Guide to DIY with T-Slot Aluminum

[Projects with Sam]

Just wanted to update the build. I need to do some wire management. I bet there's a way to use the same thing as I do on network cabinets. Loom would be a pita.

I make a bunch of wire management stuff at ParlAquatics. Can do custom twist nuts if I don't have what you're looking for.

Though, What I suggested to a pal was to just get a vinyl gutter and cut it the length of the stand. Use the metal screw-to-lock style nuts and just put the gutter along the top back extrusion. Now its super easy to just toss all the wires and power bricks up there.

 

[Adamc13o3]

This is my first time working with this material. I placed an order today to build a light rack and just came across this thread. Can anyone tell me if I am missing anything or if my order will suffice? I want to build a light rack with this design.

 

[Adamc13o3]

The tank is 35.5 x 35.5 made by innovative marine. It's on an aluminium stand made from similar material to 80/20. the light being used will be the Neptune sky.

This order is all from 80/20

SKU: 1515 1.50” X 1.50” T-Slotted Profile - Four Open T-Slots (18 inches) - To go from bar in back of the tank to the front of the tank.

SKU: 1515 1.50” X 1.50” T-Slotted Profile - Four Open T-Slots (24 inches) - To be the bar the actual light mounts to

SKU: 1515 1.50” X 1.50” T-Slotted Profile - Four Open T-Slots (40 inches) - To be the bar that is attached to the stand (vertical bar)

SKU: 3368 90 Degree Inside Corner Connector - To use as connectors for the 2 points of connection between the bars (2 pieces)

SKU: 203GRA 15 Series End Cap with Push-In Fastener - To cover the ends of the bars, I should have two visible ends (2 pieces)

SKU: 6535 15 Series 3 Slot Mount - Double Flange Short High-Cycle Linear Bearing with Brake Holes - To screw into the back of my aluminium stand and have it pinch and hold the vertical bar

SKU: 6807 15 Series "L" Handle Linear Bearing Brake Kit - This appeared to be needed for the linear bearing to tighten it down. I also figured I can use this handle to loosen it and increase or decrease the height of the entire thing.

I was going to get a radion RMS slide mount (works with the sky) and then make a hole in the top of it. I would then

SKU: 3117 5/16-18 x .875" Button Head Socket Cap Screw (BHSCS) - Put through the hole drilled in the RMS mount

SKU: 2849 15 Series Rubber Bumper - To put between the RMS mount and the bar it's mounted to

SKU: 3203 15 Series 5/16-18 Standard Slide-In T-Nut - To slide into the bar that the light mounts to

SKU: 2110 15 Series Standard T-Slot Cover - To cover the cord from the light and have it sit in the Chanel on the bars


I did just see the mount for the Neptune sky that neonreef3d made and will send a message to see if I can buy that. It means I won't need a few of these parts including an RMS mount and just looks so much cleaner. If anyone can let me know that this all works and is compatible I would greatly appreciate it!


Thanks in advance,

Adam

 

[Raptor72]

Great write up. I ordered a Waterbox LX 330.7 and it has a 3030 aluminum stand which I’m supplementing with a few add ons here and there.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Thanks for the write-up. This is something I'm planning to use on this build.

 

[Sundog1966]

What is the thickness of the acrylic? I'm building a 42u rack cabinet, and the acrylic will form the sides with doors on the front and rear. I am also interested in placing LED strips inside the frame. Do they make strips to fill the T-slot so I have a mounting surface for the LEDs? Or are there clips that fit the T-slot for the LED strips?

 

[Sundog1966]

I make a bunch of wire management stuff at ParlAquatics. Can do custom twist nuts if I don't have what you're looking for.

Though, What I suggested to a pal was to just get a vinyl gutter and cut it the length of the stand. Use the metal screw-to-lock style nuts and just put the gutter along the top back extrusion. Now its super easy to just toss all the wires and power bricks up there.

Do you have the specs and material list for a 24u rack cabinet with front and rear doors for a 32" depth server with space for cables and wiring, Rear mounted PDU and RBG Unicron puke (LOL!)? and acrylic panels for the sides in UV sensitive acrylic. Ideally (If you have something handy without a lot of work), I would like a CAD drawing as well. (I, unfortunately, don't have time to learn CAD for a single project like this. I have some friends who might have available time to modify a drawing but not do one from scratch. TIA)

 

[Sundog1966]

I usually use a split wire loom for cable control. It comes in a variety of sizes up to 4" in diameter. You can also get flexible corrugated piping that is more rigid and it's available in a variety of diameters up to 6 inches.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Any reason the title was modified to "X"?

 

[Nano_Tuners]

Any reason the title was modified to "X"?

I was trying to reorganize/update it a while ago but couldn't come back and edit the title/info probably because its been so long. @Peace River if you guys can rename it would be great

 

[BZOFIQ]

I was trying to reorganize/update it a while ago but couldn't come back and edit the title/info probably because its been so long. @Peace River if you guys can rename it would be great

One of the mods should be able to fix it indeed. It was messing with my brain's algorithm.

 

[Peace River]

I was trying to reorganize/update it a while ago but couldn't come back and edit the title/info probably because its been so long. @Peace River if you guys can rename it would be great

Thanks for reaching out. I updated the title to: “Guide to DIY with T-Slot Aluminum”. Does this work or would you like me to change it to something else?

 

[afboundguy]

I had a question and I can't remember if it was covered in here but how would I connect 2020 to 3030? I am doing my stand out of 3030 but want to use 2020 to hang the lights and also possibly do the desk portion in 2020 as it won't require nearly as much strength.

Is it as simple as just using 2020 t-nuts on one side of the angle bracket and 3030 t-nuts on the other side of the bracket?

 

[PharmrJohn]

What kind of tools do I need to build one of these? Obviously a drill, but what else?

 

[kchristensen8064]

I am in the process of a build and used tslot for my stand. This stuff is amazing! No drill needed for me, I cut the tslot on my miter saw and Allen wrenchs for the rest. I used 4040, 4080, and 40120 because I had some available to me at work.

 

[tharbin]

I had a question and I can't remember if it was covered in here but how would I connect 2020 to 3030? I am doing my stand out of 3030 but want to use 2020 to hang the lights and also possibly do the desk portion in 2020 as it won't require nearly as much strength.

Is it as simple as just using 2020 t-nuts on one side of the angle bracket and 3030 t-nuts on the other side of the bracket?

I haven't built a stand personally but Tenecor built a stand for me out of 45x45 and 45x90 with a 30x30 light mount. The way they did it was pretty much as you figured. They used 45 series brackets with 45 series T-Nuts/screws on the 45x side and 30 series T-Nuts/screws on the 30x side however they also used washers under the screws on the 30 series side due to the smaller screw heads.

 

[afboundguy]

I haven't built a stand personally but Tenecor built a stand for me out of 45x45 and 45x90 with a 30x30 light mount. The way they did it was pretty much as you figured. They used 45 series brackets with 45 series T-Nuts/screws on the 45x side and 30 series T-Nuts/screws on the 30x side however they also used washers under the screws on the 30 series side due to the smaller screw heads.

Excellent thanks! I bought some super cheap 2020 t-nuts and they work except the 3030 M6 screws are too long but that's an easy fix!

 

[afboundguy]

Need to get some PVC sheets to put on top to transfer the tank this weekend if I have time!