Don't know much about racks...

[jlietz]

Hi,

I'm looking to better organize my video equipment (currently on desks, tables, etc...) and was thinking about getting racks. Trouble is, I don't know anything about them. For example, are they sized for video equipment or just server equipment? Do they come as one unit? Or do you buy modular parts? Anyone know a good source of information on racks? Or a reputable online retailer?

Thanks.

[redwudz]

For your use, I wouldn't really recommend industrial racks. They are usually steel and very heavy. The standard electronic rack is for 19" panels. Watch old science fiction movies and you will see a lot of them.

Bought new, they are very expensive, typically $500 to $1000US, depending on what accessories are included.

All the devices mount from the front panel. You need the proper panels for secure mounting. Here's one link to a few manufacturers:

http://www.macraesbluebook.com/search/product_company_list.cfm?Prod_Code=6168600

But if you really are interested, you might find a surplus electronics dealer that has them for a decent price. You might need a few people to help moving them.

[lordsmurf]

Build one. A friend of mine made one from with a couple of 2x4's and a pucket of paint. It works pretty nice.

[edDV]

Broadcast equipment is designed for 19" front rack mounting. Your equipmen probably isn't so you would need shelves. Shelves defeat the cooling strategy of a rack which is air intake into the bottom and exhaust to exterior at the top.

example
http://www.lashen.com/vendors/MAP/Racks/Gangable/vmrk.asp

Get a rack for your 19" equipment and use ventilated shelving for ambient cooled consumer stuff.

[jlietz]

example
http://www.lashen.com/vendors/MAP/Racks/Gangable/vmrk.asp

Get a rack for your 19" equipment and use ventilated shelving for ambient cooled consumer stuff.

Price = $1289

[redwudz]

That's the price for 'Industrial strength'. But as I mentioned, you can often pick up one for not much more than the price of scrap metal at a electronics recycler. Look in the yellow pages.

Probably better would be some industrial shelving units. Similar to what they use in warehouses, but on a smaller scale. Racks are usually just a frame, and not easy to mount electronic units in, unless you have the front panels, sides, etc.

[jlietz]

Am I understanding this correctly? To get something that is at least 4 foot (48 inches) high I would want to get something like the Slim5 5-29 here http://www.lashen.com/vendors/MAP/Racks/Gangable/slim5.asp along with enough ventilated shelves here http://www.lashen.com/vendors/quest/shelves.asp to hold my stuff?

Wow, I didn't realize they were so expensive. We're talking at least $400 total for a rack with 5 shelves. No wonder Lordsmurf's friend built his own. Maybe I'll try to find a electronics recylcer in my area as Redwudz suggested.

Thanks all.

[Supreme2k]

I'm reporting this thread for being misleading.

I was going to offer advice about women.

[jlietz]

Ha

[edDV]

Now this is cool - IKEA needs to build one for $99
http://www.lashen.com/vendors/MAP/Racks/Pull_Out/asr-hd.asp

Wow, I didn't realize they were so expensive. We're talking at least $400 total for a rack with 5 shelves. No wonder Lordsmurf's friend built his own. Maybe I'll try to find a electronics recylcer in my area as Redwudz suggested.

Thanks all.

You shop the going out of business auctions. These big racks are heavy with all the accessories installed. Very heavy.

[lordsmurf]

Don't use shelves. Again, build your own, just make it narrow to accomodate your sized equipment.