8020 aluminum in your van build? These tips and tricks will help you survive.

In just under 3 years I have designed four custom vans, all using the potentially beautiful, yet sometimes perplexing 8020 aluminum extrusion. Once you understand its quirks and accept the higher cost of 8020 aluminum, you're on your way to one fine van build! In this video, I provide enough information to get you out of the starting blocks, without any frustration. You can thank me later... 😉
Take a look at my subscriber count! I've been at this KZbin thing since 2018! If you have already subscribed, I thank you. If you haven't subscribed, please consider doing so and be a part of my road to 100K.
Yeah by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...
Artist: audionautix.com/
#onahumbleroad
#customvanbuild
#8020
filename: 8020 tips and tricks.mp4

[@mikegurley4397]

When grounding extruded aluminum, what about the anodized surface? Does the anodic coating need to be removed to make electrical contact similar to removing paint?

[@HumbleRoad]

It is my understanding that the torqued pressure of the connection points breaks through the thin anodized film coating. I have reached out to a few experts in marine electrical and others experienced with aluminum for confirmation. I will also do some tests and readings. Will clarify in an upcoming video when I have definitive answers.

[@mikegurley4397]

A simple test with ohmmeter from cut end to grounding end would prove if it is conductive.

[@HumbleRoad]

@@mikegurley4397 Yes, exactly. I also need to test from one corner of an assembled module to the opposing and opposite corner.

[@gregegg2324]

@@HumbleRoad I know McMaster-Carr has the hammer nuts that are intentionally abrasive to break the coating: "Hammer fasteners drop in to the slot and turn into place when the screw is tightened. They're serrated to break the anodized coating on the rail, allowing static to dissipate." I think they have other hardware as well meant to break the coating for grounding.

[@HumbleRoad]

@@gregegg2324 Thanks Greg, I'll check it out.

[@cynthiam3319]

George, I have no plans to live in a van or to build out one. That being said, I love watching your channel because of your mastery with the thought process. I love the fact that you have to plan things so far in advance such as where you're going to screw in a wood panel. Attention to detail was always my strong suit and I really love seeing somebody make it look valuable. You rock. 😁☮

[@VictoryMC]

Love this guy, humor is the best educator. And an education is a gift that can not be taken away.

[@Blackwater_House]

As is frequently said in the Australian Army, “Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance”.

[@lass-inangeles7564]

This is a better tongue twister than Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers!

[@barryh1832]

They say that in the US Navy too!

[@nomadthetraveler5782]

Not just the Australian Army I can guarantee.

[@888johnmac]

UK military version , piss poor planning prevents proper performance .. same thing really

[@birdnest5814]

Don’t forget the rubber...now there’s some sound advice🤣 I love it when George shares his knowledge with all of us👍😊💕

[@Wookey.]

Rubber isn't a great insulator. I'd put some compacfoam in there to get a much better thermal break and more strength.

[@RiceBoy7thst]

@@Wookey. You ever see gaskets made of foam? Either way Lighten up.

[@as6709]

I’m always captivated by your great videos, George!

[@HumbleRoad]

Ahhh! I see what you did there! 😄

[@samuelfox8126]

If you use a zinc primer where you drill into the van to attach the 8020 you'll have protected steel and it still conducts current. In collision repair we use zinc primer every time we weld a lap joint and need conductivity but still needs to protect from rust between the two pieces of steel. It's good enough connectivity for the current of a welder so it'll handle the inverter current.

[@HumbleRoad]

Excellent tip, thank you!

[@daviddriscoll330]

Putting the entire thing together, locktite'ing it all in place, attaching the wood, and bolting down to find I forgot a piece is exactly the kind of thing I'd do.

[@HumbleRoad]

Been there, done that...😅

[@oddopops1327]

Love the Helicopter sound effect, LOL! 😊

[@rockandride666]

Best Video I've seen so far when it comes to working with extruded aluminum! Really helpful short n on point! Thx a million

[@jstoney6471]

Nice Sunday Morning w/George! Love the rounded 80/20 you use on face frames!

