I want to build a modular system that allows me to hang things on a straight rail mounted a few millimeters from the wall. In my office at work, I have one of those hanging rail systems that allows me to attach a whiteboard, or book case, or whatever. Well, I want that for the home.

This set of things slip over a straight piece of aluminum or steel and provide some mounting holes. These jackets can be screwed into a wall or other surface, and provide a convenient attachment rail system.

There is an end cap, and a 'slip' jacket. The end caps secure the end, and the slip jacket can secure a midpoint.

Of course, it's a base form, so once you have the thing mounted on the surface, you can construct various other things that can slide onto the rail as well.

This thing works with 1/8" X 3/4" aluminum by default. The OpenScad is provided, so you can construct any size you like by just changing a couple of parameters.

1) Purchase and cut to length, some flat aluminum (or steel).
2) Print a couple of the 'slip' sleeves and slide them onto the rail
3) Print a couple of 'end cap' sleeves, and slide them onto either end of the rail.
4) Mount the whole fixture onto a surface, using the appropriate screws or adhesives (liquid nails might work)
5) Rejoice!

You now have a nicely mounted rail which can be used to attach other things. If you do some mash ups, you could attach something like this: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6807 or hooks, or whatever.