Best source for aluminum profiles in USA?

[maxtool]

I've finally ordered my Kapex (the recon prices tipped me) and want to build a workstation with an easy way to precisely cut specific or repeatable lengths of wood. It looks like the aluminum profiles would be a good way to assemble a workstation quickly and accurately.  I'd appreciate any advice on where to buy profile stock and on design.  I plan to eventually buy the CMS table but am not sure if there's any advantage to connecting these two projects (although my shop is small).
Thanks for your help!
Mac

 

[rmwarren]

8020 has an eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/8020-Inc-Garage-Sale?_trksid=p4340.l2563

Misumi sells direct and will cut pieces to exact sizes for you: http://www.misumiusa.com/CategoryImages/AluminumExtrusions/Extrusion-Browser.html

RMW

 

[Svar]

http://www.boschrexroth-us.com
The site is little awkward to navigate, but selection is outstanding, cut to size etc. Bosch might be better because their extrusions have flat sides. 8020 have 2 deg. slope towards the slot to act as spring load.

But I second 80/20 on e-bay. Probably the cheapest new stock.

 

[RONWEN]

http://www.boschrexroth-us.com
The site is little awkward to navigate, but selection is outstanding, cut to size etc. Bosch might be better because their extrusions have flat sides. 8020 have 2 deg. slope towards the slot to act as spring load.

But I second 80/20 on e-bay. Probably the cheapest new stock.

I used to deal with Bosch Rexroth -- they actually have a wider selection of extrusions than 8020 and will provide completed assemblies when required.  They were also ~40% higher cost than 8020 in many cases.

 

[greymann]

I have also found the 80/20 extrusions on Amazon.  They have similar prices but different items compared to EBay.  Both seem to vary from time to time, so check back if you don't find what you are looking for.  When looking at 80/20 vs Misumi you generally will need to decide on one and stick with it.  For instance the 40 series of 80/20 has an 8 mm slot and the Misumi has a 10 mm slot and won't mix well.

The web address for the Amazon site is:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=A1H481IPHNMK5K

Dick

 

[maxtool]

Excellent references and advice. Thank you. Has anyone tried building a workstation or sysport using profiles from these sources? I'm leaning toward what seems to be a lower cost option of the eBay store.

 

[Svar]

Actually the cheapest source by far is this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/23-Bosch-T-Slot-Metric-Aluminum-Extrusion-45x90MM-10Pc-/350619474443?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a28c9a0b
Check out this seller. Again Bosch-Rexroth. They used to sell a lot of extrusion and still do.
The drawback it is used and little beat up often with drilled holes, and only sold in bundles. OK, I guess it's not such a good deal, but it's cheap $/lb!

Has anyone tried building a workstation or sysport using profiles from these sources?
- Yep, right here:    http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/sysport-cms-mft-(work-in-progress)/?all
And here:  http://lumberjocks.com/JL7/blog/19588

 

[deepcreek]

Check out www.faztek.net for aluminum extrusions designed for building custom assemblies.  They have some neat stuff!

 

[maxtool]

Thanks all. I also found this source on another post as I was perusing OG this evening:
"I use a lot of 80/20 type extrusions for shop fixtures/jigs, I just found a great source and thought I would pass it along. The company is Misumi and they offer cut-to-length extrusions for less $$ than I can get 80/20 on eBay.

The profiles I most commonly use are 40mm or 1-1/2", both fit the Festool clamps. Misumi's part number for the 40mm light profile (similar to 80/20 4040-LS) is HSFL8, their cost is +/- $3.90/foot cut to length. 4' of 80/20 4040-LS sells for $26 on eBay, and you have to cut it yourself.

They also have a great search tool for all their extrusions and compatible hardware at:

http://www.misumiusa.com/CategoryImages/AluminumExtrusions/Extrusion-Browser.html

RMW"9

 

[rmwarren]

Thanks all. I also found this source on another post as I was perusing OG this evening:
"I use a lot of 80/20 type extrusions for shop fixtures/jigs, I just found a great source and thought I would pass it along. The company is Misumi and they offer cut-to-length extrusions for less $$ than I can get 80/20 on eBay.

The profiles I most commonly use are 40mm or 1-1/2", both fit the Festool clamps. Misumi's part number for the 40mm light profile (similar to 80/20 4040-LS) is HSFL8, their cost is +/- $3.90/foot cut to length. 4' of 80/20 4040-LS sells for $26 on eBay, and you have to cut it yourself.

They also have a great search tool for all their extrusions and compatible hardware at:

http://www.misumiusa.com/CategoryImages/AluminumExtrusions/Extrusion-Browser.html

RMW"9

maxtool, that was my post. Please note greymann's caution below that the Misumi profiles use different slot widths than 8020, something I failed to realize when I made the original post. As far as I know faztek is pretty much identical to 8020.

For the record I have only used 8020 and purchased everything on eBay. In the beginning their eBay store only sold overstock or remnants, but from what I have seen they are constantly adding new inventory. From what I can tell the auctions are overstock/remnants & the Buy-It-Now stuff is their standard inventory. They have recently added common lengths of most of their profiles, 12/18/24/36/48/72 &96".

They have always been willing to add items to my order that they did not have listed on eBay (you can download their entire catalog in section as a PDF on their website), I emailed them with the qty/part # and they modified the eBay invoice before I paid to add the other stuff.  Also - if you order multiple 8020 items on eBay wait for them to send you an invoice, the freight is always less than that calculated by eBay and they pass along that savings to you.

Enjoy!

RMW

 

[maxtool]

RMA- thanks so much for that clarification; as a reult I am leaning toward the 80/20 and compatible.
I'm also thinking of a top edge on the infeed and out feed sides that is from festool (Mft) with a plan to be able to attach a cms BUT the combination of the two systems may create more complexity than its worth.
Maxtool