MDF and PVC are nice, but do you have something more...standard?

March 28, 2007 8:01 AM

Is there an adult equivalent of a modular construction set (Erector Set, fischertechnik, K'Nex, Tinker Toys, etc.,) suitable for building more serious projects (desks, projector enclosures, tables)?

What I'm thinking of is modular building blocks in varying lengths, widths and depths the and hardware to connect it. The system would be more sturdy (sturdier?) than plastic lego bricks and Erector angle brackets but not as serious or heavy-duty as Rexroth Bosch's MGE modular profile system (a system more suited to industrial use than just playing around with concepts).

So is there something in between a toy and an industrial custom-manufactured solution? Or must I cut my own materials and bolt them together?

posted by ostranenie to technology (13 comments total)

The cubicles at my office all seem to be made out of something like this.
posted by hermitosis at 8:30 AM on March 28, 2007

That MGE system you link to is an example of what is more generally called a "structural framing system," and perhaps the most expensive such example. McMaster-Carr has others.

When I lived in Japan, I had a desk that was basically made out of one of these systems, using L-section beams, corner brackets, and flat work surfaces. I haven't been able to find the same system since (there is something similar at McMaster-Carr), which is too bad, but it was very much like giant tinkertoys.

I've never seen anything that snaps together like Lego, and my gut tells me it would be unlikely, because a snap-together system won't have much structure, and because it would be difficult for a single type of module to serve both the enclosing and framing aspects of a modular system.
posted by adamrice at 8:34 AM on March 28, 2007

A couple thoughts:
EZTube
mk T-slots
80-20

...none are exactly cheap, however.
posted by aramaic at 8:36 AM on March 28, 2007 [2 favorites]

Some of the modular furniture systems such as Shelfstore here in the UK might fit your description. You could furnish your whole house with this stuff.

...no wheels though.
posted by rongorongo at 8:54 AM on March 28, 2007

80-20's HT series was exactly was I was looking for. Other (more) suggestions appreciated though! Thanks.
posted by ostranenie at 9:01 AM on March 28, 2007

I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but when I used to work in a theater and we wanted to throw together something quick-and-dirty like that, we tended to use perforated steel pieces. Not sure what the real name for them is, but they're L-shaped (or flat, or U-shaped) pieces of metal with holes punched every inch or so. You can generally find a small selection at Home Depot. You can fit them together with angle brackets and bolts. Unfortunately you'll still need to cut the pieces to length (because they're generally sold in at least 8' lengths, sometimes more), but it's easy to do with a hacksaw, particularly on sheet-steel ones. You can also fabricate reusable connectors out of blocks of hard wood (with through holes for the bolts; you don't screw into the wood).

The other thing that comes to mind, and has always struck me as being really flexible, is steel pipe and the various fittings used to assemble it into structures. It's probably overkill for what you want (and requires cutting the pipe to length), but there's lots of stuff around for building with it. Not sure of the "official" names but the connectors are generally called Roto-Locks and Chesboroughs.

On preview, those structural framing systems are probably more up your alley, although their cost explains why I've never seen one anywhere I've worked.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:11 AM on March 28, 2007

Unistrut is another option, though it doesn't look as nice as the 80-20 stuff.

Interestingly, having read this question it seems that we have some tables at work made out of 80-20. They're pretty nice so it's good to know where I can get more!
posted by pombe at 9:41 AM on March 28, 2007

I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing, but I have modular shelves that we bought in 1975 at a German department store called "Masse" (?).. it's basically a bunch of different sized wooden legs and shelves, and you can build up / break down any kind of table or series of shelves. I still depend on it even after 32 years. However I've never seen anything like it since, at least in the U.S.
posted by zek at 9:51 AM on March 28, 2007

Is there anything like ShelfStore in the U.S? Please don't say IKEA.
posted by TorontoSandy at 10:17 AM on March 28, 2007

When I was working in a portable military operations center a few years ago, the guys building the structure kept talking about "Cheeseburgers." Now I realize that was their term for Chesboroughs - portable screw clamps that attach pipes to one another.
posted by ostranenie at 10:28 AM on March 28, 2007

Quadro? (See also.)

A, er, bit more colourful than the 80/20 stuff. It is sold as a toy, but the set I had as a kid included directions for building a bar, so it's a reasonable guess that adults use it, too.
posted by kmennie at 11:05 AM on March 28, 2007 [1 favorite]

Not sure what the real name for them is, but they're L-shaped (or flat, or U-shaped) pieces of metal with holes punched every inch or so.

That's known as "angle iron", even though it's actually steel.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 12:40 PM on March 28, 2007

Kee Klamps (pipe connectors)
Hollaender Speed-Rails (More pipe connectors)
Simpson Strong-Ties (Dimensional lumber connectors)
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 3:11 PM on March 28, 2007 [1 favorite]