Check out the Middle Atlantic ASR racks. They are fully self contained, meaning they do not need service tracks and can be bolted to the floor or shelf.

[Link: middleatlantic.com]

As long as you keep the heavy items on the bottom there should not be any stability issues. I would not use one that is like 8 feet tall, but if you need to rack that much equipemnt, you should have the budget for a higher end MA rack!

The tallest one is only 60 inches (5 feet) and suprisingly stable.

I had thought about doing this same thing in an install I recently did. My idea was to have a cabinet maker build a rack to my specs along with a separate base. Then I'd go to ACE Hardware and get one of these [Link: acehardware.com]

and have the cabinet guy install it between the rack and the base. It supports up to 1,000 lbs and is only $13.50. If I needed to lock it in place I could always drill a hole near a corner through the rack into the base and drop a nail in it to prevent it from spinning. You could even spin it and drill another hole to lock it in place with the back visible if need be.

I don't know; approx $1,000 for a 42" Middle Atlantic ASR rack doesn't seem real cost effective to me but I guess I'm a cheap SOB.

When you get the bid from the cabinet maker, let us know how cost effective it REALLY is.

Another unfortunate case of RTFM (read the manual) or, in this case, RTFI (read the instructions).

I love the high school teachers who gave their classes the test where they tell them to read the entire test before starting, and the last sentence is "If you have gotten to this sentence without answering any questions, put down your pencil. You have just gotten an A+."



He said this about the Slim 5. I have used these, and they are very stable when still. When you start to move them is when they get just a bit scary, because they sway a little. Still, it is not at all bad.

If you are concerned about stability in the closet, you can install 2x4s just a bit to the left and right of it, get some mending plates at the hardware store, put two mending plates into the 2x4s and a pair of rack screw holes at the bottom and another set at the top. Or whatever better looking thing you want to do; if you keep the bottom and the top from starting to move, even earthquakes won't be a problem until quite strong.

Actually I was talking aout the Middle Atlantic rack. And when I move the ones I have installed they have not been scary at all.

The investment made to buy a real rack system is made only once. I have had customers who bought rack systems who after a couple of years moved to another house and they take the rack with them. Made my life easy. I still charged my standard rates, and all I had to do was integrate the rack into the new house after I prewired it. Oh BTW, I would end up selling a new system in the old house with a rack as well.

We just used the accuride (accuride.com) pull-out, swivel kit for the first time on a job. Cost about $500.00 and works flawlessly. Build whatever size cabinet you need for the electronics, attach the top and bottom pull-outs and your good-to-go. Good luck.

I think this will fit the bill, it can be bolted down, pulled out 20" and swiveled 180 degrees or more if need be. Also many heights can be ordered...and you don't have to pay for those seriously $$ face plates from M.A.

They also make the largest metal cabinet for your prewire hub locations, which can even hold panasonic phone system KSU's.


[Link: eholovision.com]

But I *like* them!

* They look totally professional. All wires can be laced, labled & and nicely dressed to length.

* The equipment is nailed down... no service calls for loose wires after the cleaners dust.

* Bury your flashers and the gear is almost cleaning lady & brother-in-law proof.

* Respectable margins on the RSH shelves.

* Yes they can add ($) up. That's a *good* thing.

* Tons of ventilation options.

* Always ship on time.

* The shelves never break. No service calls.

I love racks - they save time & money in the long run. Can't live without them.

I got a quote for $420 for a 27 space rack (~48" tall) and that included the base and the lazy susan bearing. The base even had a pull out drawer. This wasn't a piece of furniture but I did spec it out to hold 500 lbs of equipment.