Reinforcing this Wood/Particle Board Cabinet and adding casters?

[dusk tulip]

Hey guys, I found this cool display case that I want to put my network equipment inside. The equipment could total between 250-300lbs.

(Picture 3): With all the shelves removed, I'm trying to figure out ways to reinforce the unit and keep it from swaying. Thinking of adding 2x2's as a frame, Liquid Nailing it to the particle board sides, and then screwing a sheet of 3/4" ply to the back.

(Picture 2): Any suggestions how I could reinforce the bottom of this unit to better suit the weight, as well as add casters? The bottom of the cabinet is skirted/recessed, and I'd like the casters to be recessed as well.. just not sure how I could lock them if I cant access them.

Any help at all is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[elfin cliff]

A box without at least 5 sides is very fragile. So putting in a simple back over at least 75% of the back surface will stiffen it up considerably

As far as casters, hard to say. I would probably just make a separate mobile base, then it's not up to the cabinet for support

[dusk tulip]

Thanks for the response. Even if i didn't do casters, would there be a way I could reinforce the bottom for the weight of the rack?

[elfin cliff]

200lbs is well within spec for a book shelf, and if the rack is attached to the walls, then they should be carrying all the weight

I don't know how the bottom is attached

[dusk tulip]

the rack is also one of these, where typically they'd be attached to a wall

but I'm going to have to find a way to fix it to the added frame

Maybe just make mini studs

[serene dove]

your network equipment is going to be potentially generating a lot of heat depending on what you've got. Typically if you're getting into rack mounted stuff it has big processors and generates heat.

I would not entirely close the back of that cabinet with 3/4" plywood. I'd consider cutting either a number of 2" holes in the back, or even one large oval that just leaves a few inches of plywood around the sides.

Alternatively you might be able to get away with just adding a 3" CPU fan at the top of the back and a vent hole at the bottom so you can circulate air.

You'll need holes to get cables in and out anyway.

[dusk tulip]

I'm going to rout holes in the plywood for fans to be mounted for intake/exhaust.

One of the units in the rack is a fan controller