aluminum boxes/enclosures for rack mount effects???

[loss1234]

I am trying to build myself a rack mount effects box. 3u high, 19" wide and pretty deep. i am going to get the front machined, so i really only need the top, bottom, sides, and rear. I have heard you can buy enclosures before but i cant figure out where.

i want to be able to paint it and fit a power supply in it. I am thinking a similar box to what (nice) stereo amplifiers come in or a compressor (3u) style box. i dont have any metal skills so i cant BUILD a metal box but is there a company out there that has prebuilt front less boxes?

thanks

[scratch]

Let see, 3U is 5.25" inches, you could use a Hammond steel enclosure, they have one here that is 17" wide, 10"deep and 5" high ... that just leaves you .25" of faceplate.
If you stick on rubber feet (less than .25" so that the screws holding down to top plate don't extend past the top of the faceplate)  to the bottom of the chassis, than you can clamp on the face plate to it (use a flat level surface), drill holes near edge of the chassis and bolt them together, or even better use Hammond handles (it's a little trickier to line the holes) but 'handier' ...

http://www.hammondmfg.com/dwg20.htm

http://www.hammondmfg.com/handl.htm

I've built a couple of 2U chassis this way ... one for PSU, the other not used yet

[Krinor]

Maybe you could use this one from Paia ?

http://www.paia.com/proddetail.asp?prod=FR%2D7&cat=12

[scratch]

you may want to consider getting a rackmount enclosure, and simply swap out the faceplate ... Most vendors seem to offer only steel cases.

but you may want to check out http://www.par-metal.com/ they offer an all aluminum enclosure.

[Timebutt]

I know Banzai Effects sells 19" rack enclosures, check them out: http://www.banzaieffects.com/19-Inch-Rack-Enclosures-c-810.html.
They ship worldwide so that's no problem.

[loss1234]

thanks everyone. i am going to check out all of these options.

i am having the front panel made specially so as i said, its just the rest of the enclosure i am worried about. the paia one is really made more for modular synths and is not really as sturdy as i would like. and its not vented and i need something that can handle having a permanent power supply inside.


how do Professionals go about doing cases? when somebody makes a big compressor, do they just build the cases th emselves? i would think they would order the boxes and make their own faceplates.

[petemoore]

i need something that can handle having a permanent power supply inside.
  You're aware, without the proper precautions..this can be a recipe for noise..

[blueherdim7]

I have had great luck with Lansing enclosures.  I used the A style to build my rack interface.  It's aluminum contruction and with proper grounding, I have no additonal noise from the power for my buffer/splitter or GCX. 

http://www.lansing-enclosures.com/main/graybox/a-style/index.html

Jon

[pjwhite]

I have had great luck with Lansing enclosures.  I used the A style to build my rack interface.  It's aluminum contruction and with proper grounding, I have no additonal noise from the power for my buffer/splitter or GCX. 

http://www.lansing-enclosures.com/main/graybox/a-style/index.html

Jon

I just wanted to chime in about Lansing enclosures.  I use them a lot and think they are great.  Very precisely built, the parts fit together perfectly.