Self-made wood rack units?

[sluttygear]

Hello sluts.

Instead of spending major bucks on a nice wood rack unit I was thinking of making one, ideally with wheels and easy access, etc.. Any threads on this or suggestions? Haven't found anything yet

[sniperschool]

I'm just ordering pairs of 16u rack strips for six units I'm having built by a friend over the holidays

[sluttygear]

Originally Posted by sniperschool

I'm just ordering pairs of 16u rack strips for six units I'm having built by a friend over the holidays

Please post pics when you can!

[Padje]

Easy one, four pieces of wood. When calculating width (19inch) beware of the rack rails, they occupy some space too. So the rack has to be a little wider.

First one I made where in black mdf. Last one I made was in real wood, with drawers.

Fun to do, much cheaper than buying.

[sluttygear]

Originally Posted by Padje

Easy one, four pieces of wood. When calculating width (19inch) beware of the rack rails, they occupy some space too. So the rack has to be a little wider.

First one I made where in black mdf. Last one I made was in real wood, with drawers.

Fun to do, much cheaper than buying.

those look great!
were you using wood glue? also did you screw the rack rails directly into wood? Also, How long was the piece of wood on the sides? Do you find it easy to access?

[Padje]

those look great!

Thanks

The one in real wood is 43centimeters deep.
The ones in black mdf are at the bottom 58centimeters and at the top 45.
For me that was the difference in length necessary to compensate so I could reach every knob in the rack from top to bottom without moving my chair when sitting in mixposition. Depending on the gear and your arms and stuff your YMMV.
I think considering cabling and stuff 43 is a minimum. If you put your rackrails 4 centimeter to the rear there's only 39 left. Check what gear you have to put in and how much (multi)cabling is necessary.

I glued everything together in combination with festool dominosystem. To make shure everything fitted well, I used a tacker. (but not much)

To fix the rackrails I used the things you see on the pic. I don't know how you name it in English. Anyway, the left thing can be screwed into the wood after drilling the appropriate hole. The right things screws into the left thing so can tighten the rackrail which is in between.

Make sure the left thing is well seated and flat with the wood and use a couple of them when a lot off weight will be in the rack. Make sure the right thing has a "flat head" because else the risk exist your gear won't fit. I think it's best to put the rackrails a bit to the back so the knobs of your gear are not sticking out.

I hope all is clear. Have fun woodworking.

[newdigitaluser]

Originally Posted by sluttygear

Hello sluts.

Instead of spending major bucks on a nice wood rack unit I was thinking of making one, ideally with wheels and easy access, etc.. Any threads on this or suggestions? Haven't found anything yet

instead of spending major time and effort building a rack
i would consider buying one.

not sure about wheels. that would make it tippable.
i want my rack in place and firmly bolted down.

[Lights]

A woodworker friend built a custom desk with rack mounts built into the speaker risers. The one thing I learned is that the rack rails don't always come at a perfect 90* angle. So check the quality of what you get when it arrives and complain quickly if it's not right

[sluttygear]

Originally Posted by Padje

Thanks

The one in real wood is 43centimeters deep.
The ones in black mdf are at the bottom 58centimeters and at the top 45.
For me that was the difference in length necessary to compensate so I could reach every knob in the rack from top to bottom without moving my chair when sitting in mixposition. Depending on the gear and your arms and stuff your YMMV.
I think considering cabling and stuff 43 is a minimum. If you put your rackrails 4 centimeter to the rear there's only 39 left. Check what gear you have to put in and how much (multi)cabling is necessary.

I glued everything together in combination with festool dominosystem. To make shure everything fitted well, I used a tacker. (but not much)

To fix the rackrails I used the things you see on the pic. I don't know how you name it in English. Anyway, the left thing can be screwed into the wood after drilling the appropriate hole. The right things screws into the left thing so can tighten the rackrail which is in between.

Make sure the left thing is well seated and flat with the wood and use a couple of them when a lot off weight will be in the rack. Make sure the right thing has a "flat head" because else the risk exist your gear won't fit. I think it's best to put the rackrails a bit to the back so the knobs of your gear are not sticking out.

I hope all is clear. Have fun woodworking.

awesome. thank you much for the details. will get on my project in a bit and start posting pics!

[kickdrummer58]

Made mine for about $150. 2x14 space and 2x4 space up top. Slanted face and top is slanted more dramatically. Took me about 8 or so hours with 2 coats of stain and one final coat. I love them. They are made from birch ply 3/4" (2 full sheets 4'x8). Used circular saw, jig saw, and a drill. Counter sunk the screws and filled over the holes with wood putty.

[gehauser]

I made this one from oak plywood. Rack rails and bracing are solid oak. Cushioned L-brackets inside to avoid cantilevering equipment from the face plate. 14U spaces, added a removable shelf. Mildly sloping front (18" deep at top, 20.5" deep at bottom). Basic furniture casters. Not fancy but very functional.

[Myriad_Rocker]

I made my own rack units. This may give you some ideas. Mine turned out pretty decent, IMO.



















Here's my cut sheet from the two racks I built. There's one change to this...the pieces that are 3.5" wide should actually be 2.75" wide. Otherwise, the 12 space rack rails won't fit. Also, the tops should be 1' 10.5"...not 1' 10". I changed it at the last minute.





EDIT:

Also, I used pocket holes everywhere. I used the Kreg pocket hole jig to do these. It was a fantastic purchase. For the angled rack cuts, do those on a table saw or use a guide if you can.
For the exposed ply part, I used iron on oak veneer. Came out great.

It's all made with 3/4" oak ply.

[tenchijin2]

I made a very nice, simple slant-faced rack out of decent hardwood plywood. Stained it, it works very well and is rather well-built. I've moved it several times and it holds up. I'll try to post pics if I can.