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  1. #1
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    Default System 32 metal strip insert - any such thing?

    Is there any such product as a metal strip pre-drilled with system 32 holes (system 32 - as in shelving, kitchens, wardrobes).

    So, if it exists, you'd rout a shallow rebate into your board and lay the strip into it. As an alternative to pre-drilled melamine-faced board, or drilling your own holes with a jig.

    Anyone seen such a thing? What is it called? and where to get it?

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  3. #2
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    Given that the standard drill depth for most System 32 hardware is around 13mm, there's not going to be a lot left of your 16mm board once you rout a groove. You would also either need to find self tapping screws with the same head dimensions as Euro screws or tap the holes you're using to mount hardware to accept an M6 screw (again, with the same low profile countersink head).

    I'd be surprised if it did exist and even more surprised if it was cheap enough for the average DIYer.

  4. #3
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    By the time you have set up to cut the trench you could have drilled the holes

  5. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    By the time you have set up to cut the trench you could have drilled the holes
    Hmm, with 28 metres run to drill (twice), i.e. 1600 holes, I'm not really convinced about that. Maybe I could eliminate holes unlikely to ever be used, but there'd still be 100s of holes.

    Anyhow, looks like no such product exists. Though I seem to vaguely remember a hardwood bookcase I saw, dating from the 70s or 80s, with some kind of insert rail of this type.

  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by elanjacobs View Post
    Given that the standard drill depth for most System 32 hardware is around 13mm, there's not going to be a lot left of your 16mm board once you rout a groove. You would also either need to find self tapping screws with the same head dimensions as Euro screws or tap the holes you're using to mount hardware to accept an M6 screw (again, with the same low profile countersink head).

    I'd be surprised if it did exist and even more surprised if it was cheap enough for the average DIYer.
    I've got some shelf pins (plastic, Bunnings) here that are 8mm long, and that would be sufficient given that they'd be bearing on metal rather than point loading poor old particleboard, mdf or whatever. Which would give 8mm backing at least (more if you're using 19mm hardwood or 17mm / 18mm / 25mm ply). But although maybe no such product seems to be available, I think it would be quite feasible.

    Price: if such a product were available, I'm sure the IP would have already been passed on by the relevant Peoples Liberation Army hacking unit to an appropriate knock-off factory in Qingdao. But it isn't.

  7. #6
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    There are jigs available for the spacing and drilling of the holes. I bought one from Timbecon last year for a project.
    Tom

    "It's good enough" is low aim

  8. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chesand View Post
    There are jigs available for the spacing and drilling of the holes. I bought one from Timbecon last year for a project.
    Yeah I've got one too. But I'd prefer an easier way to do 1600 holes.

    Let's give up on this. Nobody's got a real answer to my original question (probably because nothing like it exists), and I found nothing on the net. It's a dead topic. Stay well, people.

  9. #8
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    Something similar used to be common in the USA and is available in white powdercoat or chrome and lengths to 72 inches. But being American, it is not metric or System 32 so uses different clip in shelf supports and different spacing. Rockler call it shelf standards, about US$15 a 72in length, plus clips. Doesn't seem to be in the Carbatec Rockler products range.
    I used to be an engineer, I'm not an engineer any more, but on the really good days I can remember when I was.

  10. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by malb View Post
    Something similar used to be common in the USA and is available in white powdercoat or chrome and lengths to 72 inches. But being American, it is not metric or System 32 so uses different clip in shelf supports and different spacing. Rockler call it shelf standards, about US$15 a 72in length, plus clips. Doesn't seem to be in the Carbatec Rockler products range.
    Yes right, good find! That's it -- Shelf Standards at Rockler. Thanks Mal. They use their own type of shelf supports which are a good design. I wouldn't be too fussed its not System 32.

    The one I vaguely recall seeing years ago (in Aust) also used a custom arrangement too, that had (if I remember correctly) keyhole-shaped holes in the rail, presumably for a kind of shelf support pin that had a wider head on the back. I assume it too used a C-purlin style of rail. A bit like the keyhole track used in horse show-jumping apparently.

    However, I suppose I'll just have to wistfully accept that we don't have the choice that the US market does, unless one accepts the recent trashed FX rates and also wants to pay crazy amounts to UPS. I wish, but I'm already thinking of alternatives to the ideal I had in my mind's eye.

