I make them all the time. My cost is under $5 for a 1 or 2 RU 1/8" aluminum panel and about $20 for a 2' x 4' sheet of .062 aluminum for the chassis. So not including the tools cost is around $25.
Digikey and Mouser sell Bud's CH-14401 rack mount chassis for under $50.
Of course the tools to build the case cost me well under $250,000. But I have used them enough to pay for the tools.
Digikey and Mouser sell Bud's CH-14401 rack mount chassis for under $50.
Of course the tools to build the case cost me well under $250,000. But I have used them enough to pay for the tools.
Middle Atlantic makes some relatively cheap but very solid rack-mount cases.
I've built a few things using Hammond aluminum or steel chassis boxes with a 19" blank rack plate bolted to the front. Not all that cheap, though.
For projects that can fit in a 1U cabinet, the best buy might be obsolete IT hardware like old ethernet hubs. You should be able to buy them by the pound from computer recyclers.
I've built a few things using Hammond aluminum or steel chassis boxes with a 19" blank rack plate bolted to the front. Not all that cheap, though.
For projects that can fit in a 1U cabinet, the best buy might be obsolete IT hardware like old ethernet hubs. You should be able to buy them by the pound from computer recyclers.
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