Rack Plans...

[Brahmb]

I just did a search for rack plans and the only thread I found was one where Spamburglar promised to get them out. That was in April. Anybody have decent plans for a good rack(and I'm not talking digging up Marilyn Monroe...)

 

[drstawl]

I've purchased two SKB rackmount cases and after getting each one home I KNEW I could build something stronger or cheaper, but when it comes to lighter I don't think my plans would rate. If you're only concerned about strength
and cost I think you could get an abrasive saw, a drill and some fasteners and create a Steel cage for cheap or an Aluminum cage for some more out of 1/2" - 3/4" angle. Even slicker would be a MIG or TIG welded frame. For an outer skin use 1/8" Polypro sheet (available in 4' x 8' sheets in many colors) and zip screw it to the frame. Wood is cool as long as you don't have to carry it anywhere and don't mind the less impervious-to-stains finish that this will provide relative to polypropylene.

 

[dobro]

Depending on how many, or rather how *few* pieces of gear you've got, you can just stack em up on the table beside your recorder on top of each other. I separate them with small braces I make out of leftover wood - kind of a simplified ice cube tray design - good air circulation. Tying them together using the rackmount holes makes the whole structure kind of stable, if you're not anticipating major shocks. I've got cats, and the stack's survived this far. For about a dollar, form meets function.

 

[drstawl]

Problem is I am anticipating major shocks. At home from the effects of an earthquake on second floor architecture; on the road from the effects of brawling drunkards. Better to build it tough and laugh at the incident rather than let a little incident ruin your day.

 

[Spider]

i built a very decent rack for the cost of a length of rack strip (was the only thing i had to purchase , oh and proper rack nuts and screws) , the rest i made from some 16mm particle board (go to your local trade hardware, the large packs of board they get in have cover sheets top and bottom, they'll usually throw these so just ask them for the next one that they get ). Actualy i think i bought some pine for the frame which wasnt very much. But what i ended up with was a twenty space unit that looks very neat. On top is eight spaces sitting on an angle (about the angle a mixers face is at) , this is where my console sits. Down the front on a slight angle moving outwards is the other twelve, this holds everything else. But like the doc said this isnt something u would be moving round heaps , is real solid but lacks portability (i dont need it for that anyway).. But it cost so little that when it comes time ill just build another.. At the moment its full with a space in between each unit for air.. so the next piece of equipment is going into a new rack.. But if its something thats not going to gigs with you then just look at a pick of a nice looking rack in a pro studio , and copy it.. thats what i did, and it looks bloody close to the original .. Im probly just lacking the really nice looking finish the real one had .. but hey this is very presentable.... just use your imagination a little and try to see how a pro one would be built .. it really isnt that hard to get great results ....good luck ...

 

[guitarplayer]

I've built 2 of them, 1 which is road worthy. The traveling one is made out of laminated pine with casters. The only plans I had were knowing the width of rack items. From there it's basically a box that you're building.

My 2nd one was for a home studio. The desk runs the length of 2 walls in an L shape. What I built is a 4 space by 3 rack shelf. This kept the height low, yet still gave me 12 rack spaces. It continues on an additional 25 inches to hold the computer monitor with the keyboard being slid underneath when not in use. I used white Melamine.

GP