Is there a less expensive alternative for a vertical rack than Mid-Atlantic?

It depends on where you are putting the rack. If you are framing it into the wall, you can just get the rails and go from there.

You can also try a place like craigslist or ebay for a used rack. I see them on there all the time.

Take a look at this company; Raxxess

http://www.raxxess.com/residential/products/racks_enclosures/main.html



John :)

Yep, we have a Raxxess rack here at the office housing some of our servers. It's built very well and I've been happy with it. I believe they are less expensive than the other brand but I'm not 100% sure as it's been a while.

I live in Silicon Valley and there are always fantastic deals on used equipment racks (datacom, server, storage, etc.). I purchased an 'industrial strength' 7' rack that is built like a tank, has inbuilt cooling, with removable door, and is fully compatible with standard A/V equipment spacing - all for under $100. It even looks great too! I'm sure that the original price must have been multiple thousands of dollars given the typical IT industry markup.

I live in Silicon Valley and there are always fantastic deals on used equipment racks (datacom, server, storage, etc.). I purchased an 'industrial strength' 7' rack that is built like a tank, has inbuilt cooling, with removable door, and is fully compatible with standard A/V equipment spacing - all for under $100. It even looks great too! I'm sure that the original price must have been multiple thousands of dollars given the typical IT industry markup.

I'm a Bay Area guy, too. Is the rack you purchased something you could place in your living room?

I'm a Bay Area guy, too. Is the rack you purchased something you could place in your living room?

The particular rack I bought is quite "industrial" - I deliberately wanted this look. It has a mesh door on the front which is about 3 inches thick - it could possibly suit some living room styles, but not in my house!

FWIW, I bought mine from WeirdStuff in Sunnyvale - they have a constantly changing inventory. [You need to visit them in person as they don't accurately reflect their current pieces on the website.]

Weird stuff? Those guys still around? I haven't been there in years. I also remember going to Haltek and Halted 20 years ago.

Weird stuff? Those guys still around? I haven't been there in years. I also remember going to Haltek and Halted 20 years ago.

I spy a kindred spirit! I too whiled away many hours cruising the H&H isles.

And yes, Weird Stuff are still going strong! Even if you don't find a suitable rack, they always seem to have something that makes the trip worthwhile:).

- Dave

it sounds like you may be looking for more furniture grade rack. I bought the U60 from www.studiotech.com, and it's a great rack that looks nice in a living room (though I did have to buy the rack rails from them for it - it comes standard with shelving).

On the expensive side but another living room quality possibility is the avstand, from www.avrak.com. Salamander also makes quality "shelving" (not true racks), but they could run you as much as a M/A rack.

Did you do a search at all? A quick google search came up with tons of hits beside the 2 I mention above. Sanus makes some furniture grade equipment "racks" (more like shelving).

Thanks for all the ideas. I started pricing this stuff out and I can see the Middle-Atlantic solution costing around $2K when you factor in the custom facia shelves. Even the 'lower cost' alternatives come in at around $1K. I think I will swing by weird stuff and also keep an eye on Craigslist. I don't want to spend more than $500. $77 for four castors? Come on. I thought Harley parts were a flaming rip off from hell.