bob
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Posts: 32
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Post by bob on Aug 15, 2023 3:04:56 GMT -6
Hi
I’m going to weld up the racks to sit to the side of my console out of square steel tube, welding on prefab rack rails.
There’s space for two lower (14u-ish) units, and one tall(up to 30u) unit, side by side..
I live in a pretty dusty place, so I’m inclined to keep all racks vertical and not slope anything.
I’d like for them to live up against the side wall, as space is at a bit of a premium..
I’d like to have them on casters, so that I can wheel them forward to get into the back of them as req’d, as well as to clean underneath/behind..
The two lower ones will probably only house outboard as I’m not keen on the idea of having to stoop to use the patchbay.
The two lower ones will get a marble top, which is going to be one of the main utility surfaces in the room, so I don’t want or need to go as narrow as possible. Computer cpu, disks etc will probably live on top of the two lower racks.. monitor keyboard and mouse will be a separate roll-around cart thingy The console is 1.1m/43” from the wall, but I don’t think I want or need them to be THAT deep at all..
In the taller rack I’m thinking I’ll have the patchbay at about head-height. It’s 9u of tt patchbays, so the cabling off the back is pretty huge. I’ll need to have a whole structure behind the patchbay to strain relieve and keep the cables tidy.
Again, I want to be able to push the whole rack forward and get in behind if necessary. I’ll be sure to cable everything up with the extra lengths in mind.
What I haven’t figured out is how deep to go with the three racks..
Anybody with any opinions on nominal depths to shoot for would be great. I just need to settle on the dimensions and I can go get me the steel…
Thanks,
Bob
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Post by EmRR on Aug 15, 2023 6:46:54 GMT -6
I’ve got a few things that are truly square 17x17, though it’s rare. Many that are 10” deep. Add room for cabling, etc
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bob
Full Member
Posts: 32
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Post by bob on Aug 16, 2023 3:42:32 GMT -6
Ye sounds reasonable.. thanks
I just asked chatgpt(!) and it said 20-24”
Commercial units on Thomann come in at about 20”
I’ve had a good look at the space. It’ll work fine and give me room to pull things out and work behind..
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Post by Ward on Aug 27, 2023 18:33:54 GMT -6
at least 18" deep. Gear needs space. and it needs cooling....baby, I ain't fooling. And since we're on the subject, space for cabling and tooling.
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Post by svart on Aug 28, 2023 7:26:11 GMT -6
Mine are slanted. The top row is probably 18" deep and the bottom is about 30" deep. I like the slanted racks better because it's easier to see the faceplates. I make them a bit deep because at the time I had a number of Lexicon rack units and those are a lot longer than other devices.
These days I'd probably still make them roughly 20" deep at the bottom and maybe 12" deep at the top.
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Post by teejay on Aug 29, 2023 8:13:40 GMT -6
This is the company I modeled my build after: www.audiorax.com/premium-series-racksThey make their racks either 16" or 20" deep. If you're thinking slanted, you can click on one of their options and see dimensions so you can build accordingly. Their double racks are 16" top, 20" bottom. Their single racks are 12" top, 16" bottom. Maybe a good point of reference.
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,059
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Post by ericn on Aug 29, 2023 12:50:56 GMT -6
As a standard 18 covers most studio gear, if you use plywood 23 7/8 as an overall circus depth can mean less cutting and scrap, I always add about a 1/4 in extra height and internal width using washers because there is always at least 1 over sized face plate. Don’t forget rear rails, even if you jut use them to secure cable ties they will be a godsend. If you go a 1/2 taller che IKEA LED strip lights top and bottom ( optional top in back on a separate control) will light them better than any rack mount strip made. If you go with the LED strips I like to use a rack strip in the bottom space mounted in back with the thinnest piece in front on the bottom.
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bob
Full Member
Posts: 32
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Post by bob on Aug 31, 2023 1:42:28 GMT -6
Great stuff. Thanks a bunch all.
Steel got delivered yesterday, rails should be arriving tomorrow and then I can get going.
I’d love to slant them, but it doesn’t feel like a good idea with all the dust around here…
I think I’ll go for 20” depth…
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