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TL;DR - It might be a worthwhile project for some, but don't expect to save much $$ with this approach overall. Might be better off buying 6U sets of mantis or rackbrute racks ready-made.
My goal is to be able to grow my setup in a piecemeal way, buying sets of rack ears and rails when I need more space. Also, I'd like to have a modular modular approach where I can move 19" sections around, perhaps between a large case and travel case. I also wanted to try doing something with my hands.
The sides are .5" birch plywood, bottom is .25", some 2x2 for supports I had lying around, and a large piece of dowel for a handle at the top, small dowel for an attempt at dowel joinery. Used minwax red barn stain and spray polyurethane. My amateur work resulted in plenty of blemishes. Rough cost breakdown:
wood from Lowes: $50
square-hole 19" rack rails from penn elcom, 12U for the top and 7U for the bottom: $38.50
cage nuts from Amazon part no. B07H3MNGCH (50pk): $9.50
M6x10 screws (10pk x 3) Amazon part no. B08CN16MYG: $35.37
Total estimate for basic structure: $140
For the ears and rails, I'll estimate a 9u (3x84hp) section at a time, because that is what I think 2A microzeus power can handle comfortably:
From Thomann:
Microzeus: $79
2 x 4ms flying bus bar cables: $26.60
3 x Tiptop Audio Z-Ears Tabletop Silver: $59.70
3 x Tiptop Audio Z-Rails 84HP Silver: $105
Shipping: $30
From Amazon:
15V 4A power supply, Amazon part no. B083LX7CHV: $17
Total estimate for ears, power, eurorack rails for 9U: $300
So, the total for 18Ux84hp (504hp eurorack) will be $140 + 2 x $300 = $740 .. or $1.47 per hp
Thomann price for 2 Mantis cases (208hp ea) with dual bracket: $624 + $100 shipping = $724 or $1.74 per hp
Thomann price for 2 Rackbrute cases (176hp ea): $532 + $60 shipping = $592 or $1.68 per hp
I am a bit fumbly woodworking but if you're good at it, I could see being able to make something really beautiful compared to store bought cases. Also, you might have a unique idea for a setup you can't replicate off-the-shelf. I think I'll experiment some more. You are welcome to listen to my patch sound-doodles on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZUviR5w1VU
Hopefully, some of this information is useful to the community.
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