[Red Squirrel]

I'm guessing the size of a 2*4 and what not is standard, but is the lenght you can buy them in also standard? What about stuff like drywall and plywood?

Reason I ask is I want to design myself a special cabinet (server rack) out of wood in autocad and every mm counts so I need to consider the wood thicknesses as well as the sizes I can buy the lumber in, as it will affect how I build it.

I've never really built anything before so I'll probably have more specific questions on this project as I get to it, but for now I'm only designing it, can't afford it yet. :laughing:

I just don't believe in paying 1-2k for a metal server rack when I can probably build one out of wood that should be nearly as effective. Most of my equipment is not rack mount yet anyway. Later on I may get rack mount stuff.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Yes, they are standard sizes
But 2x lumber can vary a bit, why it is used for framing
2x in 92", 8', 10, 12, 14, 16, 20 more sizes
Sheetrock you can buy in 4', 8' & 12'

 

[JohnCarpenter]

1x4 = .75" x 3.5"
2x4 = 1.5" x 3.5"
2x6 = 1.5" x 5.5"

studs are exactly 92-5/8" long.

Most 8' lumber is 8'-3/4" + or -1/8" and the end is not always square.
It then increases by 2' increments.

Plywood and Drywall are almost always 4' x 8' exactly and square.

If you are building for a server rack, plan on using peg-board with the holes in it for the shelving for vertilation. It usually comes 1/4" thick and 2'x2', 4'x4', and 4'x8' pieces.

In AutoCad type "units" and change your settings to architechtural, you don't need mm in America.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

In AutoCad type "units" and change your settings to architechtural, you don't need mm in America.

I guess that's why he's in Canada

 

[JohnCarpenter]

Oops, didn't notice the country. :whistling2:

 

[Joe Carola]

Yes, they are standard sizes
But 2x lumber can vary a bit, why it is used for framing
2x in 92", '

92" is a precut? Are precuts are 92-5/8".

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Well, I've never actually measured them
I just see the sign that says 92" :laughing:
And actually they were more $$ then the 8' studs
My ceilings end up at 8' 4.5" w/top/bottom plates

 

[Yoyizit]

every mm counts

With wood, using ordinary diligence, you'll be lucky to get within 3/32" of your design center values, for a number of reasons.
Also, you may want to borrow a book or two on "Lumber Engineering." A course in Statics wouldn't hurt, either.

For 10 points, what plane geometric figure cannot change in shape without changing the length of at least one of its sides?

 

[Maintenance 6]

Not sure i completely understand the bonus question, but my first response would be a square, since changing a side would result in a different geometric shape; i.e. a trapezoid or a rectangle.

 

[kd4ttc]

Extra credit

A triangle.

 

[Yoyizit]

A triangle.

Yes, and I hope the OP makes liberal use of these, and gusset plates, rather than trying to make sufficiently strong corners by other means.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Not sure i completely understand the bonus question, but my first response would be a square, since changing a side would result in a different geometric shape; i.e. a trapezoid or a rectangle.

A square you can simply keep the sides the same & tilt/squish it for a trapezoid

 

[Red Squirrel]

Thanks for all the answers, I got numbers to play with now so I may start on the design soon.

Yes, and I hope the OP makes liberal use of these, and gusset plates, rather than trying to make sufficiently strong corners by other means.

Actually that's the plan. And my design will be to try and incorporate "X" framing for better strenght. The front and back portion will be the hardest, but the sides will be easy.

I will probably post the design up once I do it so I can get tips on how to improve.

 

[RegeSullivan]

Hmmmm.... Ya know there is a reason server cabinets are metal. One reason, the rails are precisely placed so your equipment mounts bolt in without putting strain on the chassis. This is really important if you are using blades. Some of the old stuff is stronger than the cabinets they mount in but the newer stuff really needs a proper mount. If you really have your heart set on using wood make it wide to use wire shelves or some kind of open grate shelf and set the equipment on the shelf. Don't forget even the newest hardware produces heat so you must provide ventilation. A sealed cabinet with a filter on the bottom and a fan array on top are really great for keeping things cool and clean. Just be sure to have a failsafe shut down based on temperature incase of a fan failure.

Another reason server cabinets are metal is wood gets pretty dry with all the heat. Be sure to account for the shrinkage when you built the cabinet.

Or… see if you can find a used metal cabinet. Adapters are available for moving rails to from 23” to 19” and you could always make wood panels that bolt on to the cabinet if you need the look of wood.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Yeah I'm taking the lack of strength into consideration, mostly for single side mount items such as cisco switches as they will apply a "prying" type pressure. I really did not take into account that wood can shrink/expand though, that may cause me issues over time. Also if I use nails they might start to pop after a while, but if I use screws I may be safe. This will be sitting in a basement so the dampness (not that bad) may have some impact on the wood too. Paint should help though right?

I may be better off making this more into a shelving unit, but just use the same standards as server rack so I can slide in a piece of rack mounted equipment nicely, but have it sit on a shelf. I had that idea in the back of my mind, so think that's what I'll do. It will basically be a very fancy modular shelving system. Not sure how I'll do the doors yet, but I want to make ventilation key. A fan array sounds like a good idea, or maybe even a blower, but fans are probably cheaper to run 24/7 then a blower. I will also make the heat go straight to my crawlspace to throw some heat in there.

 

[Yoyizit]

Don't use nails; they don't allow for design changes and they have other drawbacks.

 

[SNC]

studs are exactly 92-5/8" long.

They also come 104 5/8

Most 8' lumber is 8'-3/4" + or -1/8" and the end is not always square.

Thats the cheap stuff, usually yellow pine.
dont buy yellow pine unless your making trusses it is garbage wood.

 

[SNC]

Well, I've never actually measured them
I just see the sign that says 92" :laughing:
And actually they were more $$ then the 8' studs
My ceilings end up at 8' 4.5" w/top/bottom plates

ill bet the sheetrocker hates you.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

ill bet the sheetrocker hates you.

I'm the sheetrocker
1/2" down at the top w/ceiling sheetrock
Then the wood floor - 3/4" or so?
That leaves ~3" at the bottom that will be covered by baseboard

 

[Red Squirrel]

This is a noob question but what does the notation 5/8 mean when talking inches, is it just a fraction? So instead of saying 0.625? That's what I'm guessing, but just thought I'd check.