racks.. – 4260 days old

[DragonAce]

hey guys..
looking for a racking system to take possession of all my rigs..
ya know, the kind where each rig still has it's own case, but it's built horizontally (kinda) and then they're all stacked into the rack..
then they run into a switch so you only need 1 monitor/keyboard/mouse..
gotta be either US or Canadian company...(i'm having a real biatch of a time finding anything..)...
just gettin' a wee bit tired of having systems all over the place...
and this way too i can get it all plugged into 1 ups as well, as i'll be using 4 less monitors etc...
guess a speaker switch would come in handy as well...

tia guys..DA

[Mad dog]

I've never heard of a rach system designed for generic PC cases, only for purpose built racks. What you could do is build one or jsut buy a shelf. I'm sure you could get a switch box with D-SUB, PS/2 and midi jack from a computer fair or some big PC store. If you took your time it could look real profesional.

[ImaginAsian]

Here are some links to Stores which sell Racks and KVM Switches:

http://www.gorilla.net/

http://www.rackrelease.com/

http://www.icsadvent.com/products/index.cfm

http://www.rackmaster.com/

DA, perhaps you can buy the rack itself and install shelves and simply put the PC cases on seperate levels? That's what my company does at work for a makeshift Rack system.

[DragonAce]

Mad Dog..
i can burp a hole into a case just dandy..but when i comes to designing and building things to get them shweet looking?? well that just ain't me..
i'm the brains behind the scene kinda guy..

IA...thought about that, but i've got 3 different case styles and i'd kinda prefer that "welcome to the tech zone" kinda look..
this way i can place it just about anywhere and it'll look like it belongs there..
thanx for the links..ics and rackmaster are exactly what i'm looking for!!!
(gorilla took to long to load up )

appreciate the input guys!!..L8R..M

[Rando]

If your looking for that "tech zone" look, I'd recommend building integrated shelving into your existing walls, just dry it in and paint it, a corner spot would be nice, but a spaced wall would work too, not open shelving, but you can take 1/4' plywood and round it to the shape of your machines. Damn, jus slapeth thee if I'm way off, jus sounds like what you's looking fo'

[DragonAce]

thanx Rando..
you want me to build something outta wood??
i could pull out and re-build your tranny, but i couldn't make you a tooth pick..

the thing i like about the rack idea too is that all of the new cases will be the same size and they'll be on sliders so i can get to the guts easy..

thanx for the idea though..it'd be sweet for a home theater..

[DragonAce]

ya baby!!!

found me a dealer north of Toronto that'll sell me a 4U less psu for $220 Canadian..x4 that'll be a wicked savings!!

it's a great price too, most of the quotes i was getting out of the states was $500+ in US dollars...

gonna have me a nice rack in about a month!!!!!


YAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

[ImaginAsian]

Hey Kewl DA!!!

Ya gots some pictures of the rack?? Me wanna see

[lurch63]

yeah i wanna see too, i have 3 pcs down in my labyrinth, sort of have the whole matrix feel to it, and with my tv tuner on the way, all 3 computers, via the network, stereo wired to every sound card through splittlers and vcr and psone, all coming together, but i could really go for a rack if it looks good and have a place for it, behind everything is a speghetti of wires, pics plz, pics plz, lurch

[DragonAce]

this is just the case per each rig..
and even then it's not the best pic..
it has 3 open 5.25's and an open 3.5

[catcorpse]

http://electroseller.com/Merchant2/m...egory_Code=040

try this DA, this is cheaper in the states, but I don't know what the rate over there is. I could make a trip to canada and ship them for you

[DragonAce]

damn..good eye Cat..
but with the exchange and then shipping (even within Canada) we'd be talking the same spendies..

thanx tho..if these others look like crap i'll have another look at them for sure..

thanx again..

[catcorpse]

well I tried I need to get a setup to get the mass of computer cases off the ground/table/ on the cat. My wife don't care where, but wants some orginization. The sad thing is that I know where everyting is, until I orginize.

