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abm123
New member
I want to know because i am building my own workstation and want to add rackmounts but i dont know how wide they need to be. Sum1 plz help!
lpdeluxe
The Precision Bass Guy
19", about 18.25" bolt center-to-center.
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abm123
New member
are you dead positive thats exactly the size? What do you mean 18.25" bolt center to center? Thank you.
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Ptownkid
New member
it's the distance between the bolts (center to center) that hold a rack mount unit in place.
The face plates are 19 inches wide, and the holes that your bolts need to screw into are 18.25 inches center to center.
The face plates are 19 inches wide, and the holes that your bolts need to screw into are 18.25 inches center to center.
R
radiorickm
New member
19"
The world revolves around a 19 inch rackmount. that is standard everywhere.
the faceplate is 19" end to end (width)
the equipment will have usually at least 4 holes in it, to secure it to the rack.
these holes are located 18.25 inches center to center. to state it differenly, the holes are located 3/8 inch IN from the ends. 19 inches, subtract 18.25 leaves .75 or 3/4 inch. divide that by 2 to have an equal amount on each side. 3/4 (6/8) divided by 2 = 3/8 (3/8 + 3/8 = 6/8)
you will also want to be close on the heights also. The height of equipment is usually stated as UNITS, so you will see something like 1U or 3U.
a unit is 1.75 (One and 3/4 inches) tall
1U = 1.75
2U = 3.5
hope this helps
The world revolves around a 19 inch rackmount. that is standard everywhere.
the faceplate is 19" end to end (width)
the equipment will have usually at least 4 holes in it, to secure it to the rack.
these holes are located 18.25 inches center to center. to state it differenly, the holes are located 3/8 inch IN from the ends. 19 inches, subtract 18.25 leaves .75 or 3/4 inch. divide that by 2 to have an equal amount on each side. 3/4 (6/8) divided by 2 = 3/8 (3/8 + 3/8 = 6/8)
you will also want to be close on the heights also. The height of equipment is usually stated as UNITS, so you will see something like 1U or 3U.
a unit is 1.75 (One and 3/4 inches) tall
1U = 1.75
2U = 3.5
hope this helps
A
abm123
New member
thank you 
SonicAlbert
Super-Sonic "Herb" Albert
I've built many of the racks for my studio, and it's pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Please note:
1. The inner measurement of the rack should be 19 and 1/8 inches. This is to leave clearance for the gear itself. You'll find 19 inches too tight. The holes on the rack rails will line up fine with the gear at 19 and 1/8 inches wide.
2. The rack rails need to be set back from the front of the rack by about 1/2 inch. Or whatever looks right to you. Just as long as they are not flush with the front of the rack.
3. Leave 1/8 inch or so clearance at the top and bottom of the rack. So in other words, once you've calculated the total of the number of rack spaces multiplied by 1.75, add another 1/4 inch or so to that.
You can see the workstation I built for myself here:
http://www.misterpotts.com/studio10102003.html
The gear in the photos has changed, but the racks are still the same. I also made the stand for the mixers. The slant racks are made by Raxxess.
1. The inner measurement of the rack should be 19 and 1/8 inches. This is to leave clearance for the gear itself. You'll find 19 inches too tight. The holes on the rack rails will line up fine with the gear at 19 and 1/8 inches wide.
2. The rack rails need to be set back from the front of the rack by about 1/2 inch. Or whatever looks right to you. Just as long as they are not flush with the front of the rack.
3. Leave 1/8 inch or so clearance at the top and bottom of the rack. So in other words, once you've calculated the total of the number of rack spaces multiplied by 1.75, add another 1/4 inch or so to that.
You can see the workstation I built for myself here:
http://www.misterpotts.com/studio10102003.html
The gear in the photos has changed, but the racks are still the same. I also made the stand for the mixers. The slant racks are made by Raxxess.
D
Dot
New member
abm123 said:
The easiest thing to do is to attach a piece of your rackmount gear to the rack bars. Then use that to make the exact measurement and build the racks around them. I'd recommend you rack a piece of gear at the top and a piece of gear at the bottom. That way you don't make any mistakes.
TexRoadkill
Audio Bum
When I was building my rack I couldn't find a consistent measurment for the hole center to center width. I found out the standard was originated in the 40's for racking equipment on bombers. The reason they use slots on the gear instead of holes is because of the changes in temp and air pressure the rack would contract and expand. For whatever reason they haven't come up with a new standard since.
18 3/8" is perfect but 18 1/4" should work fine.
18 3/8" is perfect but 18 1/4" should work fine.
Fletcher
New member
You don't want to make the rack exactly 19" wide... it will often make it a bitch to rack the gear... make the rack like 19 1/8" [at least 19 1/16"] wide and use a couple washers under the rack rail so the rail sits at the 19" width, but the gear isn't jammed up hard to the walls of the rack.
Best of luck with it
Best of luck with it
mshilarious
Banned
Fletcher said:
Yeah I made mine like 20.5" and put furring strips in to attach the rails. It's nice to have the room on the sides. Probably better for cooling too.
Also I'd setback more than 1/2", especially if you have a rack PC since those handles stick out pretty far.
N
notCardio
I walk the line
What about depth?
