How do you build 'rack mount' cabinet ?

Mar 01, 2004 10 Replies

I've been racking my brains on this for too long.... I know how to build a cabinet, but I'm not sure how to get the right mounting metal for the rack mount portion of this rack mount cabinet that I'm trying to build. Can anyone recommend a source for the metal rack mount material? Matt



DAGS: EIA rack DAGS: Unistrut

Are you talking about an electronics rack, a.k.a. Relay rack?

If, so, I had the same problem 25 years ago when I was trying to create an attractive home for a S-100 bus boat anchor of a computer. What I ended up doing was to find a surplus electronics rack and build a wooden case around it.

I would try a surplus store in your area or a computer flea market. Some of these racks have removable mounting rails. That would give you more flexibility in mounting inside a cabinet.

Musician's friend sells it:

Woops, I hit "reply" instead of "reply group".

What you are looking for is commonly referred to as "relay rack rail" or "rack rail".

Try:

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cheap stuff!

You might also find it at one of those high-end entertainment systems dealers or installers.

If you have the time, a good drill press and enjoy using a tap, get some angle iron and make your own. Use the dimensions found here:

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sure you get those measurements right. It is a real PITA to try to install gear in a rack that is built up wrong.

If you know someone down at the phone company or cellular company, they might be able use put you in touch with some old racks being replaced. I've been in warehouses full of that stuff. I guess it has to be stored for a number of years before someone gives the ok to call a recycling truck to haul it of to the scrap heap. Nothing wrong with most of it. Just the wrong style/brand whatever. With all the mergers and acquisitions, sometimes stuff is replaced just to standardize the gear used. For that matter, check your local scrap metal dealer. He may have a pile of it.

Good luck!

DexAZ

Well, I have about 26 pieces of it sitting down in the basement. It getting ready to go to the dump. I know that don't do you a helluva lot of good, but find somebody that works with the stuff, or around it, and they should have loads of it. BTW, 26 pieces = 13 racks. Some 19" and some older 22". Oh, and 2 whole cabinets with the dark plexi fronts, monitor and key board shelves. Kind looks like a little NASA down there. Yours for the taking!

Do you know anyone who works for the telephone company? Just about all of their racking EIA standard. Where I work they're just about always removing racking some for one reason or another and paying someone to haul it away.

-- Jack Novak Buffalo, NY - USA (Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

Plenty of responses already, but here's mine. Is this what you're looking for? 21U for $30. Double the price for 45U. (1U=1.75")

A similar project is > I've been racking my brains on this for too long....

Try a good musical equipment store, pro sound dealer, or searching online for "rack rail".

Here's one example:

Barry

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