Aluminum cabinets

[HAF]

I have built and tested several types of cabinets for my camper. The range involved all wood, combination of wood and aluminum and wood, aluminum and plastic. I found all to be to heavy. I have also discovered that no mater how much glue and screws one uses, wood seems to loosen up after rough duty.
I have designed and built several cabinets out of all aluminum and find I like it best.
It seems to hold up no matter the shaking its exposed to. Leaving my camper out closed up in the hot sun does not result in a weird smelling camper.
If cutting the pre-formed shapes with a laser, the fits are perfect. Combining the shapes with extruded rails means the entire units goe together without screws. Everything bolts together.
For upper cabinets, I am using stand-offs on bottom side of cabinet. I then attach a "tray" to the stand offs. This gives me room to mount lights and run wires in between bottom side of cabinet and upper side of tray. Future changes or troubleshooting is now simple. I plan on keeping these in bare aluminum (rails are anodized). If I get tiresd of the look, I can always wrap with vinyle to change up the look of my camper.

 

[02rangeredge]

That's looking cool, remember finished shots for us

 

[HAF]

Will do.
Thanks.

 

[02rangeredge]

And a finished weight actually, I'd be curious what a finished set weighs compared to something like the metal framed plastic panel type of setup, I know there's a word for it I just can't come up with it

 

[HAF]

For different cross sections, I could calculate a weight per foot.

 

[02rangeredge]

That one is really up to you, I personally don't have a need for cabinets or the aluminum working skills you do, so it's just a curiosity more than a decision factor

 

[HAF]

Looks like a 12" tall x 12" wide upper cabinet weighs 4.5 pounds per foot. Its somewhat lighter than wood.

 

[krick3tt]

Do you roll the edges or just sand them smooth?

 

[shade]

Very nice.

Are you doing your own plasma & brake work?

 

[jwiereng]

Very nice.

Are you doing your own plasma & brake work?

OP mentioned laser cutting.

 

[shade]

OP mentioned laser cutting.

Correct. I should've said laser, but plasma or water jet could get the job done. The cutting method wasn't really the point of my question.

That kind of work is often subbed out. I was curious if he was doing it all in-house.

 

[HAF]

I am using a shop that I have used for over 25 years. The outside corners are aluminum extrusions.

 

[HAF]

Wires run in between tray and bottom of cabinet. Put the electrical stuff on a hinged sub frame. The only way in is by removing two upper bolts.

 

[shade]

I am using a shop that I have used for over 25 years. The outside corners are aluminum extrusions.

If they want more business, I think they could pick some up here. I know that isn't inexpensive work, but some ExPo members are willing to pay for that level of craftsmanship.

Are you using any kind of adhesive, or are all of the extrusions a friction fit?

 

[HAF]

A lot of this is in the design and knowing what sort of shapes/ profiles a fabricator can make. No glue or friction is used. I am using 1/4" button head bolts with tee-bolts. The main body is light gauge aluminum. The tray on the bottom stiffens up the assembly once bolted in place.