Derek H Posted September 7, 2020 Report Share Posted September 7, 2020 So after pouring over countless T-slot cart designs I’m about to put in my own order with 80/20 for a custom cut and milled kit to build a smallish, collapsible follow cart. Wondering if any of you who have done the deep dive into extruded aluminum T-slot contraptions would have any general advice? Things to watch out for or design mistakes to avoid? Connectors you hated? Some specific questions I have.. how does the anodized black framing stand up to wear and tear? Anyone use the “Central connector”? Thanks! Derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul F Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 I avoided the central connector. Having never used it, I don't trust it. I can't find a spec on its load rating. I wanted everything rock solid without me worrying about failure. Hopefully, someone can provide some assuring stories about how well they work. I mostly used 4-hole inside corner gussets in compression. For lighter things I used 2-hole inside corner gussets. As you probably noticed, many people go with the flat plate joining plates. Crank down the screws. I had a couple come loose. Anodizing is pretty tough stuff. I went with black. No problems No matter how long you study it and design it, you will want to redesign it or add to it. That's the fun thing about t-slot. It's so versatile. Go with the biggest diameter wheels you feel comfortable with. The bigger, the smoother, especially if you get onto a lawn or a field. Don't forget wheel locks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted September 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 Thanks, I’m going to use central connectors for a portion of my design so I’ll let you know how they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanpeds Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 I’ve used both external fasteners such as the L and T plates and also the standard end fasteners. Both have held up well. I’ve never had an end fastener fail. I’ve also never lost a bolt from any of my fasteners. I usually just order lengths and cut my own and invested in the jig to drill the holes for the end fasteners. If you have any basic machine skills you can bore and thread the extrusions for the end fasteners. It’s pretty quick and easy and the end fasteners are way cheaper than the external fasteners. Make sure you get all of the pieces into the slots before assembling because it’s a pain when you realized that you missed one. They do have roll in nuts which are great for later adds you weren’t planning or if you want to move stuff around like hooks, or whatever you can imagine mounting to your cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted September 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 I was going to use end fasteners for securing a top shelf but then decided I wanted to be able to change the height of the top shelf and have it be continuously variable so I’m going with the central connector instead for that. Actually two per corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul F Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 Please post pictures when you are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted September 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 Will do, it will be a few weeks for sure. Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentine Posted September 9, 2020 Report Share Posted September 9, 2020 I only built a shelf for my Zuca cart but what I learned was: Black anodized still looks good and it's taken a serious beating. Locktite and crank down those screws or it will start to all come loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiefilm Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 On 9/7/2020 at 11:48 AM, Derek H said: So after pouring over countless T-slot cart designs I’m about to put in my own order with 80/20 for a custom cut and milled kit to build a smallish, collapsible follow cart. Wondering if any of you who have done the deep dive into extruded aluminum T-slot contraptions would have any general advice? Things to watch out for or design mistakes to avoid? Connectors you hated? Some specific questions I have.. how does the anodized black framing stand up to wear and tear? Anyone use the “Central connector”? Thanks! Derek Derek, The black anodizing is relatively durable in my opinion. I will soon be selling a very amazing and versatile 80/20 based cart I have been refining for over 3 years. I have a B.S. degree in architecture and 3 years experience working as a structural engineer for Skidmore. Owings & Merrill, designers of Sears Tower in Chicago. I have been involved in audio/video production since 2009. I assume you are using 15 series in order to be able to use those connectors? i know 80/20 is pretty expensive with their milling charges. Their connectors are very expensive too so I designed some of my own I believe are patentable which I will soon file for a patent on. Mine are easy to install and at a minimum are twice as strong. Are you using any rack mount gear? Are you wanting to be able to check as baggage with an airline? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted September 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 Hi indiefilm, Yes, 80/20s milling fees and connector prices are high ($3.70 per hole for drilling and counter sunk panel holes!). But what are you going to do? I don’t own the tools or have the space to do that work myself. I could get my hand drill and wood working clamps out and make the best of it but it would take ages and it would be a mess. And my kids would learn too many new words... Even with all that the total price of this cart should be slightly under an off-the-shelf magliner or backstage camera cart and hopefully suit my needs better and allow mods easier. I’d be curious to see your designs but sounds like you’re not ready to release it into the wild quite yet. DM me if you like. Or email at hansonsoundcorp at gmail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted September 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 I’ll add that no, for this particular cart I don’t need it to fly as checked baggage. I just want it to break down to just a few pieces so it can be transported in a car and quickly put back together again. We’ll see if I can pull that off. if I need a cart that I can check in on a flight I’d take my Kartmaster though I’ve never found a good way to bring the shelves along. It’s too bad that Remin never made a version 2.0 of the Kartmaster because it’s a great design and built like a tank. Mine is second hand (thanks Alex) and still going strong. I wish it were not quite as long, a little taller, had a better shelf with a lip all around and bigger wheels. But still, it’s my go-to corporate job cart when it’s just me and I need to bring in c-stands, blankets, etc and it’s all nice office building floors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiefilm