Question: Rackmount Cabinet Accessibility
Q: My client has an rackmount cabinet on casters that rolls into a very tight space. We are looking for a good way to be able to pull it out when the need arises. What do you recommend?
Marcus Ingram
MI Technologies
A: There are a couple of different options available. The key factor is the weight of the cabinet. For light weight applications where all you are looking for is a convenient hand-hold, you could go to the hardware store and purchase some handles that would normally go on a kitchen cabinet or drawer. If you can find a couple with hole spacing that is close to that of the EIA spacing on the cabinet, you can screw the handles vertically to both rails. This will give you something to grab to pull the cabinet out.
Failing this, you could go with a rackmount solution. A lacer bar should work, or a blank panel could work. These options have their own limitations as the lacer bar can bend, and a flanged blank panel has flanges that might catch or cut your fingers. The lacer bar (or multiple bars) can provide an offset to allow you to hold it, and could be mounted right in front of other equipment. A blank panel would need its own space and should have clearance around it to allow you to grip it.
You might also try a sort of hybrid solution, which would entail mounting some handles onto a blank panel, and then rackmounting the panel.
Note: Please call to discuss your particular situation before embarking on any of these possible solutions.
Rackmount Ranger
