Suggestions for rackmount floppy mounting - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

15 Aug 2007

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Subject: Re: Suggestions for rackmount floppy mounting
   From: "Chuck Guzis" <cclist at sydex.com>
   Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:59:35 -0700
     To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at
classiccmp.org>

On 14 Aug 2007 at 11:11, Mr Ian Primus wrote:

  Well, if you want the cheap-and-dirty way to do
it (my
 favorite way!) you could use a piece of 1/4" plywood
 as a faceplate, cut square holes in it the size of a
 full height 5 1/4" drive, and scavenge some drive
 frames from junked PC mid-tower cabinets. Screw the
 drive frames to the back of the plywood, and paint the
 plywood to match the cabinet. The weight of the floppy
 drives shouldn't be enough so that it needs any more
 support than a few rack screws drilled through the
 edges of the plywood. 
Reminds me of the old-time custom of making rack panels out of 1/4" 
masonite.  I was thinking about 1/4" polycarbonate and a router (the 
machine tool, not the network gear).  I could make the side rails 
from the same, just solvent-cemented to the front.

I'm not sure how, using the tools I have to carve big holes in a 
thick aluminum blank panel plate.  Would a 3 HP router and a carbide 
bit do it?  Ideally, I suppose a vertical mill would be the "right" 
tool, but I don't have access to one. 
Hand held saber saw (aka jigsaw) with metal blade does fine.

I made the disk shelf for my PDP11 (RX33, RD52s, uVAX2000 powersupply,  
enable/writelocks buttons from BA123).  Front plate was a blank and the
shelf was another sheet of .100 Aluminum plus some supports salvaged from
various older defunct machines.  

Allison

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Cheers,
Chuck 