Posted September 11, 2020 Report Share Posted September 11, 2020 7 hours ago, Derek H said: Hi indiefilm, Yes, 80/20s milling fees and connector prices are high ($3.70 per hole for drilling and counter sunk panel holes!). But what are you going to do? I don’t own the tools or have the space to do that work myself. I could get my hand drill and wood working clamps out and make the best of it but it would take ages and it would be a mess. And my kids would learn too many new words... Even with all that the total price of this cart should be slightly under an off-the-shelf magliner or backstage camera cart and hopefully suit my needs better and allow mods easier. I’d be curious to see your designs but sounds like you’re not ready to release it into the wild quite yet. DM me if you like. Or email at hansonsoundcorp at gmail. Thanks for your email. I will email you. Always looking for more input on the various features people want. This cart is unlike any other and more flexible as to setup than anything on the market, otherwise why bother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiefilm Posted September 17, 2020 Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 On 9/11/2020 at 6:26 AM, Derek H said: Hi indiefilm, Yes, 80/20s milling fees and connector prices are high ($3.70 per hole for drilling and counter sunk panel holes!). But what are you going to do? I don’t own the tools or have the space to do that work myself. I could get my hand drill and wood working clamps out and make the best of it but it would take ages and it would be a mess. And my kids would learn too many new words... Even with all that the total price of this cart should be slightly under an off-the-shelf magliner or backstage camera cart and hopefully suit my needs better and allow mods easier. I’d be curious to see your designs but sounds like you’re not ready to release it into the wild quite yet. DM me if you like. Or email at hansonsoundcorp at gmail. Did you get my email? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted September 17, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2020 I did, sorry, busy week! I’ll send a response this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiefilm Posted October 15, 2020 Report Share Posted October 15, 2020 On 9/8/2020 at 8:09 AM, Derek H said: Will do, it will be a few weeks for sure. Thanks everyone. Curious how your cart turned out? Any pics yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted October 15, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2020 Still waiting for delivery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiefilm Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 7 hours ago, Derek H said: Still waiting for delivery They told me they are swamped making guards to separate people for Covid. Glad, so far, my design does not required any CNCing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiefilm Posted October 26, 2020 Report Share Posted October 26, 2020 On 9/7/2020 at 8:07 PM, ryanpeds said:I usually just order lengths and cut my own and invested in the jig to drill the holes for the end fasteners. If you have any basic machine skills you can bore and thread the extrusions for the end fasteners. It’s pretty quick and easy and the end fasteners are way cheaper than the external fasteners. I usually just order lengths and cut my own Are you referring to lengths of the t-slot framing profiles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanpeds Posted October 28, 2020 Report Share Posted October 28, 2020 On 10/26/2020 at 2:53 PM, indiefilm said: Are you referring to lengths of the t-slot framing profiles? Yes. I usually buy the longest they will ship (102” I think) and then cut to the length I need for my project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiefilm Posted November 7, 2020 Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 On 10/15/2020 at 9:36 AM, Derek H said: Still waiting for delivery How’s the cart coming? Received any parts from 80/20 yet? I was considering having them do some custom milling for me but not if it takes forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2020 I got all the stuff I ordered last week plus picked up an order from McMaster for casters and miscellaneous hardware. hoping to start building this weekend sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiefilm Posted November 8, 2020 Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 Cool, which caster did you select? 6 hours ago, Derek H said: I got all the stuff I ordered last week plus picked up an order from McMaster for casters and miscellaneous hardware. hoping to start building this weekend sometime. Curious, do they charge the same for just drilling a round hole as for making a threaded hole or a complex CNCed hole? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted November 8, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2020 I don’t have the part numbers handy but just their standard 10” pneumatic casters. Two rigid, two swivel with foot brake. 4x4.5” plate mount I think. I think 80/20 charges less for a smooth drill through hole. I think it’s called an access hole in their parlance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted November 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2020 Amazing weather today.. finally found some time to dig into this cart project. Here’s about 3 hours work. First impressions... I like this T-slot stuff. Seems slightly fiddly at first but then gets really solid as you tighten things up. Pre-loading the hardware on things is the way to go. The panel material is called Alucobest and seems very solid. Basically a solid 1/4” slab of some kind of heavy duty plastic with very thin aluminum cladding on both sides. Hope it never catches fire cause I’m sure it will give me cancer. All of 80/20’s cuts and milling work was spot on and everything fit together easily. I used ‘central connectors’ in many places and I like them. They require special milling and you have to go through a distributor. Which I would recommend doing anyway. Sometimes it would be worth the extra money for the T-nuts with little spring balls to hold them in place... wasted a good chunk of time trying to locate the nuts just right for the bottom panel. Price came out to about the same as a converted magliner junior but I like this better and it has 10” wheels all around. Basically I wanted a camera case style cart but with modularity and my exact dimensions and I think I achieved that. Though not in the budget this year, the dimensions have rack drawers in mind and could be installed to either or both the long side and short side. Cheers, DH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indiefilm Posted November 11, 2020 Report Share Posted November 11, 2020 Thx for update and pics. Where did you order the Alucobest from and did they cut and drill it for you? Is it corrugated plastic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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