02-19-2014, 02:22 AM
Bunnings a big box home improvement store chain here in Australia sells something similar under the Connect-it brand.
I feel pretty confident in saying that if we can get such stuff here in OZ then you are bound to be able to get it in the US at home improvement stores.
Basically 25.4 mm x 25.4 mm [1" x 1" for you non metricated folks] aluminium tube in two lengths 1.2m or 3.0m [@ 4ft. and 3 yards] in natural or a range of colours. There are also a couple of profiles in addition to square if you wish to support glass or timber shelves.
I have used the system for a project at work and it is good, just as long as you work within the limitations of the aluminium and the plastic joiners.
I would suggest that the use of discretely placed self tapping screws to lock the joiners and aluminium together, just pre-drill a pilot hole for the self tapper. Make a drilling jig for the aluminium tube and also for the plastic joiners and that way when you go to re use them when you re-configure something, it will all go together easily [in theory].
The plastic connectors come in a range of shapes from simple elbows through to 3, 4, 5, and 6 way connections and end caps. One thing I did was I bought the more numerous [5 and or 6] connectors and cut off the arms I didnt need. I used to other more specific connectors where they were to be seen. This tip will come in handy if your local store doesnt stock all of the particular type you need.That was my particular problem,
. You can always cut an arm off from a 5 or a 6 to keep your project moving along and we are all used to working with plastics here.
If you wish to cut the aluminium with your drop saw, you can this stuff is only thin, just do it carefully, wear safety glasses and ear muffs [it screeches when cut] and use a high teeth number blade, use a lube stick or failing that use some WD-40. Think about where the shavings will go as sweeping up on concrete is one thing, trying to get aluminium shavings out of carpet or embeded in lino or a plaster wall. Make you cut slowly and when finished allow the blade to stop before lifting up, this is to prevent the blade grabbing the off-cut and throwing it probably at you.
If you dont like the idea of cutting al. with a dropsaw, you can use a hack saw and I would suggest that you see if you can get a small mitre box a bit like the one Atlas sells [or that one] and mounting that to your work bench will help you to make nice neat square cuts. A fine bastard mill file or failing that some sandpaper glued to a wooden block, can be used to dress up the ragged ends following cutting.
Hope this helps
Mark
I feel pretty confident in saying that if we can get such stuff here in OZ then you are bound to be able to get it in the US at home improvement stores.
Basically 25.4 mm x 25.4 mm [1" x 1" for you non metricated folks] aluminium tube in two lengths 1.2m or 3.0m [@ 4ft. and 3 yards] in natural or a range of colours. There are also a couple of profiles in addition to square if you wish to support glass or timber shelves.
I have used the system for a project at work and it is good, just as long as you work within the limitations of the aluminium and the plastic joiners.
I would suggest that the use of discretely placed self tapping screws to lock the joiners and aluminium together, just pre-drill a pilot hole for the self tapper. Make a drilling jig for the aluminium tube and also for the plastic joiners and that way when you go to re use them when you re-configure something, it will all go together easily [in theory].
The plastic connectors come in a range of shapes from simple elbows through to 3, 4, 5, and 6 way connections and end caps. One thing I did was I bought the more numerous [5 and or 6] connectors and cut off the arms I didnt need. I used to other more specific connectors where they were to be seen. This tip will come in handy if your local store doesnt stock all of the particular type you need.That was my particular problem,
. You can always cut an arm off from a 5 or a 6 to keep your project moving along and we are all used to working with plastics here.If you wish to cut the aluminium with your drop saw, you can this stuff is only thin, just do it carefully, wear safety glasses and ear muffs [it screeches when cut] and use a high teeth number blade, use a lube stick or failing that use some WD-40. Think about where the shavings will go as sweeping up on concrete is one thing, trying to get aluminium shavings out of carpet or embeded in lino or a plaster wall. Make you cut slowly and when finished allow the blade to stop before lifting up, this is to prevent the blade grabbing the off-cut and throwing it probably at you.
If you dont like the idea of cutting al. with a dropsaw, you can use a hack saw and I would suggest that you see if you can get a small mitre box a bit like the one Atlas sells [or that one] and mounting that to your work bench will help you to make nice neat square cuts. A fine bastard mill file or failing that some sandpaper glued to a wooden block, can be used to dress up the ragged ends following cutting.
Hope this helps
Mark
Fake It till you Make It, then Fake It some More