[sdiy] Reasonably cheap rack mount chasis?

[harrybissell]

Colin Hinz wrote:  <snipp'd>

> No doubt about it -- the Bud box radiates "economy" in its design,
> thickness of material, and finishing. It does do the job adequately
> enough, though I wouldn't use one to double-duty as a rack shelf for
> heavy tube gear.
>

sadly that seems to be the case. Perhaps the bean counters have 'had their
way' with Bud.   Even the NOS (vintage 1983)  Valu-line enclosure I recently
used was certainly NOT up to its price tag (which, fortunately... a deceased
employer paid...)     I have used the "Converta-box" when they were made
with 20ga (iirc) STEEL...  It has survived many years of foot-stomping
(literally)

The new "converta boxes" are now aluminum... I called the factory to see if my
memory served me poorly. They stopped making them from steel, saying the
customers perferred aluminum. But they WOULD make me some subj. to min
orders etc....

I have not tried the Hammond yet. I've been satisfied with all my other Hammond
purchases.

but Sescom.com makes a damn nice box also.  By sliding 4-40 nuts into the slots
in the extrusion rails, you can make a unit with NO external screw holes top and
bottom...  and also remove the top, bottom, or both for a service position.  The
only
'down' side is that you lose a little bit of front panel usage to the
extrusions.  OTOH
you can mount a full size A-B Type J pot   (not THAT type of 'j' you guys :^)...
they
are 1.25" diameter and that's pretty good for a 1U box !!!

H^) harry