We’ve built everything from aquarium stands and fume enclosures to machine frames and catwalks out of T-slots.  If you can build it out of wood or welded steel, you can build it faster and more cost-effectively using T-slot extrusion.

The short answer is No.  While it is possible to weld aluminum, aluminum is generally regarded as more difficult to weld than steel. Furthermore, the “X” shaped geometry of T-slotted aluminum profiles does not provide much surface area for a continuous weld.  The closed sided profiles would be the exception, but using a closed profile reduces the ability to use T-slots for other purposes (mounting and attaching components).

Since all extrusions are anodized, one would need to remove the anodizing to get the best welds, which would diminish the cosmetic appeal.

Lastly, the greatest benefit to using T-slotted aluminum, and arguably the entire reason behind its existence, is its modularity.  Welding the extrusions together essentially defeats the purpose of using this product altogether.

Considering the amount of skill and equipment required to weld aluminum (compared to steel), preparation and refinishing of the surface (removing anodizing), and the material cost of aluminum over steel, it is not cost- or time-effective to weld T-slotted aluminum.

Pound-for-pound aluminum is more expensive than steel, but that difference is more than made up for by the fact that T-slot aluminum is easy to assemble and requires no welding, grinding, priming and painting.

In addition, T-slot extrusion is not only more modular and flexible than welded steel, it is also more visually appealing.

No, you can provide a napkin sketch and our engineers can work with you to import your design into AutoCad® or Solidworks™.  Or we can come to your facility for a consultation and take the necessary measurements to provide you with what you need.

We can complete most designs within an hour or two and do not typically charge for these services.

As is true of most any product, the more you buy the lower the cost.  We are happy to sell raw lengths of extrusion, up to 20’ in length.  Call us for pricing!

The maximum length that will ship via UPS is 100.

Anodized aluminum offers good corrosion resistance and can stand up well to the elements.  However, there are some other factors that should be considered when looking at an outdoor application.  Generally it is a good idea to use stainless steel fasteners or fasteners with special coatings or plating and examine all accessories (handles, hinges, casters, etc.) for suitability.

We use a metal cutting blade with carbide inserts that are welded to each tooth.

Yes, they are.  Furthermore, we can easily convert our part numbering system to any other manufacturer’s  profiles to make it easy to order our product, whether you need metric or fractional sizing.

TSLOTS’ parent company, Futura Industries, is one of the world’s leading extruders of aluminum.  This gives TSLOTS a decided advantage in terms of pricing, deliveries and quality control, as they obtain their profiles direct from the extruder.

TSLOTS uses 6560-T6 alloy (wrought, not cast).  The initial “6” means the alloy is created primarily with magnesium and silicon.  The “-T” is a temper designation and indicates that the alloy has been thermally treated.  The “-T6” means it was solution heat treated and artificially aged.

The extrusions are always silver, however we can anodize them just about any color you want, especially if you are trying to match your company's brand. Black and clear (silver) anodizing are standard. Specialty colors such as blue, green, red and safety yellow are available at a premium cost, so keep that in mind when specifying them.

Pound-for-pound T-slot extrusion is as strong as steel, however you may or may not need a “strong as steel” product.  We offer several different profiles:   Ultra lite, lite, and regular.  Depending on your application it may be advantageous to design with a lighter profile that saves you money and is easier to work with.

Use our deflection calculator to determine what style profile meets the requirements of your application.

In most cases no, but we do offer some close sided profiles and extrusions made of PVC,but for the most part if food is going to come in contact with it then T-slots is not a good fit for your application. However, it's great for end-of-line packaging and guarding in food processing plants where wash down or food contact isn’t likely.

TSLOTS' profiles have a built-in 2 degree drop across the surfaces on either side of each slot. When engaged with the right amount of torque on the fastener you will hear a “pop” sound that indicates that the surfaces have been drawn up flush, turning the connection into a lock washer-type seal.