Homemade 19" Rack Enclosure

[matta]

Hey Guys,

Has anyone made their own rack enclosure?

I can't seem to get a good 19" 1U rack here in South Africa am investigating
having one made by a sheet metal place that can cut and bend. Anyone have
any diagrams they would be willing to share? I have sent through some ideas
to them based on a Par-Metal one.

I just can't believe it is so hard to find an enclosure!!!!!! I can import through
Farnell or RS, but they end up being about $160 for a basic 1U!

I e-mailed Par-Metal asking them if they ship ourside the US and not had a
response, though I suspect they don't as their is no mention of it on their
site.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

 

[clintrubber]

Hmm, high prices indeed. Perhaps any shortcuts possible ? Like using the enclosure of an old existing piece of gear that's no longer needed ? (like surplus measuring equipment). And/or just ordering a frontpanel and using the rest of the existing unit ?

 

[gyraf]

I don't know how shipping prices to SA is - but Benkler cases, Germany, makes some great boxes:

http://www.robeshop.de/

..and has on-line shop as well..

Jakob E.

 

[tony dB]

i revive some b'ringer boxes i scored on evilbay for this reason, is very costeffective. XLR and jacks come as extra.
Is that an option for you? Low dollarrate makes it even less expensive if you don't get taxed for importing (I always end up with high importtaxes :evil: )

Cheers,

Tony

 

[Bauman]

I have done some (10) fine ones on a metalshop and also some DIY. The guy cut the front panel to me (3 mm) and the rest is a U shaped that I cut myself, top and bot cover are 1mm AL sheet... It works, but I'm not so good with the mechanicals so... will try to get some pics, they are off to studio and I forgot to take pics...

:guinness:
Fabio

 

[matta]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the feedback and helpful hints. Bauman, I'd love to see some pics. Tony, we have some Bboxes here, just go to try and find some old ones. I used to own a B comp I sold, I can't remember if the front panel was unscrewable, are they? Will keeping looking in the second hand column in the paper. Like you importing stuff kills you! Our import taxes are as high as 30% and most of the time they charge the crap out of you and can't explain why...

Gyraf, check out the site, the boxes look sweet! It seems the sides and back are one piece, which could not be cool because it won't flat pack (the IKEA way of life) and they will charge cause the box is big. Worth a try anyways, I'll be dropping them a mail.

Clint, still looking for some old cases. Maybe I should ask some old electronic stores if they have anything.

Thanks again for all the tips and advise.

Cheers

Matt

 

[yan_b]

i diy'ed my own racks

http://public.fotki.com/shemtov/studio/g11762.html

how ever for good results you will need at least sheet metal shears and metal bending machine , wich probably cost much more then a great number of racks.