WTB: API-type Lunchbox...Or Can I make my own?

[chetatkinsdiet]

I'd really like to get a little lunchbox to start filling up with API
or OSA modules. My only drawback is that the bare boxes are usually
around $500. I think I've seen one, maybe from Fletcher for $450.
Anyway, there really doesn't seem to be much to them. A hammond, or
similar box...card slots in the back...a simple patch panel on back
and a power supply. Seems like less than $100 in parts. I'm just
talking a small one, 4-6 slots. Anyone ever made their own? Or does
anyone have a nice little used one they'd like to sell for cheap?
Later,
m

[John Noll]

chetatkinsdiet wrote:
> I'd really like to get a little lunchbox to start filling up with API
> or OSA modules. My only drawback is that the bare boxes are usually
> around $500. I think I've seen one, maybe from Fletcher for $450.
> Anyway, there really doesn't seem to be much to them. A hammond, or
> similar box...card slots in the back...a simple patch panel on back
> and a power supply. Seems like less than $100 in parts. I'm just
> talking a small one, 4-6 slots. Anyone ever made their own? Or does
> anyone have a nice little used one they'd like to sell for cheap?
> Later,
> m

The new 6 space model from api is VERY nice. Especially for $450.
Call Jay or Fletcher at Mercenary.

The older 4 space units are now going for nice prices because of this. I
sold one on eBay for about $350 and I saw another go for $300. There's
one on eBay right now.

--
--
John Noll
Retromedia Sound Studios
Red Bank, NJ 07701

Phone: 732-842-3853 Fax: 732-842-5631

http://www.retromedia.net

[MHLINE]

Or check out Old

[MHLINE]

Or check out Old School Audio. They make a rack and a lunchbox that are pretty
cheapand better quality than the API imo.

[chetatkinsdiet]

Yeah, I saw Mercenary's price on the 6 space. I'm also watching that
4 space on ebay now. Of course, I just blew any chances of getting a
decent price on it by posting on here and advertising it.
later,
m

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> Anyway, there really doesn't seem to be much to them. A hammond, or
> similar box...card slots in the back...a simple patch panel on back
> and a power supply. Seems like less than $100 in parts.

That's about right for a $500 retail box. Go for it and see how you
do, but don't ask for drawings or a schematic. Those cost $1000.




--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Analogeezer]

(chetatkinsdiet) wrote in message >...
> I'd really like to get a little lunchbox to start filling up with API
> or OSA modules. My only drawback is that the bare boxes are usually
> around $500. I think I've seen one, maybe from Fletcher for $450.
> Anyway, there really doesn't seem to be much to them. A hammond, or
> similar box...card slots in the back...a simple patch panel on back
> and a power supply. Seems like less than $100 in parts. I'm just
> talking a small one, 4-6 slots. Anyone ever made their own? Or does
> anyone have a nice little used one they'd like to sell for cheap?
> Later,
> m

I'd check out Brent Averill, they have lunch box type racks that are
much less expensive than the API version, but being Averill I imagine
they are of high quality.

I've never understood the API lunchbox thing...granted it's cheaper to
fill up but I would never want 4 - 6 API modules in a package that was
that easy to steal...I guess you could chain it to the floor or
something but the thought of $5000 - $6000 worth of API not bolted
into a rack would make me nervous.

Analogeezer

[Justin Ulysses Morse]

chetatkinsdiet > wrote:

> I'd really like to get a little lunchbox to start filling up with API
> or OSA modules. My only drawback is that the bare boxes are usually
> around $500. I think I've seen one, maybe from Fletcher for $450.
> Anyway, there really doesn't seem to be much to them. A hammond, or
> similar box...card slots in the back...a simple patch panel on back
> and a power supply. Seems like less than $100 in parts. I'm just
> talking a small one, 4-6 slots. Anyone ever made their own? Or does
> anyone have a nice little used one they'd like to sell for cheap?


I'm right in the middle of wiring up a card cage I had sitting around
to hold some API modules. These card cages probably sell for $100 or
more, but you can sometimes find them surplus or salvage for little or
no money. But after that, you have to cause the thing to hold API
modules, and you have to attach some connectors both for the cards and
for the I/O. That's a day of metal work IF you're skilled and
equipped. If not, it's a week of dicking around with hand tools or
spending a couple tall bills to get somebody else to do it for you.
Then there's the power supply. I suppose you could use a couple of
Power One supplies wired in opposition to give you a bipolar 18V
supply. But they're big and cumbersome so now you've got another
metalworking project. It all adds up. You could probably do it for
under $400 IF you have the materials, tools, and skills necessary to do
everything yourself.


ulysses