Case rack drawers

Case Rack Drawers – Your Specialist for Professional Case Building

Case rack drawers turn any 19-inch rack into a tidy, secure storage system for your day-to-day event technology. Whether you need to stow cables, adapters, tools or small parts, a lockable drawer keeps everything organised and instantly to hand at the venue. At LTT you find rugged rack drawers in every common rack unit height, made from steel or aluminium, with reliable locks and smooth-running slides. As your specialist for event technology, we equip touring racks, DJ setups and fixed installs with the optimal solution for professional use.

What Is a Case Rack Drawer? Fundamentals and Function

A case rack drawer is a pull-out storage module built to the standardised 19-inch rack format with a front width of 482.6 mm. It mounts into the front rails of a rack or flight case using the same hole pattern as amplifiers, mixers or power distributors, so it integrates seamlessly into your existing case build.

Unlike a fixed rack tray or a shelf, a rack drawer runs on slide rails and can be pulled fully out of the rack. That gives you a complete overview of the contents and quick access to frequently needed equipment. Most models close with a lock, which protects the contents during transport and against unauthorised access.

How a rack drawer differs from adjacent products

A rack drawer is a closed, lockable pull-out box. A rack tray is an open sliding shelf without a lid, better suited to items you grab constantly. A drawer box for a Universal Tour Case is a modular insert for a specific case system rather than a screw-in 19-inch component. Knowing this distinction helps you pick the right part for your particular case configuration and avoid ordering an incompatible module.

Rack drawers are the classic organisation tool inside touring racks, effect racks and installation racks, keeping loose accessories from rattling around and getting lost.

Rack Unit Sizes: From 1U to 6U Explained

Rack drawers are specified in rack units (U, also called HE), the vertical measurement used across the whole 19-inch world. One rack unit equals exactly 44.45 mm of usable front height. This standard lets you plan drawer placement precisely inside a case rack.

To calculate how much free rack space a drawer occupies, simply multiply the number of units. A 2U drawer needs roughly 88.9 mm of front height, a 4U drawer around 177.8 mm. If your rack offers 12U in total and you already use 8U for devices, a 4U drawer fills the remaining space neatly.

Typical rack unit heights for drawers

• 1U (approx. 44.45 mm): flat drawer for cables, adapters and thin small parts. Drawer inner dimensions around 41.5 cm x 35 cm x 3 cm.
• 2U (approx. 88.9 mm): the most popular all-rounder. Drawer around 41.5 cm x 35 cm x 6.8 cm.
• 3U (approx. 133.35 mm): more depth for tools, connectors and gaffer tape.
• 4U (approx. 177.8 mm): generous volume for bulkier accessories and mixed loads.
• 6U (approx. 266.7 mm): maximum capacity, ideal for a full technician's kit.

Matching the rack unit to your storage needs keeps your rack balanced and avoids wasting valuable mounting space. For deep touring racks, a fully extending drawer ensures you can reach the very back of the compartment.

Applications and Use: Where Case Rack Drawers Prove Themselves

Case rack drawers are used wherever loose small parts need to travel and stay organised inside a 19-inch rack. On tour, they hold spare XLR and powerCON cables, adapters and multitools right next to the amplifiers and effect processors they serve. In a DJ booth, a lockable drawer keeps needles, cartridges, USB sticks and headphones secure during a busy night.

Theatres, churches, clubs and event agencies rely on rack drawers to standardise their flight-case inventory, so every technician knows exactly where a component lives. In fixed installations, a drawer stores documentation, keys and configuration cables directly at the equipment rack.

Typical stored items include cables, connectors, tools, adapters, data media and delicate small parts that would otherwise get lost or damaged in a bag. Because the drawer shares its rack with your devices, everything travels as one protected unit — a real advantage for mobile and touring setups.

Types and Variants of Case Rack Drawers

Rack drawers come in several variants so you can tailor the module to your workflow and case type.

By locking type

• Key lock drawers: a classic cylinder lock supplied with 2 keys, the standard choice for touring racks.
• Number-code drawers: keyless access via a combination lock, handy when several technicians share one rack.

By slide mechanism

• Standard slides: the drawer opens most of the way for everyday access.
• Full-extension slides: ball-bearing rails let the drawer pull completely clear of the rack, giving a full overview even in deep racks.

By material

• Steel drawers: maximum stability and anti-theft strength for demanding road use.
• Aluminium drawers: noticeably lighter, ideal where every kilogram counts.

Special versions

• ERGO handle models: an ergonomically shaped grip for comfortable opening.
• Keyboard drawers: a 2U panel designed to hold a computer keyboard at the rack.

Matching the variant to your application ensures the drawer earns its place in the rack.

Steel vs Aluminium and Depth: Comparison of Case Rack Drawers

Choosing the right drawer comes down to material and mounting depth. Steel offers maximum durability and security, while aluminium saves weight. Short 255 mm drawers fit shallow flight cases, whereas standard 385 mm drawers use the full depth of a touring rack. The comparison below helps you decide.

For fixed installations where weight is irrelevant, a steel drawer with standard depth is the robust choice. For fly-in gigs and shallow racks, a short aluminium drawer keeps your case light and manoeuvrable. Many technicians run both types depending on the job.

Technical Buying Criteria: Dimensions, Material and Features

When comparing case rack drawers, focus on the concrete technical values rather than vague descriptions.

