Any links to cheaper aluminum extrusion is appreciated. The ITEM extrusion catalog had many accessories to build things like cabinets, desks, office cubicles, etc. The numerous accessories that ITEM has shows how versitle their items can be used to build all sorts of things and I heard that they continually add new products. They have linear bearings, proximity switches, etc. I would say ITEM is the leader in extrusions. However, I found that their prices are 20-40% more costly. Instead, I can buy the basic 8020.net stuff and save on shipping cost by picking it up myself at their local LA branch office. The disadvantage is ITEM only sells metric and no fractional sizes. I plan on buying almost everything from 8020.net. There is a "bed place" that ITEM has that 8020 does not which can be used for the top XY table which is nice. Item has this nice fastener that screws inside the beam which requires no holes being drilled and looks better since it is hidden inside the extrusion and does not show. One plan is to buy 2" length samples of each beam I plan to buy from both 8020 and ITEM to make sure their dimensions are a match and buy a couple of ITEM accessories to make sure they work on 8020 stuff. |