DIY Mixer Case

[el_ingeniero]

Been looking online for a case to put my 01V into, and I'm not very
happy with my options. Nothing cheap and cheerful is coming up
that looks like a decent fit (the sizes are 20.4" x 16.7" x 5.8") so I'm
thinking of going the DIY route with some of my extra 1/4" BB.

I'm thinking of building a doghouse with a 14U slant rack suspended
inside.

I priced some hardware and I have to say, given the cost of materials
DIY is almost more expensive than store-bought, especially the double
angle extrusions. The question is, do I need the double angle extrusions
or can I do OK with just building a box out of BB and riveting/epoxying
aluminum angles and corners on it?

Any other sources besides Reliable Hardware?

[Bruce Weldy]

I bought all the stuff for my rack from this guy...

http://www.dblittle.com/catalog/

Ended up talking to him on the phone. Small operation - good service.

If you are only going to put the mixer in one time and leave it. Just make the rails from 1x2 material and use wood screws. If you are going to rack mount a bunch of other gear - go with the rails - it's worth it.

[el_ingeniero]

I bought all the stuff for my rack from this guy...

http://www.dblittle.com/catalog/

Ended up talking to him on the phone. Small operation - good service.

If you are only going to put the mixer in one time and leave it. Just make the rails from 1x2 material and use wood screws. If you are going to rack mount a bunch of other gear - go with the rails - it's worth it.

If I can, I'll probably not even buy rack ears, just make them out of ply.

[DaveK]

given the cost of materials DIY is almost more expensive than store-bought

That's often the case, even when you don't put a price on your labor. Manufacturers get wholesale pricing on those materials.

do I need the double angle extrusions
or can I do OK with just building a box out of BB and riveting/epoxying
aluminum angles and corners on it?

I've made cases without corner extrusions and they work fine for occasional weekend warrior duty. However, I used 1/2" ply. I/4" ply seemed too flimsy without some sort of reinforcement at the handles and other stress points. By the time I factored in what I thought was enough reinforcement, there was not enough weight savings to justify the extra work.

[Rick Lee]

Actually, I built a drum coffin road case using 1/8" ply and braces in the sides and corners and fiberglass tape at all the outside edges. It's held up well for three years.

I would use the 1/4" BB braced with 1x1 hardwood or ply. Once everything's mounted it should be plenty strong.

[J_Dunavin]

I also made a rack for DJ mixing board out of 1/4 Birch ply with 1x1 braces in some areas in side. With the same 1x1 strips for rack ears.
Maybe it's not the toughest, but it is light, and since i am a weekend guy anyway... it's held up great, and it was CHEAP!

[el_ingeniero]

So maybe some 3/4" wide strips of 1/4" BB glued up to make a 1" brace.

Then I can use regular latches.

any ideas on how to do shock mounts on the cheap? I was thinking to make a box inside a box, then
use some cookies made out of memory foam on every side. If that works out well, I'll make a wheeled, shock mounted rack with a retractable handle to replace my 8U Gator box.

[Rick Lee]

So maybe some 3/4" wide strips of 1/4" BB glued up to make a 1" brace.

Just make sure you're not screwing into the edge grain (for the rack rails) and I would be a little leery of 3/4" strips. The strength of the plywood is in the flat plane and you glue the strips together to give (equivalent) strength in the edge plane.