I’m working on a project that requires me to mount a 19" rack mount computer into a workstation. Being fairly ignorant about these things I thought I would see what the SDMB could come up with.
Here’s the deal - I need to mount a 19" 4U rackmount computer in as small a volume as possible, while retaining the ability to slide the computer out to replace it - so ideally I’m looking for an open ended “rack” designed to take only one 4U computer. So far I’ve only been able to find big things with far more space than I need.
Failing the existence of such a rack, does anybody know where I can find the specs for the hole spacings for computer racks? - I have a reference # ( EIA-310-D ). With these numbers I could then go on to buy some rack mount rails and fabricate my own mounting rack. If anybody has a good source for the rails I’m interested.
If you need a rack whose hole spacing and threading is precisely “in spec”, companies like Milestek
stock rackmount-threaded angle irons or strips (as well as rails, drawers cases and other accessories) but these can be a bit pricey.
If you’re just doing this as a casual one-off project that won’t be mounted in a “real” rack and/or you you can tolerate a little wiggle room when mounting “real” rackmount gear in it, you can use inexpensive, heavy stock perforated angle or flat iron stock from your local ‘Home repair warehouse’ type store - a single 8-ft bar can be cut and bolted/elded into a complete 4U rack for $10-15.
Thanks a lot for the links. This is a client project and really shouldn’t have any “wiggle” - it’s going to be used on a ship and should hold up to rough seas.
If cost is a consideration be sure to check out electronic salvage stores.
For shipboard use don’t forget to have some place at the bottom of the rack (that can take the stess) that can be bolted to the deck. Also remember that shipboard wiring is different, no neutual and the color coding is different.