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    Sorry, too late

  12. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnaduit View Post

    The one I vaguely recall seeing years ago (in Aust) also used a custom arrangement too, that had (if I remember correctly) keyhole-shaped holes in the rail, presumably for a kind of shelf support pin that had a wider head on the back. I assume it too used a C-purlin style of rail. A bit like the keyhole track used in horse show-jumping apparently.
    I am also familiar with the locally available keyhole system you mention from probably 40 years ago. It was used for braced shelf brackets etc in my experience rather than end supporting shelves. C section was about 16mm wide x 10-12 mm deep. Shelf brackets I was aware of were the same width, abt 2mm thick, shelf section probably available in a range of lengths to suit different width shelves, and a small upturned lip at the front of the shelf. Brace was about a 5mm diameter bar with a kink near the support strip to enter it at right angles. There was a screw with a pair of flats near the top of the shelf support vertical, and the end of the brace was similarly arranged. Simply loosen the knurled nuts on the screw and brace, slot the screw head and end of brace into the keyholes in the strip, tighten the knurled nuts and you have a secure secure shelf bracket. There were a couple of sets of shelves in a place that I inherited my uncle about 20 yrs ago, had been in place for 20 years before that, were still intact and secure when we sold the place in 2017. Have had a good prowl through google and can't find anything similar for a reference or pic.
    I used to be an engineer, I'm not an engineer any more, but on the really good days I can remember when I was.

  13. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by malb View Post
    I am also familiar with the locally available keyhole system you mention from probably 40 years ago. It was used for braced shelf brackets etc in my experience rather than end supporting shelves. C section was about 16mm wide x 10-12 mm deep. Shelf brackets I was aware of were the same width, abt 2mm thick, shelf section probably available in a range of lengths to suit different width shelves, and a small upturned lip at the front of the shelf. Brace was about a 5mm diameter bar with a kink near the support strip to enter it at right angles. There was a screw with a pair of flats near the top of the shelf support vertical, and the end of the brace was similarly arranged. Simply loosen the knurled nuts on the screw and brace, slot the screw head and end of brace into the keyholes in the strip, tighten the knurled nuts and you have a secure secure shelf bracket. There were a couple of sets of shelves in a place that I inherited my uncle about 20 yrs ago, had been in place for 20 years before that, were still intact and secure when we sold the place in 2017. Have had a good prowl through google and can't find anything similar for a reference or pic.
    I remember them being used in shop fittings and you have described them very well
    Tom

    "It's good enough" is low aim

  14. #13
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    Mal, you may be right that the local keyhole track as seen in the shelving systems of yesteryear might have been for shelf brace supports and not shelf end-brackets. The one I saw was such a long time ago, I can't be sure. How you describe it, it sounds like an old version of the 'gondola' system now so ubiquitous in retail shopfitting, which uses slotted rail much like the type you can buy in the "shelving" aisle of mainstream hardware stores.

    Jeez I wish those Rockler 'shelf standards' you found were available in Oz. Would be just great for home library wall-to-ceiling bookshelves. That's my next upcoming project.

  15. #14
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    We moved into our new house in December. I had always planned for custom bookcases and display cases in the library, but have been and still are devoid of the barn and workshop that was to go with the house. Ended up dropping $1300 on Ikea Billy and similar matching lines to furnish the Library and my small office space. Doesn't look too bad and it was good to be able mix and match across glass door bookcases, small extension dining table (office desk) filing cabs, and stationary cabinet. Not quite as flexible size and layout wise as going custom built, but a lot less work to get it in place in time to move in and set up. Overall cost was probably similar to a reasonable labour rate for doing all of the edging involved in doing what I had been considering for the custom stuff, without the cutting out, drilling, materials and hardware costs etc.

    Will probably replace the library set once I get the workshop together, depends on what SHMBO thinks, have a small excess of book shelf and a corresponding deficit of display space at present, so might get around to replacing that much of it.

    The seem to be a few places around most cities that will make custom flat pack kits for customers. This can be economical as they get the material at wholesale rates and can generally get larger sheets than we normally fin retail. If they do the job on a CNC router, the machine is programmed to drill all of the screw holes, knock down hardware recesses, hinge pin holes,etc, cut the outline of each part, and edge as required. Prices for a fp kit typically about similar to buying sheets and hardware retail, and all of the tedious drilling and hardware recesses are done for you to accuracy of 0.1mm or better so accuracy is assured.

    Just mentioning as a couple of options for you.
    I used to be an engineer, I'm not an engineer any more, but on the really good days I can remember when I was.

  16. #15
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    Note the metal strips in this video at about 15:00 minutes in. For some reason the copy & paste at a time does not work.

    CHRIS

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