Suggestions for rackmount floppy mounting

[Chuck Guzis]

On 14 Aug 2007 at 11:11, Mr Ian Primus wrote:

> Well, if you want the cheap-and-dirty way to do it (my
> favorite way!) you could use a piece of 1/4" plywood
> as a faceplate, cut square holes in it the size of a
> full height 5 1/4" drive, and scavenge some drive
> frames from junked PC mid-tower cabinets. Screw the
> drive frames to the back of the plywood, and paint the
> plywood to match the cabinet. The weight of the floppy
> drives shouldn't be enough so that it needs any more
> support than a few rack screws drilled through the
> edges of the plywood.

Reminds me of the old-time custom of making rack panels out of 1/4" 
masonite.  I was thinking about 1/4" polycarbonate and a router (the 
machine tool, not the network gear).  I could make the side rails 
from the same, just solvent-cemented to the front.

I'm not sure how, using the tools I have to carve big holes in a 
thick aluminum blank panel plate.  Would a 3 HP router and a carbide 
bit do it?  Ideally, I suppose a vertical mill would be the "right" 
tool, but I don't have access to one.

Cheers,
Chuck