MOTM

> Because the sheet metal "brake" used to bend 11ga steel (as opposed to say
> 0.0.62 al) can't be set
> smaller than 30/45/60/90 "stops".

You may want to look into a different sheet metal shop. The key ingredient
here is
standardization, and how many people will be looking for a slanted style
cabinet,
and at what angle. And of course, how many !$!
Is this the same place that does the MOTM panels?

> >My suggestion for the rack rails would be to use wood, and as Larry
> mentioned , the brass threaded inserts. When >you are constructing the
> cabinet and cutting the face angle of the top lid, your saw angle would
> already be set up, >so you'd just have to rip a piece of wood to the
> appropriate length, about 1 1/2" wide and 1/2" tall ( this should >easily
> clear the top edge of the MOTM PC bracket.) Another option would be to
route
> a 1 1/2" channel along the >inside of the top lid to a depth of 1/4" and
cut
> your wood rails to 3/4" tall. You would then be able to "set " the wood
> >rail into the cabinet top for an even more secure mounting method.
>
> I think a 'channel' in the underside is the strongest way.

It would be one of the better methods for a wood rail.

> The main point I'm trying to make (remember, I'm looking at the *mass
> manufacturing side*, not
> the "Hell, let me at that band saw!" approach) is that the best you can
hold
> wood to is about 0.070", which
> in sheet metal is a 4-lane hiway.

I like the analogy!, And I do agree to a point. Most of the woodworking
equipment
that we have in our basements, garages, or in my case storage! may or may
not not be able to
hold the tolerance that you are looking for. There are too many variables
with wood,
material type, material age, temp., humidity, and skill. (I've cut wood to
exact dimension
only to find that is shrunk 1/4" more or less over time)
However, if you look at the mass manufacturing side, those shops will in all
probability
have CNC machines that can be set up to accomodate the required tolerances,
utilizing well
seasoned wood. You've done all the hard work already. It would be matching
wood to metal
rather than metal to metal.

Another option would be to investigate using plastics for dimensional
stability.
( I want to say one word to you - and one word only - Plastics!  (sorry,
couldnt resist))

> So, what the best solution is I'm guessing is you start at the bottom, the
> when you are ready to drill into the
> top, you just use the panel holes as a drill guide into that top wood
rail.
> Brass inserts are better that wood
> screws, if we can get Larry to hunt them down.

If we go back to the mass production concept , based on the input from all
of the list
members, if we could agree on a face angle of the cabinets, along with a 90
degree of
course, and lengths, You would set the standard for wooden rack rails.
Our cabinets could be designed around that standard.
( Did that sound like bringing the mountain to Mohammed?, or some iteration
thereof?)

> As far as buying the 'normal' rails and turning them sideways, be aware of
2
> things:
>
I call this the famous Mark T  $34.00 mistake! Someday, I'll build a 16
space rack unit for my other gear.

> >A question that I have for Paul and others, is would a rack rail made
from
> wood cause any ground, etc..problems >because the modules do not share a
> common conductive mounting point?
>
> Sure they do! Each module has 2 18ga ground wires that are connected back
at
> the power
> distribution board. This is called a "star ground", and is the absolute
> lowest noise grounding scheme.

Thanks, Paul I always learn something from you all the time!

I just love the MOTM stuff! Although I may not post that often, you can be
assured that I read all messages.
(I still have a my archive dating from 01/02/99.)

Looking at the big picture...
I dont think that there has ever been a synth company that was so receptive
to its users,
Or a synth company that had so many users, across so many locations,  with
such diverse backgrounds
that would allow them to be a part of the development to its success.

We are  GLOBAL!

It's the design concepts by Paul, and this "open mind" between all of us
that will make
the "MOTM " the Modular Synthesizer success story of Y2K.

I am happy to be a part of it all.

Mark T

mmt@...