80/20 aluminum
Design 80/20 aluminum frames in 3D without learning CAD. Snap rails, joints and accessories that fit, then get a parts list with exact cut lengths.
How it works
Place extrusion rails, join them with brackets and joints, and drag to resize: connected rails stretch or shorten together.
Watch the demoThe parts list gives every rail's length and the brackets, screws and panels you need, and the cut plan shows how to cut them from stock lengths.
Watch the demoFollow numbered assembly steps for your frame, from the first corner to the last panel.
Watch the demo
Drag one handle and a connected design changes size, with related members adjusting together. Try a wider pergola, bench or pipe frame. It works on builds of at least three connected parts, one with a flexible length, and the directions you can drag depend on the structure.
Click an open end on a pipe or fitting and the parts drawer opens with compatible options, such as the next elbow or length of pipe. Pick one to attach it at that joint. On PVC pipe projects, the next part comes from the joint that needs it, not a long catalog hunt.
Every board, pipe and fitting you add shows up in a parts list beside your 3D model, with quantities that update as the design changes. Hover a row to find those parts in the scene, then check the counts before you cut or shop. Your design becomes a list you can review line by line.
Find out how many stock lengths your project needs before you buy. Choose a stock length and see your finished pieces laid out along each length, with the leftover shown. Your parts list becomes a simple cut list, so you can plan the trip to the lumber yard with fewer surprises.
See how your project goes together, one numbered step at a time. Each step names the parts to join, marks where they connect, and shows that subassembly within the whole build. It turns a finished 3D model into clear woodworking plans you can review before you head to the shop.
Line up a part's face or edge with its neighbor's boundary without resizing either piece. Select the part, pick the edge you want it to meet as the alignment reference, and it moves into position along that boundary. It is a quick way to get flush edges on shelves, frames and workbench builds.
Describe what you want to build, or attach a photo or sketch, and Crafti AI drafts a whole design made of separate parts you can edit. Start a raised garden bed or potting bench from a sentence, then select any piece to keep refining it. Your project begins from an idea, not a blank screen.
Over 7,300 real parts across 346 categories, ready to drop into your design: lumber in every common size, pipe and fittings in PVC, copper and steel, 80/20 aluminum framing, steel tube and bar, screws and brackets, wheels, casters and actuators, electrical and HVAC parts, plus people, plants and furniture for scale.
Try
The parts library
Every rail, joint and accessory carries its profile size, so brackets and fasteners line up with the right slot.
T-slot profiles in 1", 1.5", 20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm, including double and diagonal braces.
Inside corners, center brackets, angled joints and end fasteners.
Acrylic and mesh panels, hinges, handles, casters, end caps and tablet arms.
Fasteners for each profile series, listed with your parts.
Counted from the live catalog. Search every part in the library.
Why Crafti
Many 8020 users buy parts that aren't compatible which leads to lots of frustration. When you snap aluminum extrusions in Crafti, you can be sure that they are compatible with other parts like T-nuts, bolts, end caps and others. Discover all the joints, accessories and rails available for your aluminum DIY projects.
You can make a simple truck bed or a tricked out racing simulator. Start simple and see what your imagination brings to the table!
It's a great place to play with DIY projects for home improvement, school projects or just for fun. Perhaps your projects needs some casters or leveling mounts don't worry, we have them available for your 8020 projects.
When you're not an expert in aluminum 80/20, it can be super scary try to build something by yourself. Especially because the parts can be pretty expensive. Or you might not know when to use bolts, linear bearings and other parts, don't worry! We got you covered!
Start off from a blank page or modify someone else's design! Once you build your first 8020 design, you will get tons of cool ideas for new stuff to build! Is there something you can't do?Let us know! We will always listen to our makers.
Not sure yet? Take a look at our DIY projects below.
It doesn't matter if you work at a big biotech co or just a hobbiest or even if it's your first time building anything with your hands. We want to make 80/20 Aluminum accessible to everyone.
You just need a good idea and this DIYer app will allow you to start by placing your first rail joint with a T-Slot, a track roller or even a tray. You may also find components like hinges and aluminum handles and if we don't have an accessory, just let us know!
Example projects
Check out all the DIY projects you can build with 8020 Aluminum! If you wish to see a specific design, go ahead and ask for it. We are happy to add new aluminum 3D free designs and their list of parts.
80/20 aluminum
Questions
The fractional 1" and 1.5" series and the metric 20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm series, with joints and accessories for each.
Yes. Brackets, joints, panels and fasteners are counted along with the rails, so the list is ready to order.
Yes. Start from an example such as a driving simulator, 3D printer frame or workstation and change it to fit, or begin from scratch.
No! It all works on the browser. It works on your phone as well as your computer!
Yes! You can save your design in your account.
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.
Crafti has 7,300+ parts across aluminum 8020, steel, wood, HVAC and PVC! Let us know if we're missing a part.
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 fill your cart at the store with everything you need! Much easier!
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 Crafti 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 review your cart and check out!
Crafti doesn't sell parts itself. When your design is ready, it fills your cart at McMaster-Carr, The Home Depot or Lowe's so you can review everything before you check out.
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.
Yes. We keep adding parts and features based on the feedback we get, so let us know what you need!
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.
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
Yes please visit our YouTube Channel and learn about:
Crafti Tutorial: Design Your Woodworking Project!
Crafti Tutorial: How to design your DIY PVC Project!
No. You can design for free, and many features work in the free version. Crafti Pro unlocks some features and includes monthly credits for Crafti AI. See Pricing for what it includes.
Keep exploring
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PVC and Plumbing Design Software for DIYers
T Slot Design Software
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If you're looking to learn how to build a more complex aluminum 80/20 design, this one is for you!
Let's cover the basics of snapping in Crafti!
Design in your browser on your phone or computer, then get the parts list, cut plan and assembly steps.
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