15U rack unit 7 or 9 mm?

KimGT99 · #1 11-30-2011, 09:54 AM

Hi there.

I'm looking forward in buying an 15U rack unit. Now, I'm stuck in choosing 7 or 9 mm thick walls.

Here's what's going in there:
Ampeg SVT2 (4U)
RG 16 (1)
Tuner (1)
Power supply (1)
Drawer with pedals (3)
Wireless (2)
Drawer (for stuff) (2)

Any recommandation?

Thx.

KimGT99 · #2 12-02-2011, 09:30 AM

C'mon. A little help would be nice. So many users and I'm the only one who wants his stuff in a rack?

icks · #3 12-02-2011, 03:12 PM

9mm
More reliable and your rack stuffed will be so heavy that 2mm won't change anything.

lowfreq33 · #4 12-02-2011, 03:22 PM

AnchorHoy · #5 12-02-2011, 03:25 PM

Ummmm.......

To the best of my knowledge, the width of all standard rack gear is fixed at the standard dimension of 19" (~ 48cm), therefore the wall thickness of the rack case holding it is essentially irrelevant in terms of what will fit inside

Now, reading between the lines of your question I assume that you're talking about the most common type of rack cases, which are made largely from plywood. In that case the choice becomes one of weight vs. protection.

Given otherwise identical specs, a case made from 9mm plywood (slightly less than 3/8" thick) is definitely going to be heavier than 7mm (slightly more than 1/4"). Whether or not the increase in weight is worth the increase in protection IMHO is rather doubtful. I'd be more worried about shock loads on the gear inside, which can only be minimized by some sort of shock-mount suspension system

Here's one type that is pretty popular - rubber 'spring' mount

Here is the other popular type - foam rubber sheet

KimGT99 · #6 12-03-2011, 10:42 AM

@AnchorHoy
I own a 6U shockmount rack (plywood, rubber spring mount). This one will become even bigger and heavier than the one I hope to buy.
90% of the time it will be handled by myself or and bandmates/bandstaff, so that I hope everyone will take good care, as I do myself.
Thx so far.

T-Bird · #7 12-03-2011, 10:06 PM

Hi.

7mm for light duty like Yours.

The only thing You'll gain in that application with 9mm is weight.

We are talking about pro ATA style racks, right?

Not some Millenium crap?

Regards
Sam

KimGT99 · #8 12-04-2011, 12:44 PM

No, I'm talking about Thon racks from Thomann. Here's the link:
THON RACK 15U LIVE 45 WHEELS - Thomann UK Cyberstore

T-Bird · #9 12-04-2011, 09:08 PM

Hi.

, only marginally better IMHO. But then again, I tend to roll my own

.

What catches my eye first are the lack of rear rails, and lack of internal support (or casemaker edges) on the internal corners.

I also very much dislike the "fully adjustable" cheapo rails. PITA in the long run, and depending of the design, hard or impossible to upgrade easily. The bolted on equipment is the means to keep the box square afterall.

The price is tempting, but for a little bit more dough You should be able to have one made. Using high quality hardware.

OTOH, that's better than nothing, that's for sure though.

Regards
Sam

KimGT99 · #10 12-06-2011, 02:09 AM

@T-bird
Ok...
Yeah, lack of rear rails isn't that nice, the drawers for sure would be better with one.
But the fully adjustable "cheapo rails

" did a very good job in my previous shock mount rack. I like the fact to be able to fix a unit really there where I want it too. Although my previous one was only 6U. Do you think this will cause trouble at 15U?

I see that you're located in Europe too. Any good casemaker there?

I already appreciate your help.

anderbass · #11 12-06-2011, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimGT99

No, I'm talking about Thon racks from Thomann. Here's the link:
THON RACK 15U LIVE 45 WHEELS - Thomann UK Cyberstore

If that's the brand you want, I'd order the 9mm. model.
Because your SVT2 pro is so heavy, I'd instal it on the very bottom and make sure its weight is being supported by the cases floor, not just hanging from the rack ears.

KimGT99 · #12 12-06-2011, 01:35 PM

No, I'm not depending on a brand. I just hope to buy something that doesn't collapse in a couple of months. Of course, I'm not looking forward to a bank robbery: price is just a second aspect, but anyway, here's another one, unfortunately 1 pic only...

Gäng-Case - 19"Prof. DD 16HE w.Roll.Board 100mm black 9,5mm Wood, 45cm : Bags, cases & racks

It has front & rear rails but I don't know yet if it are the fully adjustable ones.

T-Bird · #13 12-06-2011, 07:10 PM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KimGT99

I see that you're located in Europe too. Any good casemaker there?

There's quite a few small manufacturers here in Finland, and I'd imagine that the same goes for every country. They usually have their hands full, without advertizing, so locating 'em can be a bit hard. A musician site on Your area, or some local "mom & pops" music store would be the place I'd start looking.

As I said, I tend to roll my own, and perhaps it's the DIY-holic in me talking, but I always urge people to make their own if it's even remotely possible. For the price You pay for a low-grade rack like the ones on your links, you can easily buy the materials for two racks of the same size. IME anyway.

A few weeks back I made a bit smaller rack and it took about a day to make it with all the planning. The size has only a marginal impact on the price, and it takes roughly the same amount of time as well, regardless of the size.

Regards
Sam