Rack mount enclosure

[whistler]

I searched using "rack" as the keyword and didn't come up with anything, so here I go asking more questions...

I assumed that since everyone here is pretty in to the DIY sort of thing that someone had probably tried building their own racks for amps / effects / etc. I'm wondering if people aren't talking about it because it turns out to not be that economical, rack hardware is too hard to find, or what.

If people are doing it, where are they finding the front and back rails? Since the rig I'm currently building is focused on DJing I'm looking at an 8u, giving me space (eventually) for 3 x 2u crown xti amps (2 plus a spare) my firewire to laptop interface and one more for when my wallet recovers and gear greed strikes again... ( also the firewire interface is very shallow so I figure I can secure it to the bottom of the box and still have space directly behind it for a small patch bay if necessary.)

I saw a link to edge and corner hardware which I can track down again, and I can figure out the measurements based on the crown amp I have and the airflow requirements listed in it's manual, but I definitely don't have the tools or knowledge to machine the front and back brackets that everything screws on to.

Comments?

[Sydney]

I'm wondering if people aren't talking about it because it turns out to not be that economical, rack hardware is too hard to find, or what.

Both Parts Express and MCM sell Rack Rails and all the accessories or materials to make any rack. Penn Elcom makes a lot of rack parts as well.
Many make racks out of plywood.
It's hard to say whether or not it cheaper to make or buy. You can make one exactly to your specifications.
Wood racks are much cheaper and heavier than plastic Gator or SKB racks.

[Tom]

Rack rails are here:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=500307

Here are some simple racks I built.

[whistler]

Awesome, thanks, that's what I wanted to know. Even with 3 amps at 18lbs, that's doable. I can move my 110lb anvil without too much difficulty and it doesn't have nice handles.

[WB]

I've always mine mine out of Baltic Birch and Duratex. This way I can make them to my exact sizes required, with no wasted space. They're also fairly light, probably lighter than any commercial case. A lot cheaper to built too.

[David Carter]

I get all my stuff from Leland. He gets PE stuff at wholesale prices and passes on some of the savings to us. PE ships the items directly to you. I just finished building an 8U rack. It doesn't get moved an awful lot, so I didn't concern myself with front and back covers. It's got rubber feet on the bottom and one side and strap handles on both sides. This way it can be carried one- or two-handed and can be set down on its side when being carried one-handed. I also built it 16" deep so that it fits perfectly on top of my Omni 10. Built it out of 3/8" ply and PL premium. The wood looks thicker because I added another 3/8" lip (1" deep) around the front just to make it look nicer. Added 3/4" oak strips along the joints inside the rack to add a little extra support.

[bgavin]

I built several racks and learned several lessons.

Wood is heavier than plastic.
Steel rails are heavier than aluminum.
Purchased is faster than DIY
Purchased has covers that fit.
Cost and shipping for the hardware is near that of discounted commercial racks.

I settled on the RoadRunner wood cases from Guitar Center.
Purchased at discount pricing, it was pointless to build more racks.
As a card carrying member of Geezerville, I went with several 4RU separates, instead of a single big rack on wheels.

[David Carter]

Wood is heavier than plastic.
Steel rails are heavier than aluminum.
Purchased is faster than DIY
Purchased has covers that fit.
Cost and shipping for the hardware is near that of discounted commercial racks.

Agreed on all counts. Only reason I've built both of my racks is that I always seem to have half the stuff already laying around when I decide I need one. And the fact that I don't need covers also keeps the cost down. Otherwise, I'd be right there with you at GC.

[bgavin]

I built 12RU racks from 3/4" ply, and paid the price for it. I hauled that heavy bugger for far too long.
It was designed to hold a QSX MX-3000a which weighed 69 pounds.
I replaced it with a PLX in short order...

After that, came the 1/2" MDF effects racks, cuz I had the MDF laying around. Yuck to those too.
My last specialized racks are for my synths, and made from 3/8" BB. These are tiny and weight is no concern.
Depth is 6" or so.

I have a contact at GC. Discount-pricing combined with the instant gratification of getting something accomplished, was a no-brainer for me. The RoadRunner cases are really nice, and very well built. I would be hard pressed to pay 2x more at retail.

[DJPhatman]

Built mine from 1/2" plywood, not BB. All the hardware came from one E-Bay seller, right here in Michigan. Total hardware cost, with shipping, was ~ USD$150, plywood was just under USD$20, and a can of spray adhesive was less than USD$8. So, for under USD$200, I have a custom-built 54" tall X 24 1/2" deep 14U over 16U box. To buy a commercialy built one, well over USD$500! Holds all my electronics, mixer, amps, light controller, custom 4U rack mount computer, and the 19" monitor built into the inside of the lid. Weighs quite a bit, but it's on wheels and rolls about very easily.

[bgavin]

Weighs quite a bit, but it's on wheels and rolls about very easily.

Tell me about getting it into your vehicle...

I gave up on those, because lifting them in and out of a truck or trailer is a drag for one man.

[Scott Brochu]

Weighs quite a bit, but it's on wheels and rolls about very easily.

Tell me about getting it into your vehicle...

I gave up on those, because lifting them in and out of a truck or trailer is a drag for one man.

Ramps
I built another flight case for amps and rack gear. I will take a picture with my next gig. But gave up on the cheap castors and went with 265# castors. Frigen amps weigh a lot!

[bgavin]

You'd think a set of outboard hand truck wheels might work well. Large diameter, roll well across cobble stone walkways or gravel.

[DJPhatman]

It has large, 4" spring suspension casters on the bottom, so it rolls well, even on grass. And, best of all, they were a freebie!

Because of the set-up, the little inconvenience that the large size imposes is off-set by the functionality of the complete system. The 01V will replace the EMX5000, DEQ/DCX combo will replace the light controller, and an XTi4000 will go in the box to power the subs. The EMX will be retired to back-up duties, and monitor duties when needed. The light controller will be going into it's own effects case. The all-in-one box has been planned since 2004, and allows me to set up all the electronics in less than 10 minutes! Plug into my power source, plug in 4 speaker cables, and I'm ready to make noise. It takes longer to boot everything up than to plug up. I have a rack-mounted jack plate on the rear rails, along with a fully adjustable cooling fan system, clearly labeled for sub and mains. My plan is to add a full snake plug for 16 sends and 8 returns, very similar to David Perry's stage snake on a reel. My computer will connect to the 01V using the digital light-pipe TOSLINK, and will handle play-back and instant recording. If my plan works out the way I have it in my head.

[bgavin]

It sounds very well thought out.
Please post more pix of the important layout items.