[@HumbleRoad]

Me too!

[@illustr8rjoe]

Your series is always at the top of my watch list! Can we get short video walkthrough on how you plan how much 80/20 you need and the easiest way to order? Looking at the site, it looks like they produce it precut, but price is by the foot. I imagine pre-planning is a necessity

[@RusticNatureReimagined]

Every video I watch from you just amazes me. I love your attention to detail! Great job as usual George!

[@HumbleRoad]

Thank you so much 😀

[@hunati31]

I'm blown away by his Outstanding level of integrity...

[@maggiebrattoli383]

Just sell us the kit George. We’ll buy it.

[@cwr8618]

here, here!!

[@yeyepp]

15:59 That chopper sound was simply genius

[@HumbleRoad]

Thanks! I've used it before because I am forever grabbing the camera and taking you viewers for a ride! Cracks me up every time!

[@Greybeardmedic]

All that was missing was you beating on your chest while talking to mimic the morning traffic reporter.

[@renaulttraficconversion]

Yes, it was a surprise but very well used.

[@k2concepts]

Aa a fellow KZbinr and DIYer I appreciate the lesson. I have been fascinated with 8020 since discovering it a couple years ago. You have taught me more in 20 minutes than I could have learned in 3 years of making mistakes. I hope to collaborate with you on something in the future! Thanks again!

[@dumpster1947]

Great tutorial George Thanks a million Love your attention to detail

[@jwleng]

That's the most useful instruction I can found for people who want to use 80/20 for their VAN project. Thank you

[@jatorresrv]

Sir, as I look forward to using 80/20 for a personal build your channel has been the go to for vision and instruction, as your attention to detail, foresight, willingness to share, instructions, and delivery are absolutely incredible and very much appreciated. Thank you!

[@HumbleRoad]

Awesome, thank you!

[@myfavoritesutube1]

I enjoy watching what your creative brain comes up with! Kudos!

[@hollyslaughter5505]

Looks incredibly sturdy!

[@HumbleRoad]

Oh it is!

[@tine8849]

Glad you mentioned 8020 is a brand name, I genuinely had no idea.

[@ronwiejaczka8635]

George another great Sunday morning video, always learning something new. Thanks and have a great day.

[@HumbleRoad]

Thanks, you too!

[@MiniatureChickenChannel]

This really captivated my T-nuts! Superb video as always 👍👍

[@HumbleRoad]

😆Glad you enjoyed it!

[@photowhit177]

Thank you for this. I literally called you to get your take on 80/20, and now you have a video on it. You're amazing. I'm working SO hard on my own can build, and I hear your words in my head often, "let the van speak to you." It's how I made a lot of my design decisions. Thank you again.

[@HumbleRoad]

Fantastic!

[@CoastLifeInMS]

New to 80/20 and LOVED this video because you really broke it down for a beginner! Thank you!

[@coco9004]

You Made my day! I like what you do. Good Job!

[@HumbleRoad]

Wow, thanks!

[@maudive]

If my dad talked to me, I imagine this is how he’d explain things to me. Very good descriptive explanation. 👍

[@Kojimalosophy]

what a beautiful life man, waking up everyday to do essentially industrial design and just be able to transfer your ideas to real life products that make people happy, don't get me wron, I am thankful to God for my job and where I am in life, but boy oh boy would I like to do what you do! kudos to you Sir!

[@MykSr]

Good Morning George, thanks again for all you do and the smile 😊 on my face.

[@HumbleRoad]

Good morning!

[@lindajoplin8054]

This video was very informative. Thanks. I've seen many questions about connecting the wood panels to the 80/20. This video will help a lot.

[@kenlowell9862]

George.... you're great.

[@katherinekelly5380]

This is amazing - love that your wood is used sparingly. I keep seeing builds where the cabinet box is build from solid ply and then the drawers are built from solid ply and it just seems like it will be super heavy

[@fin1158]

I bet he saves at least 500lbs by using the 80\20

[@doris1826]

Preplanning, dry fitting, testing ... all time well spent in the long run that manifests itself in a quality final product. Nice job, George!

