Rack Cases

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wireneck
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Wireneck

Wireneck

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Why do these things have to cost so much? I own one 12 space skb right now and I have alot of loose gear that could easily fill up another 12 space. I've been looking at 6-12 space models and I just can't find a good deal. I know im being cheap in this department, but after i buy the rack and a rack shelf or two, plus the rackmount kits for one of my units Ive spent $200-250 that I would rather put torward another rack unit or a mic or something lol.
I've been searching on ebay but all of the used cases seem to be selling for almost as much as new. I would rather buy new if I have to spend that much.
Is there a cheaper company that sells rack cases? I looked into Peavey since we have a dealer here but oddly enough their cases cost more than SKB. Yes it seems odd but thats the case (no pun intended)at this place.
This is sort of a rant but also a question so any info will be greatly appreciated.
 
ditto....

I just bought a $900 mixer and then had to shell out the extra $230 for a friggin case. I guess its protecting your investment but, fuck! why is sound so damn expensive?
I am gonna have to fork over another $230 for a rack for my various amps and stuff,i have seen some racks that are wood, cheap but....will they hold?

I guess...build your own?


Yeah...pisses me off two.
 
I buy my SKB cases on EBay. I like the Roto series, which is lower cost. but suits my needs well. I pay about $70 for a 6 space rack.

Ed
 
Thanks for the replys guys. I probably would build my own but someone stole my skill saw and we had my fathers table saw in storage but he recently sold it, so i don't see building one to be an option. Im sure by the time I buy the rack rails and parts and get all the wood it would be easier and sturdier to shell out the cash. Thats jusy my opinion, i don't have the greatest wood working skills either.
Ed, the roto racks are probably what im going to go with this time.
 
They are the SKB lower line, but I like them better than the higher end product. The larger molding side handles are easier on the hands for a heavy rack. Their high end has small metal handles that cut through more for a heavy load.

I have a couple of each, and would only consider the Roto for any further purchases.

Ed
 
Anyone know of an even cheaper alternative if you only have a couple pieces of gear to mount that go absolutlely nowhere (as in traveling). They just stay in my room, but would prefer them off the floor or desktop.

Thanks
 
they make little desktop racks that are about $30, they should do the trick if your not moving the stuff around. Look on www.musiciansfriend or any of the other gear sites.
 
One thing to consider for custom made rack is weight. I used to have some from the same vendor that made my speaker cabinets. They were very solid and low in cost, but weighed a ton.

If you don't have to move them, it may not matter, but for portable stuff heavy racks are a bummer.

Ed
 
Thanks Tex,
I actually dug up an old thread from here where a guy was doing custom wood racks. (JasonBird) was his username, they looked nice and were actually cheap but apparently his email and his website aren't working anymore. I'll have to look into the info you posted.
 
I built a 14-space rack over a 12" deep drawer for $175.

On 3" casters the rack is 48 inches tall. I used ball-bearing drawer glides, and got the rack rail from FullCompass. You can find tapped rail out there a lot cheaper than them, though.
 
Does anyone know of any good sources for Rack Plans? I have a friend who may help me build one but it would probably be better to have some dimensions or a design.
I would really like to build an 8 space like this one for my desktop. This one is from www.nice-racks.com its 16 spaces and 23"deep at the bottom and 16" deep at the top. I really don't need that depth but im guessing that it has to do with the slant? Any ideas?
 

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I was in my kitchen and I noticed that my microwave cart looked like it might fit my rack(less) gear, so I decided to measure. turns out it has two sections that are 19.5" w X 11" h x 14" deep(22"h total). it aint real deep but with some rails or 1x1 wood slats...it might make a cheap rack. you could get a microwave cart for $30 at target or walmart! get some wood and screws at the local hardware superstore...all you need is a drill. I'm gonna try it this week! if it works the total cost couldn't be more than $50-$60
 
Lazy Lava- I have a feeling if you go get a sheet of wood and order the rails you will come in way under $60.
 
Computer racks are currently very cheap. With the dot com bust what used to cost $700 - $800 is now going for a buck two fifty. I've seen some on EBay for $50. They are typically 7 feet tall but if you are really trying to safe money you can get one of these, take the top off, hack saw the side rails to the height you want, drill new bolt holes and put the top back on. This would not be a unit easily moved around but for stationary studio work it should get you by.
 
Wireneck said:
Does anyone know of any good sources for Rack Plans?
Click to expand...
I've just started looking into this, and I think a DIY rack would be pretty darn easy to do. And it would be cheap, seriously cheap. You can get the wood cut when you buy it - they'll do a great job and charge either nothing or next to nothing. The rails are suprisingly inexpensive. Plus, you could build it to suit your needs: make it longer, add wheels, a giant drawer to store cables, a cofee machine, whatever you want.

Here's a good site for ideas/plans. Good pics and explanations:
http://colomar.com/Shavano/rackcase.html

Hope this helps!
 
Thanks for the link, Trashy. I'm about to embark on a new homemade rack (one my new mixer comes in) and I really like the idea of carpeting the unit.

Tops!
 
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