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Subject: Re: [motm] Flat Rails..

From: "J. Larry Hendry" <jlarryh@...>
Date: 2001-07-23

----- Original Message -----
> From: <revtor@...>
> so for these flat rails, are you guys going to mark
> your modules mounting hole patterns on the wood,
> and then drill/rout out the wood from behind the rails
> where the screws will be sticking through the rail,

You could do that if you wanted to use the same screws.

> or will we (hopefully) be able to get along with shorty 1/4
> inch long mounting screws,

Yes. I got a big-old-bag of 1/4" shorty screws from Paul. The short 1/4
inch screws are not included with the rails but will be an option. The
reason is basically price. If you are buying ony 100-200, You are just as
well getting them from me. If you are going to buy several hundred, you are
better off getting the 1000 rate price and buying them yourself. I will
supply the exact part number at Aarons Screws for those that wish to buy
their own. I will supply them for those that need me to (overseas and those
buying smaller quantities).

> with maybe a washer behind each of the
> countersunk holes as a spacer??

Better to mount the rails directly flat to the wood. No spacer needed.

>I am assuming that when you mount your modules to the
> rails, the tops of the modules are flush with the rail, right?

Right

> Just a few case layout questions!!
> I pictured them as having an "L" cross section..
> I Guess they wouldn't be "flat? rails then, eh?

Wrong then right. 100% FLAT. Did you see the photos?
If not, look here
http://www.wiseguysynth.com/larry/flatrail/flatrail.htm

These are not painted yet. they got to the black powder paint
guy on Tuesday.

> larry, the time and effort you and your wife are going
> through for the MOTM community by screwing in 6000
> screws is crazy!!! Holy cow! thank you!!!!
> and your 822/83? modules too! yikes!

I guarantee you the effort I put in to this is VERY SMALL in comparison to
what our mentor Paul puts into it. For him it is a business. For me, it is
just fun. Yes, I will make a little money on the flat rails. But, the
hourly rate sucks. :) BTW, a portion of the purchase price of every flat
rail goes back to support MOTM R & D at the Texas headquarters. :)

The 822 and 831 thing was an accident. I just wanted to make a couple of
modules for myself. Ken Tkacs kept beating me about the head to make it
better. Once I got it built, I simply shared my design (simple as it is) in
the true spirit of DIY for anyone else that want to build one. I had NO
IDEA that I would be selling PCBs, brackets, switches, and such. It just
happened. I am not actually qualified to design anything electronic. I do
take some pride in the exactness of the mechanical design of my bracket.
Any of you guys that have fitted a rotary switch to one should realize how
perfectly they fit and how close the tolerance had to be.

4000 of the 6000 screws have already been installed. The benefit of doing
it this way is checking each threaded hole for fit. So, when you get them,
you know the quality inspection is complete. So far, I have only rejected 1
out of 400 rails (one hole too big). I have had to "clean up" a handful of
holes with my tap set. The metal shop did a really nice job on these.

Larry H