MOTM

> From: Nathan Hunsicker <nate@...>
> To: motm@egroups.com
> Do you think Paul would ever consider making such
> a panel? It could probably be made from a single 
> piece of 1/8" aluminum (8.75"x19.25") with a 7"x17.5"
> opening cut and bent back 90 degrees to form a simple
> support for the rackmount stuff.

No, I doubt Paul ever would.  Yes, you are grasping the concept as I had
imagined.  I had not thought about the bending back though.  I thing it
would be cheaper not to do this.  You have uncovered the two main issues:
1 Strength
2 Flushness of panels.

I have not thought about it enough to have a full plan yet, but I think I
would make it from pieces instead of a big sheet.  I only say that because
I envisioned the actual rack rails being recessed even with the mounting
rails so that the rack faces were flush with the MOTM panel faces AND with
the trip at the top and bottom.  But, you have the concept and you can
develop it to sit your own needs.

Larry

P.S.  Yes, you are dreaming, but DON'T stop.  :)

Nate, I just had another idea when I was looking at your PDF file.  How
about if you do not actually center the 4 spaces from top to bottom.  You
have 8.75" of height (1/2 inch un-usable at top and bottom) and only need
7" of rack space. 8.75 - 7.0 = 1.75 (the fifth rack space). If you leave
only the required 1/2 inch at the top, you have 1.25 left at the bottom. 
That leaves .75 usable, which is just enough room for one row of MOTM 1/4"
jacks across the bottom to break out all your stuff from the back.  Of
course, it would be easier if you had on 3 rack units so it would not be so
tight.  But, I know 3/4" will work OK.  That is the exact inside dimension
of "Larry's magic buss" TM.  However, since the jacks would be offset from
center in the lower metal, it might not look that good.

Food for thought
Larry H.

> From: Nathan Hunsicker <nate@...>
> It could probably be made from a single piece of 1/8"
> aluminum (8.75"x19.25") with a 7"x17.5" opening cut
> and bent back 90 degrees to form a simple support for
> the rackmount stuff.