[@joseville]

10 hours of execution can save 1 hour of planning.

[@maitildamcintyre9344]

Such a detailed excellent explanation of utilizing 80-20 in a van build. I’m certain invaluable to many DIY’rs. It seems like the best way to go now, and I’ve seen other KZbin channels using it in their builds. As we’ve learned from you “options, options” seem almost limitless. With every build success and mistake you’ve encountered while creating your masterpieces, it’s incredibly generous of you to share that info for other van builders to benefit from your experience, and avoid many lessons you learned along the way. Enjoyed the little “ flight” in the video. It’s frankly the only flight I want to take during this time lol. Have a great productive week, and I look forward to seeing you again next Sunday. 🚐🔩⚙️🛠♥️

[@dvfreelancer]

Like trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose. So much insight. I'll have to watch these more than once. This takes 8020 and turns it into an art form.

[@bilalchaudhary8268]

Love your attention to detail. Thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@lass-inangeles7564]

As I am watching, questions are bubbling up in my mind like soda bubbles in a glass. And each time, you answer every question as if you read my mind. And the extra tips like the 'sloping track acting like a lock washer', and the grounding tips are a bonus. You are a mind reader, George. For us information fanatics who analyze every detail, you answer every question before it is even asked. Such a pleasure. FYI - 'Loctite' is a brand name for a lot of products. I think you mean 'Threadlock' type product that creates friction on the hardware so it prevents it from loosening during vibrations on the road. Walnut dark grained wood on the subtle silver gleam of aluminum - a thing of beauty, perfection!

[@HumbleRoad]

You had me at soda bubbles in a glass...

[@jerrypak2523]

I like this building material, strong and lightweight.

[@jacquesolivier65]

Hi George, Instead of bothering with loctite I would suggest you to test Nord-Lock washers ! And you'll never tighten any bolt again.

[@HumbleRoad]

Thanks for the tip!

[@donjones3355]

Great video! I learned a few things about 8020 watching this video. Thanks George!

[@HumbleRoad]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vita-girl4345]

Great video, never thought of grounding the 8020 pieces!

[@bobaloo2012]

It's a pleasant change to watch a video of someone telling you how to do things who REALLY DOES know how to do it, excellent video, enjoyed the voice of experience.

[@HumbleRoad]

I appreciate that!

[@kurtnelle]

This is like the wise old man of 8020 aluminium profiles. Awesome presentation.

[@barrysoutthere]

Thank you George for teaching me everything I know about 80/20. Love this stuff !

[@HumbleRoad]

More to come!

[@theoteam4641]

Very good point about grounding the 8020. I used aluminium extrude all through out my build, I didn’t ground them back i used a bolt that went through the aluminium extrude into the van shell, which grounded it without me knowing lol. But you’re right, having a ground makes it less likely for you to get a shock.

[@sifudan9244]

i’ve been spreading the word about your channel to all the quality people i encounter as i purchase and gather my items for my build as i hope it sends some sponsors or clients your way as a way to say thank u for all the help u have been on my project 🙏🏻

[@HumbleRoad]

That is very kind of you Dan. Thank you.

[@HumbleRoad]

That kind of behavior is all the universe needs. Every time I leave the house, my youngest says, " do something nice for a stranger today.."

[@beachbum200009]

Ground 80/20.... will do!!! Thanks George.

[@cesarclarorodriguezalfonso1745]

