MOTM

I finally got one of my final cases filled with MOTM modules.  There is a 
preliminary picture at the following url:

http://members.aol.com/elhardt/images/case3.jpg

Module separaters:

(1)  I finally ended up using 3/32" width tape made by Carl Goldberg Models, 
Inc.  They have different widths but 3/32" is perfect.  It is normally used 
for gliders and remote control airplanes and is a kind of rubbery and 
stretchy compared to that charting tape found in office supply stores.

(2)  For those of you who are still thinking of using Plastruct, I finally 
found the H-beams that match the size of the wooden ones I bought, 3/16".  
They were in white in this store as opposed to dark grey like in the other 
store.  The problem is that channels are tapered, so they can't be pressed 
all of the way down on the module edge, thus pushing the modules even further 
apart than the "bass wood" beams I had previously bought.  Perhaps this is 
not important to those with wooden rails anyway, but it just means that any 
rows of modules that contain different numbers of 1U modules from each other 
with get skewed with the other rows to a more exaggerated extreme (the reason 
I dropped the wood or plastic spacer idea in the first place).  Perhaps 
grinding out the channels with a Dremel would help. Going to the next bigger 
Plastruct size will probably be too loose.

-Elhardt

> I finally got one of my final cases filled with MOTM modules.  There is a
> preliminary picture at the following url:

that's f-in beautiful!!!!!! nice job!

bleep.
out.

In a message dated 2/25/2001 2:00:28 PM, elhardt@... writes:

>I finally got one of my final cases filled with MOTM modules.  There is
>a 
>preliminary picture at the following url:
>
>http://members.aol.com/elhardt/images/case3.jpg

Very nice job! You've got me rethinking the Tolex issue again. Did you find 
it much more difficult than using a finish?

And as Larry implied, the case is full! You already need another case! What 
now?
JB

Larry Hendry writes:
>>Trouble is, I think you will need 2 or 3.<<

Tentochi writes:
>>If you make a second cabinent, will it have a separate PSU?<<

jwbarlow@... writes:
>>...the case is full! You already need another case! What now?<<

Thanks for the compliments everyone, but People !!!!  Did nobody go to my 
case construction picture group I posted a couple of weeks ago?  If I want a 
second case I just go out to the garage and finish covering the second one in 
vinyl and I'm ready to go.  I can't fit all my current modules in just this 
one case anyway.  URL of TWO cases being built:

http://members.aol.com/elhardt/images/construction2.jpg

>>It looks like it might need some ventilation though.  Louvered vents on the
bottom sides and one in the top so the convection currents will pull it
through?<<

Nobody else's cases need vents, so mine shouldn't.  Modulars don't get very 
hot anyway.

>>Can we see a pic of the rear?  What kind of cover is on the back?<<

I was going to take more pictures when I get my second case finished.  I will 
take one with the back on and off so you can see how I mounted the PSU and 
the additional connector distribution board.  I'm using masonite board for 
the back.  It has holes and slots in it so it slips on over some screws and 
then slides down and locks into place.  Now that I finally found some 
thinner, lighter weight board, in the future I may use velcro to hold the 
back on.

>>PSU placement?<<

If looked at from the back, it is in the lower lefthand corner.  If I made my 
case without the angled bottom then I would have to put short modules like 
800's or the 940 in the lower right corner because of the depth of the case.  
However, with the angled bottom I get extra room and that is no longer an 
issue.

>>If you make a second cabinent, will it have a separate PSU?<<

Yes.  Two cases of modules exceed the power supply rating.

>>Did you use wooden rails?<<

Yes.  That can be seen in my construction photos.  URL above.

>>What coating did you finally use for the case?<<

Also shown in construction photos.  It is vinyl covering from Penn 
Fabrication.  It's just their version of Tolex guitar amp covering.

>>Have you done a cover for the front?<<

No, since I don't plan on traveling any further than upstairs and downstairs 
with them.

>>If I build a custom case, I will definitely use your design!!!<<

Glad to here it.  Too bad I don't have plans for them.  I just improvise the 
case as I build it.

>>Your photo proves yet again that module separators are absolutely crucial.<<

Exactly.  MOTM modules all look the same, with the same grid aligned knobs 
and jack placement. They tend to all just run together. It also helps me pick 
out 1U 800 EGs right away.  My eye doesn't clump 1U modules together so they 
look like one big 2U module.

>>How easy did you find it to precisely place the tape where you wanted it?<<

It wasn't too hard.  I'd stretch it out straight, lay it on the module, push 
the ends down and lightly touch the center portions of the tape until I was 
sure it wouldn't slide around.  Then I would firmly push it down.  I used an 
X-acto knife to slice the tape off across the top and bottom of the modules.

>>Also, my ends were handled more, and tended to lose their stickiness and 
pull loose. Did yours retain its adhesive after being handled?<<

I also tried just for fun some gold graphic art tape made by Headline.  It 
didn't stick nearly as well as the Carl Goldberg tape I ended up using.  This 
stuff seems to stick very well.  It's also softer tape that deforms to the 
textured surface better.  It doesn't seem like it is going to come off unless 
it gets hard and brittle with age.

>>Very nice job! You've got me rethinking the Tolex issue again. Did you find 
it much more difficult than using a finish?<<

I've never done a stained wood case, so I can't really compare.  I probably 
mentioned in the past that vinyl really isn't all too difficult, just kind of 
messy and a little tedious in some places.  The nice thing about it is that 
it covers up any flaws in the wood, nails, glue, etc.  You get a nice clean 
look when done.  And you get a nice black, evil and technical looking piece 
of equipment.  Not like those people who are going for that 1950's wood look.

-Elhardt