DIY rack case?

Sneakypete · #1 03-29-2010, 05:14 PM

I've seen many enquiries here about building speaker cabs - but don't really see the point - to do it well is a lot of work and hardly any cheaper, so maybe when I retire! But what about rack cases? I would like a 4u case and was thinking of using plywood - 18mm for the sides and 12mm for the top, bottom and ends. Thats 3/4" and 1/2" in real money. I have a pretty reasonable home workshop with circular saw, router etc and access to a machine shop with real toolmakers in the day-job. Reasonable quality ones cost £50 and upwards and I bet they come from the far east. I think for that sort of money I could make one exactly to suit my needs. Does anyone have any pointers? Do's and don'ts much appreciated.

rpsands · #2 03-29-2010, 05:18 PM

I don't think you need wood that thick. You could build a frame out of square hardwood dowels, PL premium it together, slap on some 1/8" BB and duratex and probably be pretty safe.

I think that's how I'd roll if I were doing it, but to be fair I have not yet attempted my rack case. I'll be sure to post something if I get around to building a 1u for my F1

EricF · #3 03-29-2010, 05:50 PM

Most well-built commercial rack cases use 3/8" ply. Using 3/4" and 1/2" will make that thing a beast to lift.

M0ses · #4 03-29-2010, 05:53 PM

There was a thread around here a while ago where someone had screwed all his rack gear into a milk crate. It was the perfect width. And it looked SWEET. You know what I'd be doing if I racked...

TheNightLife · #5 03-29-2010, 05:56 PM

i used this company when i built my road case for my svt head and i built a 6 space in it as well it came out really good and saved me some money plus you can get all the hardware and everything from them too if you wanted.

http://www.do-it-yourselfroadcases.com/support.html

bwoodman · #6 03-29-2010, 05:57 PM

Plywood rack cases are really heavy - and a hassel to build - like you mentioned with building a bass cab - won't be any cheaper when you figure out the cost of materials and your time! I'd go with plastic for a small 4U case - SKB, Gator, etc...

TheNightLife · #7 03-29-2010, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwoodman

Plywood rack cases are really heavy - and a hassel to build - like you mentioned with building a bass cab - won't be any cheaper when you figure out the cost of materials and your time! I'd go with plastic for a small 4U case - SKB, Gator, etc...

it cost me 460 in materials to build what i built for my svtcl. it would have cost me 900 for the road case i wanted if i bought it from a company. the plastic ones work fine if your not going to be lugging it all over the country and loading it into a trailer. i used a skb 4 space x-rack for years and it worked great and only cost me 100 bucks lol.

tdvt · #8 03-29-2010, 06:07 PM

Those thicknesses are quite heavy for a rack that will be moved alot. Better quality flight cases utilize the corner edging to join the panels which fit in slots, using thinner material.

Go here, ADAM HALL (which I believe is a UK-based company) & study the products (particularly the extrusions) & it should become apparent how the cases are assembled.

But, it can get pretty expensive pretty fast, so if utility & lower cost are important, your plan would work fine buying only must-have hardware (handles, latches, etc).

bwoodman · #9 03-29-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNightLife

it cost me 460 in materials to build what i built for my svtcl. it would have cost me 900 for the road case i wanted if i bought it from a company. the plastic ones work fine if your not going to be lugging it all over the country and loading it into a trailer. i used a skb 4 space x-rack for years and it worked great and only cost me 100 bucks lol.

Good point - on large cases, you can save some bread, but I still have to look at the time and hassel factor - and how many round trips to the hardware store! I must confess I worked in the case business for almost 20 years (10 years at Anvil) and I know what goes into making a good ATA case. Cutting the male/female valance material and routing for recessed latches will be challenging unless you have the right tools and templates, etc. For touring, I'd be tempted to go ATA plywood cases, but in a 4 space, the plastic might still do the job.

T-Bird · #10 03-29-2010, 10:59 PM

Hi.

Another vote for 7mm/ 1/4" plywood and fittings from Adam Hall.