Do you realized aside from my head exploding this morning. How many heads everywhere are gonna explode when everyone realizes how much space and weigh they are gonna save in their Builds, when they watch this video? I can’t tell you how many time I would me watching a video of a restoration of an old barn, factory, home, box truck. And would be so excited looking at that massive space. Then in an instant, everyone start building in frames made with 2x4’s. Then my heart would sink. And I’d say to myself. A dónde cojones se fue todo ese espacio?(Forgive me being Cuban this the way I’d say, WTF! where did all the space go?) And the excitement I had as I’d watch would drop big time 😢. 8020 or other types of extruded aluminum is the missing link. From what I got or understood and learned. Aside from using Proper Good Quality Tools. You’ve answered for me. The day I either get myself any suitable vehicle to make into a tiny home or a camper. What are the possibilities and how to make every inch count. Thank you my friend. You have open my eyes to more possibilities. I hope everyone else saw that as well. Thank you for as you said in one video. Calling yourself spoiled. But actually meticulous. Looking outside the box and You do not do the same DoDo everyone else does. I hope aside from myself everyone sees this and thanks you. Thank you my friend. Keep up the great work. Ps. In the video you were cooking something and it stuck. Rule of thumb. Always, always always, if you’re not using nonstick cookware. Make sure your food is not directly out of the refrigerator because it’s too cold. Think what happens when a cold front hits a hot front. You get thunderstorms, lightning, etc. And other words it’s pure havoc that happens inpan . Let what ever your cooking come up to the ambient temperature somewhat. Preheat an oil your pan as necessary, then cook at suggested temperature. That will solve the sticking problem. And it will lower your food to cook evenly, and actually quicker and will taste even better. Trust me. I sold pots and pans for many years. Expensive pots and pans. And returns as a retail person was an ugly word. Like you teaching people to use the right tools and the proper instruments etc. I had to explain to customers, friends and relatives. Again have a great day my friend and I am so elated I discovered your channel .

[@longhairmullet]

Oh yes yes, more extruded aluminum video tips please, I cant get enough info on this. This was just the tip of the iceberg, haha! Thank you so much for the walk through on this George. Greatly appreciated.

[@whomarjb]

Fantastic Brother, this type of instruction is the bomb!

[@2096games]

I was working out how to use alluminum in my upcoming builds and you showed me just what I need.

[@marcusallenyt]

you alway answer my question before I ask. Great detail and now is my blue print for my cabinets . have a good Xmas

[@HumbleRoad]

Glad to help!

[@maryp2747]

One of the engineering firms I worked for used 8020 for all the fixtures they built for clients. They called it tinker toys for adults.

[@robertwagner8596]

great content bud,thanks for sharing....your giving me ideas for my build...

[@HumbleRoad]

Glad I could help

[@katherinekatherine8512]

I could listen to you all day long.

[@Racerboy535]

You are a craftsman in a time of a culture off throw it away in a few years. People don’t understand planning and execution. Slam it together and it’s good enough. I’m with you, it’s like a 401k a small investment of time in planning will pay big dividends in the execution. I’ve fought for 20 years to get people onboard at my work. Lol. Keep on keeping on. It’s great to see someone that takes the time and buys from a US based company like 80/20. Thank you for the content.

[@goodfriend6428]

Wonderful! Great, professional presentation! Thank you for sharing. Excellent!

[@HumbleRoad]

Thank you very much!

[@jordanjacobs9537]

Fun fact i actually work at 8020 and seeing our product in action is awesome

[@scotschuler9365]

I really enjoy watching your videos because I get to learn alot and your editing is great.

[@Gallardo6669]

Personality, explanation and advises: TOP NOTCH ! Thank you 😀

[@israelsarabia2700]

Excellent teaching skills Sir! Thank you

[@lifesprodject5265]

Wow!! Thank you always safety first! This Will save a life.

[@HumbleRoad]

You're welcome!

[@tomm6789]

I had a Erector Set when I was a kid. I wish I had 80/20. Great video.

[@HumbleRoad]

Thanks for watching!

[@nomadicstrider2386]

Many thanks for another great video. You are helping me so much with my build !

[@HumbleRoad]

Glad to help

[@grinchyface]

I have been using feral cats for my grounding wires for 45 years and they work just fine thank you

[@HumbleRoad]

🤣

[@rinwilliams6276]

Wow. Thank you so much. Learnt so much valuable info and it will same me time in the future. You're the best!

[@HumbleRoad]

You're so welcome!

[@Hipporider]

Regarding attaching wood to a metal frame. It's best to have the 90° aluminium brackets with slotted holes, to allow for the wood expanding and contracting, especially with solid wood 🇦🇺

[@MrGhostsword]

starting with the extruded aluminium, not for vans, but for fish tanks and frames.. this video is instrumental. wow, thanks a lot for sharing.

