DIY 19" racking

[tehlord]

I've been thinking about doing this for a while so I have a couple of questions?

Is there a standard internal width that racking strip needs to be screwed into? The obvious way to work it out is to just measure the width of a piece of hardware but I won't feel right doing that.......

Is there a standard height for what is considered 1U? I've seen a few 1U rack synths that are 45mm high but are they all identical or is it a bit more slapdash than that?

My plan in to build a 4-6U height unit that will be 2x19" width so that my screen and monitors can sit on it too. Probably MDF as it'll be nice and solid.

Anybody done anything similar?

[Dave Boulden]

485mm is the minimum internal width... I always aim for 490mm. 1U is 44.45mm, it's an odd number 'cos 1U is actually 1.75 inches high.

If you are going to make a rack unit, then cut the side pieces, screw a length of rackstrip to each side piece and then mount a 2U blank panel onto the side peices... wiggle it until the rack bolts are central in the slots of the rack panels... check the rack panels are exactly square to the side pieces and you then have the exact width to make the top and bottom pieces.

[Dave Boulden]

...also, be sure you cut your rackstrips to length correctly. When you look at the holes in rack strip, the gaps between the holes are uneven... you get 2 wide gaps and then 1 narrow gap... the narrow gap is the boundary between each 1U panel and that is where you cut it to length... many people make the mistake of cutting rackstrip between one of the wider gaps and then find the rack mount equipment's holes don't line up with the rack strip properly.

[tehlord]

Great advice that thanks

I'm guessing the 5mm extra you use for width is taken into account by a few mm play either way in the holes in the mounting strip?

Ah never mind ill persuade it with a hammer afterwards if I need to

I'm considering rounding all the edges off and spraying it with some fancy paint finish.

I might even do a few and ebay them off

[Dave Boulden]

Here's the last couple of racks I built:

In-console rack next to my mixer:




and a floor standing rack:

[tehlord]

Ah yes pretty much what i'm looking at doing on a desktop scale.


Thanks for the idea of some ambient lighting too.

[Dave Boulden]

Originally Posted by tehlord

I'm considering rounding all the edges off and spraying it with some fancy paint finish.

It's a good plan. Mine are done with standard satin emulsion applied with a 4" roller.

Also be aware that MDF can be simply glued and clamped together... no need for screws or nails at all. All my racks and even the legs of my main console are simply glued together:

[tehlord]

Nice setup that. I might as well just bung a couple of screws in the top and bottom for now as i'll most likely be moving it around a few times over the next year or so.

Definately a few ideas there though

[Dave Boulden]

Well, take it from me, screwing it together will make it far less durable than gluing it... in fact the glued bonds are so strong that the MDF will split before the glue gives way if you try to prise it apart... seriously!

To ensure straight square edges for gluing (or even if you are screwing it together), pay the extra few quid and get the wood-yard (or B&Q or whoever) to cut the pieces out for you on their big board cutting rig.

[tehlord]

Originally Posted by Dave Boulden

Well, take it from me, screwing it together will make it far less durable than gluing it... in fact the glued bonds are so strong that the MDF will split before the glue gives way if you try to prise it apart... seriously!

To ensure straight square edges for gluing (or even if you are screwing it together), pay the extra few quid and get the wood-yard (or B&Q or whoever) to cut the pieces out for you on their big board cutting rig.

Hmmmm, all my chippy training out the window then

Very basic though, and many years ago....and never with MDF. I'll take your word for it.

I'm thinking about 250mm for depth, does that sound about right to you - bearing in mind this will be for the synths so there'll be no big valve gear or amps etc?

[Dave Boulden]

Yes, it is specifically MDF that works so well with wood glue... I believe it's because of the way the glue partially soaks into the MDF itself.

250mm does sound as though it could be OK depth-wise, but probably 300mm might be better allowing for recesses... what you ought to aim for is to measure the depth of your deepest rack-synth and add 70mm or so... this allows for the rack strips at the from to be recessed by 20mm (gives some protection to the knobs on the front of the synths) and also 50mm at the back to give some protection to the plugs.

[tehlord]

Originally Posted by Dave Boulden

Yes, it is specifically MDF that works so well with wood glue... I believe it's because of the way the glue partially soaks into the MDF itself.

250mm does sound as though it could be OK depth-wise, but probably 300mm might be better allowing for recesses... what you ought to aim for is to measure the depth of your deepest rack-synth and add 70mm or so... this allows for the rack strips at the from to be recessed by 20mm (gives some protection to the knobs on the front of the synths) and also 50mm at the back to give some protection to the plugs.

You da man, cheers

[modz1]

A very useful thread .. so stuck.. like Dave's glue!

[TrevCircleStudios]

Looks really good Dave! Can I order furniture in red please?

[tehlord]

Right i'm off to get the materials at the weekend!

Is there anywhere cheaper than Maplins to get the racking strip from? A 2m length with all the nuts and bolts etc is nearly £20!