MOTM

> (3) ObMotm: Does anybody have their MOTM in an "open relay rack" such as
> Newark sells for about $130 -- one of those floor-to-ceiling 45U aluminum
> rectangles?  How does it feel?  Do you worry about the thing tipping
over?
> I have a 20U black Quik Lok frame with the bottom 10U tilted, but it's
> going to fill up sooner or later :)
> peace,
> Chris

Chris, I have my MOTM in a similar rack.  And, I have used the same type
you speak of in the past with LOTs of heavy stuff with no fear of falling
over.  I couple of observations:

On the type you speak of (probably made to be bolted to the floor), I used
a 2x8, cut into three pieces, glued together to make a nice base extending
mostly to the rear since that is where my extra weight was.  The rack was
bolted to this base and it was rock solid.  I sanded and stained the base
and it looked quite nice.

What I hated about that rack was the dust that collected on the back of my
stuff.  No matter how often I change my furnace filters, I still get some
dust in this place.  You don't notice it at first, but after a few months
the tiny accumulation each month begins to show.  Some things (like the
back of MOTM modules) are not that easy to dust off.

The rack I use now is "like that rack" except the side channel is 8" deep. 
And, it has a base that extends to the front and back to prevent tipping. 
What I like about it is that 8" gives plenty of room for MOTM, cables and
such.  Both front and back have standard rack screws.  So, I got some
attractive thin aluminum and closed the back in so that the dust bugs cant
get in.

So, my 2 cents on the subject is not to use one unless either you have a
plan to cover the back, or your house has a lot less that the average amont
of dust.  A nice base will ease your fear of falling.

Larry Hendry