[@HumbleRoad]

Fish tank frames! That's a resourceful use! 👍

[@user-bg4py3bc3t]

16:07 как только я понял какая замечательная система 8020 и как она подходит для RV , Ютюб порекомендовал Ваш канал . Спасибо большое за грамотное изложение , даже гугл переводчик справился на 99% , все предельно понятно. Про электротехнику и заземление 100% согласен 👍

[@OnYourWheel]

Great video. You're obviously very knowledgable in using extruded aluminum. Knowing all the different types of brackets and fittings is important prior to designing anything with that material.

[@bradgibson1433]

I like this guy. Keep it up!

[@rhythmuk1]

Wow! Thank you for sharing this info.

[@HumbleRoad]

My pleasure!

[@DiversifiedPrepper]

So many details to consider...that's why most projects start at the drafting board/blue print/SketchUp. 80/20⚒🚐👊🏼😎

[@mattsolomon6292]

End cap door. Access the entire span would be awesome for the user if possible.

[@Class1973]

Great video, nice character! I love the 80/20 material and will like to use it on my second build

[@tadhg-timdolan326]

Absolutely great presentation! For some reason I keep thinking of Al Pacino. Helicopter sound FX, genius.

[@T8RTU]

Great to see how planning the work that goes into 80/20 pays off so handsomely both in style and strength of the finished design in your vans George. It’s a pleasure to learn ✅👍

[@HumbleRoad]

Thank you very much!

[@razorwired130]

Been watching your channel since the first video and never knew that Alex was your son. Very nice to be able to work together!

[@OrganicHealer]

I do hope in the near future when I'm ready I can afford one of your builds, because I really want your craftsmanship. The helicopter scene was very inside drone like.

[@bobhead6243]

Another great video , love your use of 80 /20 , look after yourself .

[@HumbleRoad]

Thank you, I will

[@itswolfy]

thank you for the tips,

[@RobinHagg]

You have convinced me to go with extruded alu for my future projects

[@Altenurgy]

Lots of great tips! Thank you!

[@montygrantham8631]

100 agreed i have built four 3D printers with it. A Tip Use dollar store nail polish basically works for me like lock- tight. "Cheap and easier to control " Thanks

[@cashonlinegroup]

You are such a pro... Thank you for all you do.. Making me laugh too... AWESOME!!!

[@patrickmckowen2999]

Great info 👍

[@slother932]

I’m an engineer in the military aerospace field and use structural aluminum framing as much as possible (primarily for testing fixtures and one-off lab use). All of your tips are absolutely spot on. Great job and thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@HumbleRoad]

Well that's quite a compliment! Thank you, and I appreciate you watching and engaging.

[@slother932]

@@HumbleRoad Well deserved!I’m always looking for unique applications for this system and I’m so glad I found your channel.

[@shockingguy]

Awesome presentation GEORGE thanks

[@renaulttraficconversion]

Thanks for the video. Your converted vans have to be the best I have ever seen. Top quality materials! Makes me want to start again on our van.

[@BertrandBrussel]

You're the new world's George Carlin... Keep it up man!

[@nataliagriffith7996]

Thank you

[@ricks.1318]

George .... I've finally figured out your "middle name" , .... It's "Integrity" !!!!!! Always the BEST in quality, in your builds ....... "Priceless" :) :) :) :) :) :)

[@macwmcel8430]

Thanks a lot!!! Lot if knowledge here!!! I love it !!!

[@jamesmerkel9442]

this is 1st I am hearing about this great product, fab & RV & trailer work perfect, genius product.

[@hotsonaj]

Brilliant could watch all day

[@canadaplease7981]

Vibra-tite might work better for anti-vibration than loctite. Always had issues with the blue loctite while racing karts

[@eq2046]

This is a great video I’ve ever seen. Thanks for demonstrating the craftsmanship and sharing the details that we can benefit from.

[@kkz2dgz]

Thanks !