Build your own Rack

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weatherbill

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I went into the used music store here in nashville last month, and I thought these rack units are way overpriced, so I decided to build my own whichw as a fun project and I saved about $100 and have a wat better rack unit that all of em out there.
I designed mine, so I would'nt have to reach way in the back to plug and unplug stuff like alot of rack units are (built deep).
So I built one from 2 x 4's, Then I covered it with panelling. It's got 6 spaces for units and then I built it with a big storage box on the bottom with a lid, so I can hide all the transformers and chords and wire in there with a plug strip.
Building your own is da bomb. Don't ever waist your money on the stor racks, unless of course you have alot of money to spend and are not mechanically enclined at all. I'de post a picture of it, but since win xp, my scanner is outdated, like some sound card drivers out there
 
I did my oun racks with the same type of materials. but I have 4 with 7 spaces. I think anyone that pays full price is insane.
 
I would like to build one with a panel/patchbay type unit either built in to the unit, or maybe a rack mounted (xlr, 1/4') and I know they sell them, but I am having trouble finding them. Anyone know a good place to find something like this?

Pete
 
Weatherbill,

Are you just drilling the gear into the 2x4 posts? I was considering using wood, but was a bit nervouse that wood wouldn't be a good enough anchor for the screws. Do you have supports for your gear anywhere else, or is it sturdy enough using just the rack ears? Also, what kind of wood did you use?

Thanks a lot. I like to save money too.

marcus
 
Mars sells a 1 rack space 16 hole pannel that holds 16 1/4" jacks for 7.00, they also have one with 12 xlr sized holes for about the same. I use these and hard wire the jacks to outputs in the back of the racks.
 
thanks Darrin, that's what I was looking for. Unfortunately it's $7 for the panel and $4 for each jack!! Guess I had better start selling stuff again :D

Pete
 
So if I was to run an inline pre (Audio buddy) for phantom power, would it get through the panel? I ask because I have tried to send phantom power through some things before (like using a comp or other item in between) and it doesn't go through. These panels, being just wire shouldn't be a problem, right?

Thanks,
Pete
 
battleminnow:

there should be no problem if the jacks are properly wired, make sure they are balanced. when using a compressor it has to go after the preamp.

Sucram:
wood easily will hold rack gear, make sure you use wood screws
 
You may want to check with a local TV or radio station in your area. Many times they will have surplus equipment stored, with intention of ever using it again. Also, check a local university, many times they will sell racks that came out of their studios, or labs. Nothing beats a professional rack!
 
Good call Lavoz, I hadn't thought of that. Do you think auctions might have racks (office, CPU)? Might be worth a try.

Pete
 
to Sucram and Lavoz ,my reply

Sucram, Yes, I screw it right thru the panelling into the 2x4 wood with 1# wood screws

And to LAvoz, i have a different opinion when you say "Nothing beats a "professional" rack. Is that for good looks? I say this becasue I've found most racks to be impractical. My shelves are only 7" deep, which makes it easy to get to the back of my rack units. Most all the ones I've seen in stores are too deep and you have to bend down and get inside ther to see what you're pluggin into. I bet that if they maed a "professional" design of my rack and sold it in stores, it would out sell the competition 5 to 1. I have no doubt about that. Plus with the big box with the lid built into it, you can store all your wires and keep them out of the way, something those "professional" racks lack.
I think you'd change your mind if you could see this, but my scanner has since become outdated due to windows xp, so I can't scan a picture for all to see of it.
That's something that would be real intesting , is to get all who can to scan pictures of their home studios and make a section of this site just for showing gear and set ups. Yeah, someone spread the word. That would be shwelly!
 
Man, try building one of those SKB's that roll around on wheels and can hold a 24-channel mixer on top.

Then I'll tell you that homemade is the way to go...
 
Actually, I plan on building an 8 space with a mixer rack on top. I will keep you posted...:cool:

Pete
 
Uh...my rack is by 'Rubbermaid' :p Only $14.99!! Canadian, eh...And it's translucent too. Very chic. I made it for my personal monitoring rig...space for my mixer on a slide out tray, compressor, crossover and power amp and still room for cable storage. It was just a little over 19" wide, but it's plastic so you squeeze it a bit and it falls right into spec. It's proved to be surprisingly tough. Not as good as a pro rack, but waaay cheaper and still much better than carboard boxes! My motto for low paying gigs is: 'Your gear can never be too cheap'

Jim
 
battleminnow said:
Actually, I plan on building an 8 space with a mixer rack on top. I will keep you posted...:cool:

Pete
Click to expand...

Cool. My old band got lucky when we happened to stop into the local music shop right as they were unloading a bunch of used gear one day that someone had sold to them - there was an SKB 16 space floorstander with the mixer rack and casters on the bottom.

We got it for $150 - just because the owner didn't feel like looking it up. :cool:
 
The SKB 6 space racks are $79.99 right now, thats not too bad. If its something you're never moving then it might be better to build, but I like the light weight, and the handles on the skb cases especially if every couple weeks or so you are moving the stuff. Im going to put some Adats in them, Im sure they will move a few times.
 
My skb is 5 years old...its , I don't know what model, a 8 rack space and a mixer space on top. Still to this day the plastic molding is strudy despite every effort to use it as a foundation(the bottom of the pile) for speakers, tools, washing machines, etc... while in storage. One BIG complaint I have though. The panels have these crappy little Aluminum lockers which lasted less than a year so now it is not so "safe". I plan to drill the plastic molding and design hardware store industrial strength lockers someday but... that hasn't happened yet.
 
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