Vertical Tracks for Forklift

[MichaelBick]

Originally Posted by asid61

Check your local metal shops if you haven't already. We get our stock from Alan Steel, although I want to investigate that place the Poofs use in the offseason.
This place has 2 x 1 x 1/16" but it's 6063, not 6061: metalsdepot.com part# T321116.

I definitely would recommend against using 6063. It almost seems like a completely different material

[jimwick]

We are using 80/20 for the vertical rails. Our traveling element uses skateboard bearings.
The whole thing works smooth as ice and was easy to build. Can easily lift 4 totes and a bin. Very successful so far.

[nuclearnerd]

Originally Posted by MichaelBick

I definitely would recommend against using 6063. It almost seems like a completely different material

We've got the worst of both worlds The only thing in stock in town is 1/8" wall 6063. For comparison, Versaframe (3/32" wall, 6061) is 60% stronger and 20% lighter by my calculations. (Although the thicker wall tube is 18% stiffer.)

The downside of Versaframe is that it costs about double what the 6063 costs from Metal Supermarkets (on a per-foot basis), only comes in 5' lengths, and has a shipping delay. But considering the extra strength and the usefulness of the pre-drilled holes, Versaframe is worth the premium for critical parts IMHO.

/derail