8020 vs. Bosch

[Ken Leung]

Hi Everyone,

I could use some expert opinion on the difference between 8020 and Bosch extrusions. I am looking specifically at the 30-30 (mm) series.

Check out the attached pdf for a quick comparison between the two brands' profile in AutoCAD. Then take a look at the different dimensions between the two brands' t-nuts.

We are having difficulties with our local Bosch distributor, and are considering switching to 8020 instead. Are there any advantages/disadvantages one way or another?

-Ken L

[=Martin=Taylor=]

Hi Everyone,

I could use some expert opinion on the difference between 8020 and Bosch extrusions. I am looking specifically at the 30-30 (mm) series.

Check out the attached pdf for a quick comparison between the two brands' profile in AutoCAD. Then take a look at the different dimensions between the two brands' t-nuts.

We are having difficulties with our local Bosch distributor, and are considering switching to 8020 instead. Are there any advantages/disadvantages one way or another?

-Ken L

I've never used bosch, but my team has used 8020 many a time. We are using two short pieces on this year's bot.

We have always purchased the 8020 from a certain supplier in San Jose. I don't remember the name, but if you're interested I can talk to the other team 100 mentors who have been there. I recommend this place specifically because they keep 8020 in stock and you can go and pick it up in a day.

Be careful about ordering online or through one of 8020s distributors. Some of them are horrible and take forever.

As for fasteners, team 100 uses 1/4-20 carriage bolts. It so happens that the heads slide perfectly into the slots, and the square part prevents them from spinning. So instead of threading in a bolt you can screw on a lock-nut. :cool:

Biscuits and drop-ins will drive you crazy :mad:. Not to mention that they have a habit of falling out! :mad: Locknuts solve this problem.

Save yourself some sanity, time, and money and buy carriage bolts from your local OSH.

[Ken Leung]

We have always purchased the 8020 from a certain supplier in San Jose. I don't remember the name, but if you're interested I can talk to the other team 100 mentors who have been there. I recommend this place specifically because they keep 8020 in stock and you can go and pick it up in a day.



I know the Eppersons also purchased 8020 from a supplier in San Jose. I would really appreciate if you can found out who the supplier is for me.

Also, forgot to ask this in the original post, but I am hopping someone can clarify the compatibility between the two brands. Specifically, if I have Bosch extrusions now, can I use 8020 hardware/t-nuts on the Bosch extrusions? Other about vice-versa?

The profiles and t-nut dimensions suggest they should be fine either way.

[Cory]

When I was on 100 and we used 8020 we used toilet bolts in place of t-nuts in a lot of situations. Much cheaper and like Martin said, you can use lock nuts.

You still want a pretty healthy supply of drop in t-nuts because you'll always want to add something later that you didn't foresee.

At the time I think a somewhat local supplier (maybe Sacramento?) was giving FIRST teams a discount on 8020. That was about 7 years ago now though, so I'm not sure if they still do.

T nuts should fit equally well in either profile.