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Can one buy/make rack ears for a consumer tape deck

HooBass

HooBass

May 27, 2003
276
69
NC
#1
I've got an old Sony tape deck that (I think) is about the width of my rack, and that's where I'd like to put it. However, since it's a plain old consumer audio unit, it doesn't have rack ears.

Does anyone know if one can buy a "generic" kit to add rack ears, or does anyone have experience making ears to mount such a deck (and can suggest the materials, source, etc.).

Talk soon,
HooBass
 
#2
You could, provided the ears can be screwed into the chassis securely. Given most consumer gear has a plastic chassis, it might not be ideal though.

The other option is to get what I call rack rails. These are angled steel pieces that screw into the rack, then the equipment is supported at the edges only, sitting on top of the rails. Or, a tray, same concept but it's a full tray rather than just a narrow rail on each side. I've done this before, and you can remove the feet, drill holes in the rack tray and screw the device onto the tray through the existing screw holes so it is secure.

examples of these can be found on this page. The rack rails I'm thinking of look kind of like what they call "rack tray ears" but with wider horizontal sections, sufficiently wide to support equipment at the edges without the need for a full width tray.
 
#4
I'd go with a shelf - they're pricey ($20) for what they are but work well.

I'd also recommend vecro pads for attatching the deck to the shelf - the sticky ones. Half a dozen or so will hold moderatly heavy stuff from all but the worst shaking.

Ian
 
#5
I guess it would be possible to make rack ears for a consumer tape deck (what kind of tape btw? reel to reel, cassette?). You could get some angled aluminum and drill holes. I do have some consumer Sony VCR's that have rack ears. So it's not entirely out of the question that they exist. Depending on how old the device is, finding them would really be the trick.

I agree with those above, a shelf is most likely your best option.
 
#8
A rack shelf is your best solution. Since most comsumer level electronics were not designed to be rack mounted they do not have side or front panels that will support the weight & drilling into the case to mount screws might run into something you might not want to contact.
 

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