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DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 8:27 pm
by JTurbide
Anybody built a eurorack case ? Is it worth it ?
I could have a wood case done for free (my dad could easily do it and have limitless free wood cause we have a wooden land), I wonder if the electronic part is easily done or if it's really complicated. I'm trying to save has much money as possible for my setup. Any tips, ideas, links would be really appreciated. thanks. Btw I'm thinking Pittsburgh Structure EP208 style but maybe 84HP instead of 104.
So what do I need?

Re: DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:16 pm
by oscillateur
You'll have to get a power supply. Good ones that can be bought separately : Intellijel, Synthrotek for example.
Then get some rails (available from some DIY euro shops) and you're done. Well, apart from the putting things together.
It shouldn't be too difficult for someone good with manual stuff. There's a huge thread on Muffwiggler about DIY cases, worth checking out.
Re: DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 9:56 pm
by Strange Tales
Do you know a way to cut wood? I got lucky and work had a full table saw, so I got it cut there. I made it easy on myself and made two open boxes that I can close together though. Angled wood? No clue. I think NLC or someone posted a ton of laser cut acrylic case files, so you can get your own cut in many different sizes.
After that, it's really not too hard. Find out which power supplies you want. I went with Intellijel's and they have served me fine on both ends (12U 120HP). Malekko makes a really nice supply that provides separate 5V rails per 4 outputs, which will really limit noise on that rail.
But yea, cut the wood. Then you screw it all together (probably do pilot holes first). I did wood glue as well, just to help. After that, I filled the gouged out spots with wood filler, and then covered my case using Duratex. Way easier than any other method I had.
Re: DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Tue Apr 18, 2017 10:33 pm
by jrfox92
JTurbide wrote:we have a wooden land
You mean, like, trees?
Because you're not getting usable wood out of fresh cut tree (at least, not for a long while).
If you just mean there's a lot of lumber, then ignore that.
Osci's got it down.
Rails, power.
Z-rails are pretty solid. They're a little expensive, though.
Maybe consider Frap Tools' Plus if you can swing it?
Strange Tales wrote:Do you know a way to cut wood? I got lucky and work had a full table saw, so I got it cut there. I made it easy on myself and made two open boxes that I can close together though. Angled wood? No clue.
Angled wood's super simple if you've got a jig or a miter saw.
Re: DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 10:12 am
by JTurbide
jrfox92 wrote:JTurbide wrote:we have a wooden land
You mean, like, trees?
Because you're not getting usable wood out of fresh cut tree (at least, not for a long while).
Don't worry my dad has a huge sawmill and have alot of already cutted and dried wood. He's a carpenter and is really good at woodworking and repairs everything by himself so he's really good at manual tasks. So the case itself is not a problem I guess.
Otherwise thanks guys! I've been thinking of a 6U 84HP(each). I would love to have no power module, like on pittsburgh cases but if it's alot more complicated I could go with a power module. But, I'm not sure I fully understand the electrical part. Like, do I really just need a power supply and rails? What about bus board and those big chrome blocks in the pittsburgh case for example ? I know it might sound obvious but I'm kinda lost and I just want to make sure I don't fuck up.
Would I really be all good with only one like this:
https://malekkoheavyindustry.com/product/malekko-power/
or that
https://intellijel.com/product/triple-p ... -busboard/
and two 84HP rails ? Power supply brick? power module?
....Yeah I'm waiting for someone to give me a complete list with links ... DO IT

Re: DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 10:44 am
by Strange Tales
You can use the Intellijel TPS30W, that's what I use for each side of my case (2 of them in my case). You can also buy the powerbrick for the Intellijel supplies from them. Malekko one is more expensive but is a lot more forgiving on the 5V rail, and also includes keyed headers so you don't plug your shit in backwards by accident.
You can order rails from a lot of places. I ordered mine from Erthenvar. You just order the total amount of rails needed (in your case, 168) and tell them you want it cut in 6U 84HP. They provide all the other necessary hardware as well to put your rails together and the nuts for the inside.
If you want a power switch on the side, just cut a little hole out on the side and wire one up. It's not very hard. Shit, take the Intellijel Power Entry thing and just screw it to the side of your case. I plan on doing that myself sometime in the future, maybe.
Re: DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:12 am
by JTurbide
Thanks ST your are being really helpful, I'll try figure things out and make a plan: parts list, etc.
btw I'm going to buy my first module tomorrow (I know it's not really useful on it's own but it will be a great module when I acquire more and I'll have it for a really good price so I jumped on it

) WEST COAST RANDOM SOURCE by SPUTNIK

Re: DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 3:30 pm
by kbit
Any other resource for rails aside from Erthenvar? For some reason I can wrap my head around rails being as pricey as they are...
Non-vector rails preferred, as im thinking about Intellijel's 1U line.
Re: DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 4:33 pm
by JTurbide
Re: DIY Eurorack Case ?
Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 5:09 pm
by actual
kbit wrote:Any other resource for rails aside from Erthenvar? For some reason I can wrap my head around rails being as pricey as they are...
Non-vector rails preferred, as im thinking about Intellijel's 1U line.
fwiw I read about a dude using the rails you'd use for curtains and some m3 nuts which fit perfectly with eurorack.