Dimensions and weight

• Front width: always 482.6 mm for the 19-inch standard.
• Front height per unit: 88.9 mm for a 2U model, based on 44.45 mm per rack unit.
• Drawer inner size (2U example): approx. 41.5 cm x 35 cm x 6.8 cm.
• Mounting depth: 255 mm (short) or 385 mm (standard).
• Weight: from around 3.00 kg for aluminium, up to 8 kg for larger steel models.

Material and construction

Steel gives you stability and break-in resistance, while aluminium reduces weight for touring. A high-quality powder-coated finish protects the surface and gives a clean black look that matches most rack fronts. Metal construction throughout ensures the drawer survives years of loading and unloading.

Locking and slides

Check whether the model includes a key lock (usually 2 keys) or a number-code lock, and whether the slides are standard or full-extension ball-bearing rails. These features decide how securely and how comfortably the drawer works in daily practice.

Buying Guide: Full-Extension Slides, ERGO Handles and Depth Selection

A good rack drawer choice starts with your rack, not the drawer. Follow these steps for the optimal solution.

1. Measure your free rack space

Count the unused rack units in your case and pick a drawer height that fits without crowding your devices. Remember 1U equals 44.45 mm.

2. Match the mounting depth

Check the internal depth of your flight case. A short 255 mm drawer is the right choice for shallow fly cases used in event and touring setups, while a standard 385 mm drawer exploits the full depth of a deeper rack for more storage volume.

3. Decide on slides

In deep 19-inch racks, full-extension slides are worth the small surcharge because they let the drawer pull completely out, so nothing hides at the back. For flat 1U drawers, standard slides are usually enough.

4. Consider the handle

ERGO handle models open more comfortably and are a plus for technicians who access the drawer dozens of times per show.

5. Choose material and lock

Pick steel for heavy road use and security, aluminium for weight savings, and select a key or number-code lock based on how many people share the rack.

Installing Case Rack Drawers in a 19-Inch Rack

Mounting a rack drawer follows the same principle as any 19-inch component, so no special skills are needed.

What you need

• Cage nuts to match your rack rails
• Rack screws with matching washers to protect the front finish
• A screwdriver and, ideally, a second person for heavier drawers

Step by step

1. Choose the free rack space and clip the cage nuts into the square holes of the front rails at the correct positions.
2. If your drawer runs on removable slide rails, fix the rails first, then slide the drawer body in and lock it via the quick-release.
3. Align the drawer front flush with the rack surface and start all screws by hand before tightening them.
4. Tighten the rack screws evenly through the front flange into the cage nuts, working diagonally to avoid stressing the frame.
5. Open and close the drawer once to confirm smooth, rattle-free operation.

Always support the full weight of a loaded drawer before you release the slides, and never overload a drawer beyond a balanced, transport-safe fill. Clean, correct mounting keeps the drawer running smoothly for years of professional use.

Brands and Manufacturers for Case Rack Drawers

At LTT you find rack drawers from established manufacturers that professionals in event technology trust every day.

• OMNITRONIC: practical lockable drawers in 1U, 2U, 3U and 4U with a great price-performance ratio, supplied with 2 keys.
• SHOWGEAR: 19-inch drawers and keyboard panels with black powder coating, up to 6U with keylock.
• ROADINGER: dividers, drawer boxes and trays that expand your Universal Tour Case and rack systems.
• Adam Hall 19" Parts: full-extension aluminium and steel rack drawers on ball-bearing chassis rails, with cylinder lock and removable rails.
• MONACOR: profile rack cabinets and rack hardware for tidy installations.

These hochwertige Markenprodukte cover everything from budget-friendly all-rounders to premium full-extension modules, so you always find the right drawer for touring, DJ or fixed-install use.

Matching Accessories: Trays, Dividers and Case Parts

A rack drawer is only one building block of a well-organised case. The right accessories turn it into a complete storage system.

• Rack trays: open sliding shelves for items you grab constantly, complementing the closed drawer.
• Dividers: ROADINGER dividers in small and large sizes partition a drawer or tour case so cables and small parts stay separated.
• Drawer boxes and inlays: modular inserts and foam inlays cushion sensitive equipment and keep it from shifting in transit.
• Cage nuts and rack screws: the mounting hardware you need to fit the drawer securely into the front rails.

Combining a lockable drawer with trays, dividers and foam inlays keeps your entire case tidy and protects your investment. As your reliable partner for case building, LTT stocks the matching accessories to complete your rack from a single source.

Related Categories for Your Case Build

Case rack drawers are part of LTT's broad cases, racks and accessories world. If you are equipping a full rack, it pays to browse the neighbouring ranges.

Look into rack cases and flight cases to house your amplifiers, mixers and effect units, into caserack accessories for rack rails, blind panels and shelves, and into the wider cases and bags category for transport protection. Combining a rack case with the right drawers, trays and mounting hardware gives you a rugged, professional setup that stays organised on every gig.

LTT – Your Specialist for Event Technology

As your specialist for event technology with more than 25 years of experience, LTT equips touring racks, DJ setups and fixed installations with rack drawers that hold up on the road. We ship your order from Bocholt, Germany, with free shipping from €69 and express delivery available, and every drawer is backed by the 3-year LTT warranty.

As a manufacturer with our own production in Germany and a full-service supplier of professional showtech, we know exactly what technicians need to achieve beeindruckende Ergebnisse — reliable, well-built components that just work. B2B resellers benefit from dedicated wholesale conditions and our international dealer network, while over 100,000 positive customer reviews confirm our position as a reliable partner.

Browse the case rack drawers above, pick the optimal solution for your rack, and keep your equipment secure, tidy and ready for the next show.

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