[DragonAce]

i ditto that...that's why i wanna go to the rack system...
i just might be able to find the office floor again..
and if i build them into a cabinet, no more cat's trying to lick at the fans anymore..

i do appreciate the efforts pal!!!

[ImaginAsian]

Sweet DA!

Those sort of look like the IBM Netfinity Servers we had at my workplace. Can't wait to see your whole phat rack once your are done!

You gonna buy black parts for it or just cover it up with the hinge?

Here's another source:

http://www.kdcomputers.com/exec/productProfile?id=463

[DragonAce]

IA..probably just use the hinged door for now..
strike just ended so it'll still be tight for a while..
maybe i'll pull off all of the faces and do them up in black, then get crests made up so i can remember which system is which..

thanx for the other link!!

[ImaginAsian]

DA i thought of you when I saw this

http://www.ocmojo.com/guides/rack_ca...nt_cabinet.asp

[DragonAce]

thanx IA..

looks like the rack setup will have to be postponed for a short..
i have to find me a new set of wheels since the accident, and i'm sure you all know how insurance companies can be when it comes down to handing out "their" hard earned money..

but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel..
and that'll save me a few $$'s making my own rack case so..

thanx again IA..

[geerhed]

DA what ya gonna do with all the old cases. me thinks i'd be interested in purchasing or better yet taking some or all of them off you hands. i'll even help ya pick up you new racks, hell i'll even drive

[DragonAce]

geerhed..no problem!!
i'll might be able to throw ya one of my towers if ya like..but for sure you can have my 2 short 'n wides..(that's CASES i'm talkin' about!!!)

timing tho is as yet unknown..
the accident has left me with many questions yet unanswered..
but if you don't mind waiting for a bit..

[geerhed]

no problem. no rush.
i have something to do in the meantime

[floppybootstomp]

Wot accident? Dang, I'm sorry to hear about that. Were you on 4 wheels or two? You total the vehicle? You OK? I'd assume you're alright if you're at home posting here.

Bad news man, but I'm glad to see the strike's over, although I suppose that comes with mixed blessings...

Good luck with the rack build, it's looking sweet

[DragonAce]

fbs..

i be fine..thanx for asking
my car got t-boned on monday..
car is a write-off since they had to cut off the door with a really "cool" set of scissors....(mmm..overclockers version of tin snips )
all i got out of it was a pair of busted ribs so..a little stiff and all, but managing okay for a single guy..

mixed blessings is right!! the first thing i thought after "ah shyt, me firkin ribs!" was "hmmmm..wonder how i'm gonna get to work tomorrow??"
it was supposed to be our first day back after walking the line for 6 months..
i ended up calling a cab tuesday morning, and went to see the company doc who sent me home for 2 more weeks...

and thanx for the well wishes toward the rack

[ImaginAsian]

I just read this thread again and I read about DA's accident! Hope you gonna be ok Bro. Are you going to the chiropractor or doctor?

I got into one about a month ago as well...the nutsack cut in front of me and i veered off to avoid him. My front and right driver axle was crapped. Worse thing was...the FUCKER took off!!!

Oh well...karma is a bitch, the drive will get some back later


Can't wait ta see your Rack System!!

[BitBender]

KEWL rack, DA!!


Me want!!...Me WANT!!

[DragonAce]

IA..things are a little tender, but ya, i'll be okay..thanx..
the guy you encountered will get his due!!!

Bits..what i like about the idea is that all of the systems will be in one place taking up just a little more space "floor ways" that a wide tower case..
vertically it'll be about 6 or 8 feet tall, but shyt it should look sweet when it's done!!

so, how many cases should i pick up??
i need 5 and you'll want??
actually, for you American folks..the link that Cat gave would be a great resource..

IA found me a good write up on "how to make your own rack" (link above) so that should save me some $$$'s..