Why is V-slot so much more expensive than T-slot Hi all, I have recently purchased some 2020 T-slot profiles which are well made with a good finish and was just looking at V-slot prices for comparison. The V-slot is 2-3 times the price, yeah it has a V profile but trying to understand why there is such a price difference? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,744507#msg-744507 Wed, 13 May 2026 21:24:21 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,863296#msg-863296 Re: Why is V-slot so much more expensive than T-slot https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,863296#msg-863296
Quote
pdtechBigBot
Hi guys, I realize this is an old thread, but I have your answer. Openbuilds is bullying the industry with lawyer BS. I am trying to find publications to defend my business (and livelihood) at the moment to prove that V-slot frame has been around far before OpenBuilds trademarked the word "V-slot" in 2016. OpenBuilds lawyers hunt down competition selling V-slot and threaten them with legal action I presume. My business sells V-slot frame...I drafted the profile and own the extrusion dies. I cut and ship the extrusions and sell these on Amazon and eBay for a competitive price. OpenBuilds has filed 24 or so violations against my company yesterday claiming trademark violations from using the term "V-slot" and counterfeit product violations after I changed my listings to "Vslot". I do not sell or advertise these as an OpenBuilds product or replacement. Ironic their name suggest "open-source" but their practices are in fact centered around the legal market isolationism.

Oh my, that doesn't sound good.. It sounds like you're going to win this case given the info you're supplying. If you win, does this mean they also have to pay your legal fees? I am not very familiar with legal practice but want to wish you good luck. I think their products are 'opan-soorce' ;)

Btw, ratrig still sells these:
[www.ratrig.com]]]> Ohmarinus Extruded Aluminum Frames Thu, 28 Nov 2019 08:11:43 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,863263#msg-863263 Re: Why is V-slot so much more expensive than T-slot https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,863263#msg-863263 pdtechBigBot Extruded Aluminum Frames Wed, 27 Nov 2019 17:39:13 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,764710#msg-764710 Re: Why is V-slot so much more expensive than T-slot https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,764710#msg-764710 I used to work in an extrusion operation. Die changes are very costly and create downtime on very expensive equipment. So longer runs are better and less costly per/foot. So volume will have a lot to do with price.
When I built my printer I was pleasantly surprised at the cost of the extrusions. I used mostly 20X80 v-slot. What set me back was the cost of the double ball bearing rubber wheels, and I needed 16 at about $5.00 each.]]> cwaa Extruded Aluminum Frames Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:03:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,764667#msg-764667 Re: Why is V-slot so much more expensive than T-slot https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,764667#msg-764667
My second post actually links to some prices I compared, however I am happy to provide a link to some 2020 T-slot for reference.

http://www.motedis.com/shop/Slot-profiles/Profile-20-I-Type-slot-5/Aluminium-Profile-20x20-I-Typ-slot-5::1076.html]]> Antscran Extruded Aluminum Frames Thu, 27 Apr 2017 12:35:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,764624#msg-764624 Re: Why is V-slot so much more expensive than T-slot https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,764624#msg-764624 cwaa Extruded Aluminum Frames Thu, 27 Apr 2017 09:44:18 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,745262#msg-745262 Re: Why is V-slot so much more expensive than T-slot https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,745262#msg-745262
From what I can see the raw material and process is the same no matter if it's T-slot or V-slot, you just swap the die shape out to form the different profile.

I posted a reply to RatRig's advert HERE on the forum as they seem to be the only producer in the EU, see if they can shed some light on the question.]]> Antscran Extruded Aluminum Frames Sat, 04 Feb 2017 10:10:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,744811#msg-744811 Re: Why is V-slot so much more expensive than T-slot https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,744811#msg-744811 PDBeal Extruded Aluminum Frames Thu, 02 Feb 2017 17:37:11 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,744507#msg-744507 Why is V-slot so much more expensive than T-slot https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?177,744507,744507#msg-744507
I have recently purchased some 2020 T-slot profiles which are well made with a good finish and was just looking at V-slot prices for comparison.

The V-slot is 2-3 times the price, yeah it has a V profile but trying to understand why there is such a price difference?]]> Antscran Extruded Aluminum Frames Thu, 02 Feb 2017 02:14:37 -0500