Since a case is a case manufacturingwise, my roadcase thread:

Making a custom case for Epi LTD Explorer

Regards
Sam

suraj · #11 03-30-2010, 04:03 AM

I built my own 6U shock rack for my Mesa Bass 400..

I can give you details if you want. Its made of double angle aluminium extrusions and 1/4" Plywood. I jumped on it the other day and it barely made a sound. But i think i would prefer 3/8 wood for my next case.

http://s989.photobucket.com/albums/a...0.jpg&newest=1

Just browse through my pics. Its all of the same case.

Hope it helps.
It weighs around 14kg.

Bongolation · #12 03-30-2010, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneakypete

I've seen many enquiries here about building speaker cabs - but don't really see the point - to do it well is a lot of work and hardly any cheaper, so maybe when I retire! But what about rack cases?

I'd put them in the same category, sadly.

To make a good, pro-quality rack case is not going to save you much money over a comparable new unit at long discount and will cost more than a used one in nice shape. I've gotten some very nice deals on used rack cases in perfectly serviceable condition -- for about a fifth what it would have taken me to build them.

What's the point?

I really, really looked into this a while back. To get the hardware and covering I wanted, I would have to source through at least three suppliers from those helpfully shared by others here. After the minimum shipping, minimum order stuff, it was just getting too expensive to make any sense. I wasn't paying myself enough for the hassle, and not only do I know how to do this and have all the tools, I live next door to a pro cabinetmaker in the bargain.

I will probably build a nice stationary isolation speaker cabinet for recording, but that's just because there is nothing I need to buy but a sheet of the heaviest MDF I can find locally and there are no retail alternatives.

meycom · #13 03-30-2010, 04:50 AM

I got a "customized" case from Pearson cases for my SVT-3
and I am really happy with it. Not too expensive at all, even with shipping.

http://www.pearsoncases.com/

Jeff

i_got_a_mohawk · #14 03-30-2010, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sneakypete

I've seen many enquiries here about building speaker cabs - but don't really see the point - to do it well is a lot of work and hardly any cheaper, so maybe when I retire!

A lot of the people who want to build speaker cabinets on here are buiding ones which have no commercial equivilant.

will33 · #15 03-30-2010, 08:33 AM

Rackcase is a pretty simple box build. Source the hardware somewhere, make it the right width and however deep you want. Thin material is fine for most of it, I'd beef it up around the handles and where the rails mount. Maybe a re-enforcement strip around the inside of the seams if it's going to have heavy stuff in it or get knocked around a lot.

i_got_a_mohawk · #16 03-30-2010, 08:42 AM

Also, OP, seeing you are in the UK.

You might want to see if you can buy from the Adam Hall website, if not, you can buy most of the hardware from here:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/index.html

Sneakypete · #17 03-30-2010, 10:29 AM

Thanks everyone plenty of options to choose from here - part of the reason isn't just tight-fistedness (oh alright it is) but a little bit of woodwork therapy and hopefully some job satisfaction.

Caca de Kick · #18 03-30-2010, 11:00 AM

In '96 I made a 16 space rack cabinet to match my Mesa Boogie speaker cabs. It housed two Boogie heads, wireless and other stuff I was using then. I covered it in black vinyl, same interlocking corner caps, and had flight case twist latches holding on the lids, casters etc. The thing weighed a ton, but on casters it was just like rolling my cabs around. It was very easy to build, and I think cost me $250 back then.
Wish I still had it, but when I moved out of town in '98 my dad donated it to his church.

Mo'Phat · #19 03-30-2010, 12:01 PM

I built a custom 5 spacer. Check the link in my signature.

Bongolation · #20 04-03-2010, 07:00 AM

Let's kind of clarify this:

If you're a process-oriented personality who just likes building stuff for its own sake, then this is sort of a different question.

You can also build something that functions as a rack relatively easily and cheaply.

Can you build a conventional touring-grade pro style rack

for what you can get a new one for on long sale or in excellent shape used?

No, not unless you're sort of geared up and sourced to do a lot (or at least several) of 'em. It's amazing how costs escalate.

I think that's what the OP was getting at.