[newstuart]

Hi

I am looking to centralise my MCE PC system,Home PC, Printer, Patch Panels, Surround Sound, Amp etc into recess in the spare room which will eventually become my home office.

The recess is 102cm wide and 80cm deep. I will need 8 shelevs to hold all the gear and then plan on putting a false wall in front of it so just the equipment can be seen and the wiring will all be neatly hidden

For ventalition I plan to make the shellves 50cm deep leaving a void behind of 30 cm and then fit a extractor fan in the ceiling to draw out air as well as a vent at the bottom of the false wall to bring in air

I was planing to fix battons to each side of the wall for each shelf and then screw the shelf to them meaning each would be fixed to both side walls but obviously not the rear wall (as this is where the void for cooling will be).

I am a little worried the shelves may bow in the middle as a PC with 8 HDDs is not light and neither is the printer.

Do you think if I use 1/2 inch MDF for the shelves they would be ok or does anyone have any better suggestions?

[GlynG60]

If you are going to put a false wall in front, you could use a racking frame which you could make up to fit. See p.55 here
That would certainly be strong enough and you could then even use ventilated shelves if necessary.