Anyone here built an 80/20 stand? I am looking and thinking it'd be just as strong as a welded steel stand and cost maybe a bit less. I have seen photos of them in use, but wanting some hands on experience opinion.
80/20 Stand
- Thread starter TexasMFK31
- Start date
Nvm, I priced it and it isn't worth it. Was pushing $2k without any finishing touches to the stand. Call it a day folks!
Ive never played with that stuff what is like aluminum framing with universal connections?
Essentially, extruded aluminum. Very handy to work and make stuff with. Vertically standing pieces can sustain 35k psi so it would be extremely durable as well. But, by the time you purchase the hardware to put it all together and everything I was pushing 2K for my stand.
I could see how that could get expensive and welded steel would probably still be a better choice all around, especially if you have your own welder.
Yeah, I got a guy who has a 10'2'x43" metal stand. I think I"ll buy it, cut it in half then open flat. Then weld on new bottom/top to it as 2 separate stands. Then using plywood join them together on top.
I’ve used 80/20 before and it is good stuff but can be a pain to work with. It’s very difficult to get the fasteners in and you have no room to torque them tight. On top of that, as you found out, it’s very expensive. At work, we replaced a lot of stuff we used to make using 80/20 with welded steel that we outsource to a local weld shop. It’s much cheaper that way.
Well, a custom stand the size I'm needing is roughly $1500. I did find an off brand of 80/20 from McMaster Carr that would put the stand around $1200. I have worked with it before and I understand some of the struggle. This off brand has gusset supports for 2x1 that is 12" long 45* angles. It seems promising, just need to decide my route I am going to go. Cause the 2 tanks I've seen with it as a stand, sure are sharp.
Just the look overall. At 8x5 inside dimensions it's a large tank and being the divider of my living room/dining room the metal with insets would look better IMO than a plywood wrapped stand.