Post by jakesrocks on Jul 1, 2013 13:06:59 GMT -5
As some of you already know, I've been planning to build a dedicated work bench for mineral/fossil prep work. Well, with the exception of a little 1/4" plywood and 3/4" MDF, I've finally assembled all of the parts I need. I'm building the frame from extruded aluminum T-Slot material. I have several reasons for choosing this material. #1 being strength to weight ratio. #2 is ease of assembly, (only one Allen wrench needed). #3, it's super easy to add or remove components from the bench.
I must warn that this material isn't cheap. For that reason I've carefully selected off cuts from the companies surplus inventory. Instead of having to buy the material in 12' lengths, pay for shipping over length material, and have to cut everything to size, I've opted to go with pieces they have left over from large cut to order projects. They usually have pieces numbered from 50 into the hundreds of measured lengths of surplus material at a considerable savings. It means that you have to adapt your project to the lengths of material available. Not a problem for a project that was nothing but scribbled lines on paper.
Also, this material comes in several different sizes or series. I'm using all series 10 material in my build. One must be careful when ordering materials to get everything from the same series.
Anyway, to familiarize myself with the material, I built a storage rack for Riker Mount display boxes. The pic isn't the best. It was very overcast when I took the pic, but you'll get the idea of what I put together in an afternoon. I only put one Riker box in the rack. There's room for 10, and I can easily add more shelves if needed.
I'll try to add some pics this evening, and over the days as the build progresses. Here's a link to the only company I've found that has a reliable source of this material. stores.ebay.com/8020-Inc-Garage-Sale
I must warn that this material isn't cheap. For that reason I've carefully selected off cuts from the companies surplus inventory. Instead of having to buy the material in 12' lengths, pay for shipping over length material, and have to cut everything to size, I've opted to go with pieces they have left over from large cut to order projects. They usually have pieces numbered from 50 into the hundreds of measured lengths of surplus material at a considerable savings. It means that you have to adapt your project to the lengths of material available. Not a problem for a project that was nothing but scribbled lines on paper.
Also, this material comes in several different sizes or series. I'm using all series 10 material in my build. One must be careful when ordering materials to get everything from the same series.
Anyway, to familiarize myself with the material, I built a storage rack for Riker Mount display boxes. The pic isn't the best. It was very overcast when I took the pic, but you'll get the idea of what I put together in an afternoon. I only put one Riker box in the rack. There's room for 10, and I can easily add more shelves if needed.
I'll try to add some pics this evening, and over the days as the build progresses. Here's a link to the only company I've found that has a reliable source of this material. stores.ebay.com/8020-Inc-Garage-Sale