T-slot framing
Design T-slot aluminum racing rigs, lab carts and frames in 3D on your computer or phone. Only compatible joints and accessories snap onto each rail.
How it works
Bring a rail or bracket close to an open slot and it seats into place, lined up with the rest of the frame.
Watch the demoThe parts list counts each rail by length along with brackets, panels and screws, and the cut plan shows how to cut them from stock.
Watch the demoStep-by-step assembly guides show which parts join at each step, so the frame goes together the first time.
Watch the demo
Bring a loose part close to a supported connection point and it seats into place, lined up with the rest of your build. Snapping takes the fiddly guesswork out of joining uprights, rails and other members, so each piece meets its neighbour at the connection itself rather than just floating nearby.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Frames, enclosures, carts and workstations are built from the same rails, joints and accessories you'd order, each matched to its slot size.
Single, double and triple slot profiles in 1", 1.5", 20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm.
Corner brackets, inside joints and angled connectors.
Acrylic and mesh panels, panel hangers, hinges, handles, casters and tool holders.
T-slot screws for each profile series.
Counted from the live catalog. Search every part in the library.
Why Crafti
Many new users purchase incompatible T-slot Aluminum parts, resulting in lots of frustration and lots of lost $$$. When you use Crafti you can rest assured that the aluminum parts you've design with are fully compatible. Whatever can be connected to another part is compatible!
Whether you're looking to create a basic aluminum T-Slot truck bed or an incredible tricked-out racing simulator, the possibilities are endless! Just start with something simple and let your imagination run wild. It's a fantastic playground to bring your ideas to life and have some fun!
Crafti is so simple and fast that you can get immersed in your ideas instead of learning a new complicated app to design something with t-slot extrusions.
When you're not an expert in modular aluminum framing, it can be really intimidating to try building something on your own.
Especially considering that T-slot parts can be quite pricey.
But fear not!
You have the freedom to start with a blank canvas or modify existing T slot designs to suit your needs. You'll be able to extend / shorten / delete / add new aluminum parts to any design you see!
Whether you're engineer that design T-slot projects all day or just a passionate hobbyist, it doesn't matter.
We've made it easy for the novice to start working with T-slot components but also have a very expansive library for the expert.
Our DIYers' app mission is to make building and designing your ideas accessible to everyone.
We believe that this versatile material should be within reach for all, regardless of skill level or background.
So, no matter who you are or where you come from, we're here to empower you with the possibilities of T Slot Aluminum and help you bring your DIY ideas to life.
Example projects
Here are some examples of T- Slot Aluminum projects! Access the Free 3D design, plus a list of aluminum parts, including joints and accessories. Let us know if you want to see anything else.
T-slot framing
Questions
80/20 is a popular brand of T-slot aluminum extrusion. Crafti's library uses its profile series, so designs work for either name.
Yes. Panels, panel hangers, hinges and handles are in the library, so you can design enclosures with doors.
Yes. Every rail is listed with its length, and the cut plan groups them by stock length.
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.
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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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