and other external hardware, but I’m liking it a lot more now that I’m familiar with their custom cutting and machining services.
This is what one of my earlier cabinet designs looked like.
Here’s another iteration, after I moved to anchor fasteners and started prototyping a solution that would wrap around the corner of a room.
80/20 is pricey stuff to work with, but its versatility can make up for that. I’ve seen it used for simple tool enclosures, to elaborate CNC setups.
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They have a photo gallery choc-full of project examples, and an Xtreme DIY series where they discuss and show off some of their own example projects.
This is a good opportunity to see what 80/20 is all about.
Offer Details(via 80/20)
There might be a limited quantity of sample sets available.
What I’m wondering is whether you can actually build anything with the parts they send you. Two small aluminum profiles and two fasteners of different types? Depending on the length they provide, if you have access to a miter saw with non-ferrous aluminum-cutting blade, a drill bit, and tap, you might be able to make… I really don’t know. Something? Still, it’s a chance to check out how it works, and for free.
Update: I placed a small order with 80/20 yesterday, and should point out – they will very likely share your contact information with a regional partner of theirs. I found this to be annoying at first, but after a few orders though a regional distributor, I’m actually glad they did. They give me a discount on large orders, and sometimes get back to me faster than 80/20 can. So for large orders I go with the dealer, and for small ones I order from 80/20 directly, for expediency.
Jason
Nice, thanks – in for one!
Framer joe
I’ll check it out ,thanks?…
Jef4130
You can get “off cuts” and “defective” parts from 80/20inc on their eBay listings for decent pricing. Super easy stuff to work with, can get amazing clean cuts on a good miter saw with a Diablo D1084L blade.
Greg
I really love the concept behind 80/20 stuff, they have some neat software plug-ins where you can basically work with the 80/20 catalog of stuff in auto cad setting. I was using a demo version of auto-cad. Took a little getting used to but ultimately pretty darn cool.
Nathan
interesting I have to ask. If you don’t mind sharing.
For one of your sets like posted above how much would that cost? If I wanted to replicate your drawer cabinet – in just the 80/20 parts and pieces nothing else. what does that cost?
As I look at it I can’t help but imagine it would be cheaper for me to make a garage cabinet out of say 2×2 and other wood and work from there. However wood is getting expensive too now. So maybe I’m far off base.
Kyle
Not my question to answer but just to give you some ball-park ideas – you can get a lot of 8020 type products on McMaster-Carr and the typical 1.5″ x 1.5″ extrusion, 3′ length is around $20.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#aluminum-extrusions/=1eeccqs
click on “T-Slot Framing and Fittings”
probably somewhat cheaper through 8020 or a distributor, but definitely expensive compared to big box hardware store lumber if that’s your point of comparison.
Stuart
I’ve been too scared to add it all up. Not really, it’s more of an issue of building things in stages.
It is absolutely cheaper to work with plywood or 2x material, often quite a bit less.
It’s even cheaper to buy 26″ tool cabinets and bolt them together onto a leveled platform.
satch
I love this sort of product. It really piques the tinkerers interest in me and the slightly OCD I have toward organisers, cabinets, etc.
I did watch a few YouTube videos on this product and one of the more complete builds was a guy who built a rack system for harbor freight parts organisers. To me, a bit of a weird combination. Using one of the more expensive building materials to construct a rack to hold the cheapest suitcase style organisers made. Oh well.
The build specs were interesting. He built a rack three bays wide and tall enough to hold six of the organisers in each bay. Three were the shallower depth and three were for slightly taller versions in each bay. He used the 1.5 inch size extrusions and made the frame and sliding trays for each box from it. The trays were a rectangle with a mdf insert for the tray floor. Each tray was attatched to the frame with drawer sliders. A very clean and professional looking project. He estimated the cost at just over $450. I would say the frame assembly was around five feet wide, 3+ feet high and around 18 inches front to back. So yes, very spendy. Cool as anything though.
ToolOfTheTrade
I’m sure the free sample is nothing that can be used to make anything considering the cost of 80/20. The price of this stuff is ridiculous. An 8′ piece is $35 plus $14 shipping plus $13 tax from grainger. A 2′ piece is $12 plus $11 shipping on eBay. A 6′ piece is $21 from Walmart. The price gets higher the more intricate the piece. That’s $100 just to make one 4×2′ frame for drawers. Several hundred dollars to make a wrapped drawer frame or desk like the one in the picture. That doesn’t include the drawers and hardware. It looks nice, but not something I would opt for considering the prices. Not exactly what I would call affordable compared to the price of other aluminum framing alternatives or other structurally suitable materials to make drawers, desk, or shelving frames with.
Stuart
Of course not. It seems like a hands-on introduction to the system for new potential customers.
Ben
I’ve built a bunch of cabinets with Fastek’s Aluminium extrusion. It worked out 10-20% cheaper and i’m thrilled with the end result.
I’ve been posting my builds on Instagram – http://www.dusty.tools.
Ben
That should have been Faztek
Stuart
I’ve been watching – looks great!
What size/strength gas struts did you use for the router table?
satch
Ben, thank you for sharing. Those projects look fabulous. The router table looks like something designed by Rockler. On steroids! And the table/bench with the dog holes looks great too. Nice stuff.
Brent
Do you have a set of plans you worked off of for your drawer unit ?
Stuart
No. It was trial and error.
I started with brackets and different ways of attaching drawer slides, and then spaced things out to perfectly align with the drawer slide holes.
I have 1530 (1.5″ x 3″, 1.5″ centers) extrusions separated with custom cut-to-length extrusions. I have Blum undermount drawer slides mounted to the first slot of each “leg” extrusion. I sized things to attach them by the second and last hole, and this *just* brings the drawers flush with the front of the extrusions.
I had to go with 2020 (2″ x 2″, 1″ centers) extrusions for a different rack, because it worked better for different attachments I wanted to use.
When everything is finalized (I’m still working on drawers and benchtops), I’ll take photos and explain the process behind everything.
ktash
Cool! I sent away for the samples. Always wondered about 80/20.
TonyT
I love samples, because you can’t really judge the quality until you hold it yourself – or discover quirks until you play with it. Descriptions and 3D models only go so far.
I have sampled many connectors before designing them in. At work right now I plan on ordering some new PLCs to try out (we’re thinking about going to Ethernet connected which would be a big change so I don’t want to do that on a production schedule)
RK Hughey
I placed an order for this sample promotion and only received two small brochures, no product samples