I'm planning an install in a compact area - the only place to have the media panel & electronics is the back of a closet, so I'm looking for an A/V rack that can be bolted down, but will swivel so that the rear of the gear is accessible.

Something like Middle Atlantic's SRSR slide-out/rotating rack seemed like it might work...
[Link: middleatlantic.com]
...but it looks like this is specifically meant to be installed in a cabinet system, may not have enough rack space, and is fairly expensive.

It doesn't have to be a rack .... something like a 36-44" high rotating stand w/shelves could work (as long as it can be bolted down).

Wondering if anyone can offer alternative suggestions that may fit the bill?

What is your idea of expensive? The Middle Atlantic stuff is fairly reasonable. It can be mounted in the closet as you describe. Might take a little bit of millwork depending on how you want the finished product to look.

Exactly my question "What is expensive?" Here is a better one what is your goal for the rack? What weight capacity does it need to support? How many shelfs or rack spaces? There are plenty of these type products out there for you to use but I would be careful. While all "will" rotate, how well do they when weight is involved I have used other brands before and some of them just dont cut it in practical use!

If you do use the midlantic rack in a closet don't make the same mistake I made! That is: We used a rack that filled the entire closet floor to top of closet opening. As part of the quote we allowed for the customer to pay for the service tracks which would be left at his home for any future servivcing. The tracks allow the tech to slide the rack out of the closet very easily and work on the system. But IN ORDER FOR THE TRACKS TO WORK CORRECTLY THE MIDLANTIC RACK MUST BE ATLEAST 3.75" - 4" ABOVE THE FLOOR THAT IS IN FRONT OF THE CLOSET! our install had the floor inside the closet & outside the closet at the same level. So the tracks don't work!What a pain in the A to work on it now!

Hey Netarc, what do the DIYs at AVS recommend?

You know, you do not need to have the rack swivel if you get the AXS rack and the 48" service rails. All you need is the depth of the rack and add 4- 5". And it does not need to be in millwork. Just finished a job where we spec'd it in at the last minute. Builder just had the framers come in build a diamond shaped frame in the back corner of the theater and the sheetrockers came in and rocked it. Customer thinks it is stylin....... As far as the rack in the closet, as crazy as it sounds, convert it to a freestanding rack on caster wheels. Still has same functionality and gets rid of the space at the bottom. I made the same mistake on my first AXS system, would have helped if I would have called MA BEFORE I ordered it... Lesson hard learned, but I sold the original rack within a week to another customer, so it was not a total loss.

i say pony up the monsy on the middle atlantic rack. dont be cheap

DITTO!!!!

You think they are expensive up front? Figure your cost of labor when installing the gear. I guarrantee you can set the gear faster and better in a rack. When all things considered, IE time, cables, labor, MA racks are cheap. I inform my customers that the labor bill will be higher without a rack. T

http://www.avrak.com/ work great for us

I usually install a MA Slim5 rack with casters in a tight closet. The sides are open but will not be seen in a tight closet and only shows when you roll it out. Bring the cables though the ceiling or high in the rear wall and leave plently of slack (20+ feet). You can then bring the entire bundle of cables in at the top of the rack while it is rolled out. That way when you roll it back, the bundle never reaches the floor and cannot get caught under the casters. This is very economical and is a dream for servicing. The front of a trimed out rack looks killer also.

Love the Middle Atlantic WRK,ERK,MRK depending on the job. Super heavy duty, no flex @ all and no track and track riser system involved (or that you have to buy), it sits on the floor, removable baseboard trim in the room is a option to roll it into a room if it needs to be trimmed out. If not and in a unfinished space or closet leav it as is.

Looking again at MA's site, the SLIM 50-3/4" (29 Space) would be the perfect size; it'd definitely be a good fit while remaining an affordable option; my big concern, though, is stability. I was really hoping for something that could be bolted to the floor (yet still swivel).

Thanks for the AVRak suggestion; their AVStand option pretty much fits the bill - but their stuff is exhorbitantly expensive, yoinkz!!
[Link: avrak.com]

What about stability? How stable is a fully loaded Slim5 rack on casters?

You guys are right ... the price of their standalone racks is quite reasonable; I had originally considered the slide-out/swivel racks when I was spec'ing the job, but have since realized that this would be overkill for this site.

Still, I keep thinking the swivel/bolt-down option would suit best; the MA rack on casters option that other folks have suggested, though, is a great idea ... just concerned about potential stability issus.