Thread: System 32 metal strip insert - any such thing?

Originally Posted by dmorse

Google "pilaster strip". Lots of hits searching from the US.

Bingo - you're right! Using that search term, North America is overflowing with the stuff. Lee Valley stores across Canada for one example, but it seems many US hardware chain stores have it. Dirt cheap, of course.

It's just in Australia that we have to drill our own shelf support holes, or buy pre-drilled melamine, or just give up woodworking altogether and go buy Ikea instead.

Originally Posted by Gunnaduit

Bingo - you're right! Using that search term, North America is overflowing with the stuff. Lee Valley stores across Canada for one example, but it seems many US hardware chain stores have it. Dirt cheap, of course.

It's just in Australia that we have to drill our own shelf support holes, or buy pre-drilled melamine, or just give up woodworking altogether and go buy Ikea instead.

Well, another instance of "the grass is always greener....". You want the pilasters and don't have them available. I'm surrounded by them and never use them. I prefer to drill holes!

Originally Posted by dmorse

Well, another instance of "the grass is always greener....". You want the pilasters and don't have them available. I'm surrounded by them and never use them. I prefer to drill holes!

Perhaps you two need to do a swap - holes sent from Oz in exchange for stripping from US.

Festool have a 1400mm track that has the holes you are looking for. It uses a guide the Festool router is attached to in order to positively drill the holes in the right place.

You may find them at places that make custom refrigerator and freezer units where they are common.

The standards Rockler sell are actually branded 'Knape & Vogt', listed as 'pilasters' not 'standards' and were available in Australia in a few finishes.
Rob Malson used to run the hardware store in Gowings Wynard store which is where I bought mine, and still has an online store My Tool Store.

Looks like Elraco in South Australia still sells them - Shelving Systems | Elraco Distributors - they had pretty reasonable shipping last time I used them.

Originally Posted by Just George

Festool have a 1400mm track that has the holes you are looking for. It uses a guide the Festool router is attached to in order to positively drill the holes in the right place.

Only if you end up buying the LR32 kit. Which is generally uncheap - this is the basic kit: Festool - LR 32 Hole Drilling System Set and this is the deluxe kit: Festool - LR 32 mm Hole Drilling System Systainer Set

Haefle have them - its easier to find in the German CatleDog as the Ozzy online one has a brain dead search - but they are sold here.

Furniture, Kitchen & Living Solutions / Shelf Supports & Brackets | online at HAFELE

8mm deep groove Shelf support strip, aluminium shelf support system, 14mm intervals - in the Hafele Australia Shop
6mm deep groove Shelf support strip, steel shelf support system, 14mm intervals - in the Hafele Australia Shop

Originally Posted by bsrlee

Looks like Elraco in South Australia still sells them - Shelving Systems | Elraco Distributors - they had pretty reasonable shipping last time I used them.

Originally Posted by RossM

8mm deep groove Shelf support strip, aluminium shelf support system, 14mm intervals - in the Hafele Australia Shop
6mm deep groove Shelf support strip, steel shelf support system, 14mm intervals - in the Hafele Australia Shop

What a nice surprise! I came in from the shed tonight, and find not one but two positive hits for Australian sellers of metal shelf support strips. Thanks very much gents.

Not too late too ... I haven't started my bookcase build, so I can indeed incorporate this style of shelving strip.

CASE SOLVED!