If you're looking to create a practical, durable, and customizable design with aluminum 8020, you’re in the right place! This tutorial will guide you through the essential steps and showcase the impressive versatility of this modular material. Aluminum 8020 allows you to bring your vision to life with precision and ease. Let’s get started and unlock the full potential of this incredible building material!
Hi! I’m Erick, and today I’m excited to show you how to design and build a sleek, functional, and highly customizable desk using aluminum 8020. Whether you’re looking to create the ultimate workspace, a study area, or a crafting station, aluminum 8020 offers the perfect blend of durability, versatility, and style. Let’s dive into why this material is ideal and how you can construct your very own custom desk.
Aluminum 8020 is an industrial-grade, modular material renowned for its strength and adaptability. Its lightweight yet sturdy nature makes it ideal for supporting desktops, monitors, and other equipment without sagging or wobbling. Additionally, the modular design allows for unparalleled customization—you can tailor the desk’s height, dimensions, and additional features to perfectly suit your needs.
Thanks to its compatibility with various connectors and fasteners, assembling a desk with aluminum 8020 is as straightforward as building with an advanced LEGO set. The flexibility to add shelves, cable management systems, or monitor mounts makes it the ultimate solution for a personalized desk.
Planning Your Custom Desk
Before you start building, it’s essential to plan the design:
Take measurements of your available space and decide what equipment or items the desk needs to support. This will help you finalize the design and ensure it’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Start by assembling the rectangular frame that will support the desktop. Use sturdy aluminum 8020 beams to construct the base and crossbars for additional stability.
Attach vertical columns at each corner of the frame to define the height of the desk. If you plan to add upper shelves or a monitor mount, make sure these supports extend above the desktop height.
Select a surface material such as wood, acrylic, or metal to serve as the desk’s top. Secure it to the frame using screws or brackets. Aluminum 8020’s precise design ensures a snug and stable fit.
Use aluminum 8020 beams and connectors to add extra features:
Check all connections to ensure the desk is sturdy and secure. Tighten any loose screws and add reinforcements if needed, especially if the desk will support heavy equipment like multiple monitors.
Once your desk is assembled, personalize it to match your style and needs:
The modular nature of aluminum 8020 makes it easy to modify or expand your desk in the future. Need more workspace? Add an extra section. Want to adapt it for standing? Swap in taller vertical supports.
Building a desk with aluminum 8020 offers unmatched flexibility and functionality. It’s not just a piece of furniture—it’s a workspace tailored to your exact needs and style. Plus, the ability to tweak and upgrade the design over time ensures your desk evolves with you.
Follow these steps to create a desk that’s as durable as it is stylish, and enjoy the satisfaction of building something uniquely yours. Let’s get started and turn your workspace vision into reality!
Is this a downloadable app?
No! It all works on the browser. It works on your phone as well as your computer!
Is it free?
Yes the app is 100% free.
Can I save my design?
Yes! You can save your design in your account.
Can I share my design?
Yes! You'll have a unique URL for every design you save which you can send to anyone! They can then see or clone the design. They cannot edit your design. You can also delete it whenever you'd like.
What materials do you support?
Crafty currently have 1000 parts across aluminum 8020, steel, wood, HVAC and PVC! Let us know if we're missing a part.
Where did the idea for this app come from?
I spent a year building an off grid farm and knew nothing about construction / plumbing / electrical work…
I saw that most people had to go the hardware store multiple times and many times they weren’t able to finish their work that day because the vendor didn’t have the part. So I thought if you can design your project beforehand, it will allow us to check for compatibility while you’re designing and then be able to send you all the parts! Much easier!
Can I connect PVC to wood, t-slot / aluminum 8020?
Yes. There are transition parts that allow you to connect PVC to wood or wood to aluminum 8020. If there is interest, we will start adding parts like motors and electrical components as well.
The idea for Crafty is to be a place where you can design your entire project with all of its components so when you want to get to building, all you need to do is order!
Do you have everything in stock?
No, not everything. We currently have about half of the parts and our goal is to little by little add more.
For the parts we don't have, we will give you a link for the provider that you can buy it from. Hopefully as the app gets more traction, we will start to carry more and more items so we can ship you everything in one set.
How do you deal with long and heavy parts (like 2x4s)?
When you have parts longer than 36" or of a certain kind (like lumber beyond a certain WxH), we just give you the dimension / exact length for you to go buy that at your local store. It doesn't make much sense to ship a 2x4 :)
Are you going to add more parts?
Yes. This current set of parts that you see on the app is our initial set. We just finished this version in late April 2023 so we’re listening to the feedback we get and will evolve the app to be the best that it can be for all of you!
Why not just use CAD?
You can! If you have all the parts downloaded already and are an expert in CAD software. Also, I would hope that your CAD software gives you a clean output of all the parts / their exact measurements.
What CAD software won't do is allow you to share the design online and allow others to see your design and specs.
Do you have tips I can follow for different materials?
Sure! Here are some basic concepts.
How to Use 80/20 Aluminum
How to Cut PVC Pipe
Can I Connect PVC Pipe with Metal Threads?
How to Connect PVC Pipe without Glue
Do you have any tutorials on how to use the app?
Yes please visit our YouTube Channel and learn about:
Crafty Amigo Tutorial: Design Your Woodworking Project!
Crafty Amigo Tutorial: How to design your DIY PVC Project!
Do you remember the first time you made something for yourself?
It’s such an empowering feeling.
Whether you're 8 or 80... have no experience building anything or you’re a veteran diyer...
Live in a tiny apartment or have a garage full of tools...
Anyone should be able to imagine → design → make things the way they think it should be done!