From: grego@bit.UUCP (Greg Sanguinetti)
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Home-made audio rack - looking for suggestions
Date: 9 Sep 92 15:26:12 GMT
Article-I.D.: bit.417
Reply-To: grego@bit.UUCP (Grego Sanguinetti)
Organization: BIT  Portland, OR

In article <1992Sep5.194158.6118@macc.wisc.edu> nowhere@notany.machine.edu (nobody) writes:
>I have been thinking about building my own audio rack, since most of the
>commercially available boxes are not only too expensive, but also don't
>offer the amount of cooling I would like.
>...  I've been thinking about using a wooden frame and some
>kind of metal fencing material that I saw in a furniture display (there
>used as room divider). 
>
>I'd like to hear from people who have already approached this subject. 
>What other options do I have?
>Thanks
>Peter

I have made several and am very happy with the results, here is a short
(i hope) summary of the construction:

1. purchased a frame from some mail order house (long extinct)
   the frame had the rack rails intrigal to the front.
   bolted teak plywood to the sides with nice button head socket screws
   added casters so I could move rack out to access rear.
   this rack sits in an alcove just a little larger than the rack and a
   few feet taller (helps cooling).

2. purchased a used DEC PDP-11 computer rack. It has rack rails on all
   4 sides and cooling fans and filter sleeves built into top.
   I dismantled the rack (drilled out rivets) and cut a channel out of
   the bottom and top plates then welded them back together. This was
   done to remove some depth to the rack. Computer racks are pretty
   deep and this isn't needed for audio equipment.
   Once again I added wood to the outside of the frame.

Computer racks are a great place to start. I see them at all the surplus
stores for about $50 for a full size (6 foot) rack with metal sides,
castors, sometimes even front and back doors. They often have fans and
power distribution parts still attached. The rack rails are not tapped.
The are predrilled for "captive nuts". These are nuts with a metal clip
attached. They clip onto the rail and fit into the holes. They are
available at better hardware stores. Common sizes are 10-32, 1/4-20, 6mm.
(maybe that's 5mm?).

At the surplus stores, I have also picked up rack pannels that have
fans and grills (even filter sleeves). These are great for cooling and
can be mounted on the rear rail of a computer rack. You can also get
rack pannels that are open mesh. I use one of these above the amps to
aide cooling.

Musician's Friend (800) 776-5173 sells rack rails (tapped), rack drawers,
and shelves.

Oh, by the way, I have all my equipment rack mounted (5 racks!). I did not
insulate any of it from the rack. I have had no problems with ground loops.
If the equipment is made properly as is your power distribution system, then
you will not have problems. If not then use insulating washers.

-grego
-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grego Sanguinetti, Bipolar Integrated Technology | Water, water everywhere,
grego@bit.uucp or grego%bit%ogi.cse.edu          | but I'd rather drink
or bit!grego@ogi.cse.edu or ...!ogicse!bit!grego | beer.