Very nice, and I like the idea of using a local auto paint shop.
One idea, if you just want to make the one-off bespoke panel, but still support anything bigger than a RasPi cantilevered out the back of it, is to combine your custom panel with an off-the-shelf (ha) rackmount shelf.
You can get shelves that are fairly thin but sturdy sheet steel, that have a lip and clearance below (such as for room for zip ties or non-flush screws from the bottom. And you can also get ones that are flush with the bottom of the unit, and use adhesive (including Velcro pads) to mount the components on top.
If you want an easy way to make a front panel that doesn't look as good as the one in the article, you can get a rackmount gap filler panel, which will probably be thinner steel sheet metal then the aluminum one, and drill/Dremel/lasercut? whatever holes you need in it.
Another option is starting with a rackmount drawer, such as those by some DJs/musicians in road cases. It's a rackmount front panel, plus an all-sides enclosure rest of it. Which you can unlock and slide out. to access the internal components, without unracking. You can drill/cut air holes. Cabling to the rear will vary depending on the design.
I have a 2u drawer that could accept a face panel. It would actually be super useful to be able to access the equipment behind without taking the rack off the wall.
I feel like I witnessed history because I happened to read the original reddit thread as it was happening. I can't find it now, might have been lost with imgur changes.
Same here! As I recall it, I saw the photo and thought, that banana looks suspiciously fresh. Then they followed up with the utterly brilliant "banana for scale", which became an instant legend. Because, of course, no one would lie on the Internet! :)
It was a golden (banana) age of Reddit, and a more innocent time. The karma gaming, and other gaming and tall-tales, that started very early on Reddit, turned into something less-lighthearted later, on Reddit and other social media. But for a time, it was innocent fun to read.
I discovered it when I was preparing materials for waterjet cutting, and I was astounded at the quality of the software and its huge range of features.
It's multi-platform, and very attractively priced.
Very nice, and I like the idea of using a local auto paint shop.
One idea, if you just want to make the one-off bespoke panel, but still support anything bigger than a RasPi cantilevered out the back of it, is to combine your custom panel with an off-the-shelf (ha) rackmount shelf.
You can get shelves that are fairly thin but sturdy sheet steel, that have a lip and clearance below (such as for room for zip ties or non-flush screws from the bottom. And you can also get ones that are flush with the bottom of the unit, and use adhesive (including Velcro pads) to mount the components on top.
If you want an easy way to make a front panel that doesn't look as good as the one in the article, you can get a rackmount gap filler panel, which will probably be thinner steel sheet metal then the aluminum one, and drill/Dremel/lasercut? whatever holes you need in it.
Another option is starting with a rackmount drawer, such as those by some DJs/musicians in road cases. It's a rackmount front panel, plus an all-sides enclosure rest of it. Which you can unlock and slide out. to access the internal components, without unracking. You can drill/cut air holes. Cabling to the rear will vary depending on the design.
Good ideas, thanks!
I have a 2u drawer that could accept a face panel. It would actually be super useful to be able to access the equipment behind without taking the rack off the wall.
Recently I was introduced to 10" racks, which to me, seem absolutely perfect for home use. Sadly very few manufacturers have adopted the 10" standard.
A lot of home / small business networking gear would fit perfectly into a 10" rack, but you'd have to mount most of it on shelves.
Nowadays there are 3D print files for a lot of devices.
If I didn't know before there is such a thing as a standard internet reference object for scale, I do know it now :)
I feel like I witnessed history because I happened to read the original reddit thread as it was happening. I can't find it now, might have been lost with imgur changes.
Some details here: https://www.howtobeadad.com/2012/11903/banana-added-for-scal...
Same here! As I recall it, I saw the photo and thought, that banana looks suspiciously fresh. Then they followed up with the utterly brilliant "banana for scale", which became an instant legend. Because, of course, no one would lie on the Internet! :)
It was a golden (banana) age of Reddit, and a more innocent time. The karma gaming, and other gaming and tall-tales, that started very early on Reddit, turned into something less-lighthearted later, on Reddit and other social media. But for a time, it was innocent fun to read.
A New, More Forgiving Unit of Measure
Very user-friendly, commendable!
I recently stripped a washing machine. Found that the frame could be ideal for rack mounting stuff. It's a bit more than 19"
For 2D design, I highly recommend QCAD (https://qcad.org/en/)
I discovered it when I was preparing materials for waterjet cutting, and I was astounded at the quality of the software and its huge range of features.
It's multi-platform, and very attractively priced.