Is there a standard rackmount DEPTH? And is there a standard angle to the front of sloping racks?
Thanks.
Is there a standard rackmount DEPTH? And is there a standard angle to the front of sloping racks?
Thanks.
minofifa
New member
ya i want to know how deep racks should be as well. i read 30 inches at the raxxx site (it seems to vary though)
also how are the unit held in the rack? are they just supported at the front by the rails??
can you buy the rails at any music store?
also how are the unit held in the rack? are they just supported at the front by the rails??
can you buy the rails at any music store?
mshilarious
Banned
minofifa said:
The deepest component is often the PC. Cases for music are often shallower than server cases since most music gear isn't very deep. You could go 18" if you don't have a rack PC, if you do, go about 24" and shop for a 20" deep PC case.
Gear is held in by the front rail. I also support my PC (heaviest item in the rack) with the bottom shelf. The rest of the gear is easily supported by the rail.
Dunno about local music stores, but there are several online vendors.
SonicAlbert
Super-Sonic "Herb" Albert
18" is pretty standard as far as depth. It's easy to find wood with that measurement as well. Basically, the rack can be as deep as you want it, so measure your deepest piece of gear and make the rack accordingly. But it's probably good not go less than 18".
As far as rear rack rails, that's entirely possible to do. You can rack mount gear facing toward the rear if you want to. Examples of that are things like a rack mount fan assembly or a power strip. Heavier gear should probably be supported in the rear as well. You'd definitely want to support a PC in the rear as well. I used to have a Sony 3/4" umatic machine that was very heavy and needed rear support.
You cna get rack rails at American Musical Supply, Musicians Friend, probably Markertek and any number of other musical supply stores.
As far as rear rack rails, that's entirely possible to do. You can rack mount gear facing toward the rear if you want to. Examples of that are things like a rack mount fan assembly or a power strip. Heavier gear should probably be supported in the rear as well. You'd definitely want to support a PC in the rear as well. I used to have a Sony 3/4" umatic machine that was very heavy and needed rear support.
You cna get rack rails at American Musical Supply, Musicians Friend, probably Markertek and any number of other musical supply stores.
cordura21
New member
ONe question. If 1.75" is the standard height, what's the distance from the center of both holes. Is that a standard too?
T
tvanveen
New member
Related question - many of my units are those little half rack units, lke an audio buddy and presonus 3q.
How do you mount those sorts of things?
Pics would be great!
tv
How do you mount those sorts of things?
Pics would be great!
tv
O
ozraves
New member
Nineteen inches is fine. Fletcher makes a good point about the rack walls. I'd suggest mounting the rails so they are flush with the walls so you don't get boxed in.
I've always wondered about rack width since most of the world is on the metric system.
Anyhow, what about gear that doesn't have rack ears? Get a universal rack tray. They come in different heights and widths. Some gear has holes in the bottom for the appropriate screw to mount it to the rack tray. Some gear does not and this is where Velcro can be a good thing to mount your gear to the tray.
What about width? I don't like deep racks. If you are making your own, then I suggest making it one inch deeper than the deepest item you plan to rack. Fourteen inches is a good compromise is you're not certain about future gear you may want to rack.
I've always wondered about rack width since most of the world is on the metric system.
Anyhow, what about gear that doesn't have rack ears? Get a universal rack tray. They come in different heights and widths. Some gear has holes in the bottom for the appropriate screw to mount it to the rack tray. Some gear does not and this is where Velcro can be a good thing to mount your gear to the tray.
What about width? I don't like deep racks. If you are making your own, then I suggest making it one inch deeper than the deepest item you plan to rack. Fourteen inches is a good compromise is you're not certain about future gear you may want to rack.
Fletcher
New member
Cardioidpotent said:
24 inches is called "amplifier depth", there is no standard angle to the front of sloping racks... it's a function of how tall the rack, and how short the arms.
Peace.
E
earworm
New member
this thread just comes straight out of heaven,
my current 19" rack is full,and i wanna build a second one myself,
i wanna make it myself cause the one i use now is TOO DEEP
i only have equipment that is like 10 centimeters deep (yeah, i'm eurotrash
) and sometimes its a bitch to switch cables,
and i know, i should use my patchbay, but i'm still waiting for my snake to arrive ;..
and what kind of wood would you suggest ? will the cheapest stuff do a fine job ? and how thick should the wood be ?
i don't wanna build a tank .. but its gotto be at least a bit solid ...
and i'm a virgin at this, never made any rackmounts before
so i'm about to loose my virginity together with some of you guys?
AWESOME !
my current 19" rack is full,and i wanna build a second one myself,
i wanna make it myself cause the one i use now is TOO DEEP
i only have equipment that is like 10 centimeters deep (yeah, i'm eurotrash
) and sometimes its a bitch to switch cables,and i know, i should use my patchbay, but i'm still waiting for my snake to arrive ;..
and what kind of wood would you suggest ? will the cheapest stuff do a fine job ? and how thick should the wood be ?
i don't wanna build a tank .. but its gotto be at least a bit solid ...
and i'm a virgin at this, never made any rackmounts before
so i'm about to loose my virginity together with some of you guys?
AWESOME !