In this video we will be using Extruded Aluminum to build our robot’s Chest frame in which we’ll be able to start populating it with various electronic circuits and batteries. While our specific project is robot related, this will mostly cover the construction techniques and parts needed when working with Extruded Aluminum, so even those who have other types of projects in mind will hopefully find this helpful.

We picked Extruded Aluminum for its light weight, strength and flexibility. There are a myriad of parts you can use to assemble this material, and we’ll show you most of them, as we bought a good variety to test during this build. We’re using the 1010 Series (about 1 inch square, or 25.4 millimeters) from the 80/20, Inc. manufacturer, but there are other suppliers as well in different sizes to meet the needs for a variety of project ideas you might have.  This material has been used to build 3D Printers, furniture, van conversion cabinet framing and has even been used in larger sizes for various forms of construction finishes.

Extruded Aluminum, while very versatile, is also a bit pricing. We’d quoted an average cost of around $5/foot in the video, but in reality, the limited stock we go, even with our shipping tip, came out to around $6.26 per foot. Ordering in larger quantities, as we’d summarized we would, will drop the cost per foot, but don’t forget about the connecting parts which will add to the cost. If you need the ability, though, to adjust things on the fly, or reimagine your structure setup, this can very easily make up for that extra cost. Additionally, being constructed out of aluminum, really gives it an advantage when strength is needed, but the weight of steel creates problems.

We hope you like our video and appreciate you checking it out.

Stay safe!