Modifying used cable trunks / equipment cases

Jan 14, 2011
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San Francisco, CA
I recently bought a used equipment case with casters from an ebay AV liquidator, you can probably guess which one. The case is in great shape, so it was a steal. Now I'm wondering to what extent I can remove pre-installed dividers to turn these into ordinary cable trunks. How are the wooden dividers attached to the sides of the case? What about the metal dividers?
 
Re: Modifying used cable trunks / equipment cases

The ones I've modified have had everything riveted together. If so, you can drill them out. A little detective work and you'll get it.
 
Re: Modifying used cable trunks / equipment cases

The cases I've seen, the dividers are an after thought of the case build. Defoam and see how they added them into the trunk.

Typical construction is riveting to a piece of angled aluminum extrusion at each end of the divider. As I've been reworking a few cases for the past month or so, I can confirm that the 2-3 different well known major brands I've been working on do it this way. Drill them out, tear out the old foam, reline with case/cabinet carpet.

Best regards,

John
 
Re: Modifying used cable trunks / equipment cases

Thanks for the tips, guys! The hardest part of this so far has been taking out the foam that was below one of the "sections." It's a solid block of hard foam as opposed the soft stuff inside pelican cases and the like, and it's glued on the sides and the bottom, so I've just been chopping at it from above and breaking out in a sweat. Any idea on a better way to deal with that?
 
Re: Modifying used cable trunks / equipment cases

Thanks for the tips, guys! The hardest part of this so far has been taking out the foam that was below one of the "sections." It's a solid block of hard foam as opposed the soft stuff inside pelican cases and the like, and it's glued on the sides and the bottom, so I've just been chopping at it from above and breaking out in a sweat. Any idea on a better way to deal with that?

I use something like this:

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/pro...y=equipment_supplies/painters_tools/scrapers/


If the foam is heavily glued down, take a retractible utility knife-my favorite:

http://www.tajimatool.com/products/snapblade/rh_single_blade/view.php?page=all

Set the blade high enough, and slice through the foam in strips or a grid, and then prying up the smaller cut sections should be easier. A heat gun may help, but be careful not to burn the foam, it's no doubt bad on the lungs. Perhaps a heat lamp instead-something to warm up the glue, which should make it easier to work. The removal doesn't have to be perfect if you are putting new foam or carpet down.

Best regards,

John
 
Re: Modifying used cable trunks / equipment cases

Go to the junk yard and get a broken leaf spring. Grind it down to a suitable edge. Spring steel will take a razor edge, so be careful. The heft of the spring combined with the sharp edge will make short work of removing the foam and the adhesive.
 
Re: Modifying used cable trunks / equipment cases

Go to the junk yard and get a broken leaf spring. Grind it down to a suitable edge. Spring steel will take a razor edge, so be careful. The heft of the spring combined with the sharp edge will make short work of removing the foam and the adhesive.
That sounds quick and easy. :?~:-?~:???:
 
Re: Modifying used cable trunks / equipment cases

Go to the junk yard and get a broken leaf spring. Grind it down to a suitable edge. Spring steel will take a razor edge, so be careful. The heft of the spring combined with the sharp edge will make short work of removing the foam and the adhesive.

Sounds like the start of a B-movie slasher flick.. Beware the Rees
 
Re: Modifying used cable trunks / equipment cases

There's a reason for the avatar......
 

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