[sdiy] 19" rack mounted & modified Atari Mega STe

[Hallvard Tangeraas]

Hello everybody,
 I've just joined the list, and have several music related DIY projects 
going.

The one I'm working on now is an Atari Mega STe computer which I plan to 
modify and recase (19" rack module) ending up (for me) as the ultimate 
MIDI computer. I run Notator SL on it, which works very well for me.
I hope that this won't be too off-topic for the list, but being music 
and DIY related I thought I'd ask here for some pointers.

I need some help designing some simple MIDI related circuitry for it 
later on, but for now I have the following questions relating to the 19" 
rack enclosure which will house the computer and all the additional 
circuitry which I'll be building and adding to it:

1) the main board is too wide to fit the 19" rack standard, therefore I 
need to mount it sideways, making the enclosure very deep.
Where can I get hold of rack enclosures with a depth of at least 50cm? I 
gather it'll have to be around 55cm give or take.

2) The front and rear panel will have lots of LEDs, connectors, knobs 
and switches. I believe there are companies that laser-cut this sort of 
thing as opposed to trying to drill holes and file away excessive metal, 
*trying* to make it nice myself.
Any experiences with laser cutting? Is it expensive?

3) Any good tips for mounting all the switches, connectors, LEDs and so 
on *without* drilling mounting holes for every PCB?
I will build a lot of small PCBs where one board will carry all the 
video output connectors as well as the mode switch, another board will 
carry the printer output connector with a buffer on the same PCB, yet 
another board will carry all of the MIDI in connectors, and a separate 
board for the MIDI out connectors etc.
They will have to be mounted to the front and rear panels somehow, but 
screw-holes for every board will make the project look very "home made". 
Alternatives to this?

4) To give the whole project a finishing touch I would like to label 
every connector, switch, LED etc. just like professional ready-made rack 
mounted gear. I believe silk-screen printing is what they use, though I 
have no experience with that sort of thing. Anyone who's used a suitable 
method to get white text painted on to the black front and rear panels?


Kind regards,
Hallvard