Centracom Furniture Configurations

[NSPD]

I'm trying to plan out a project for home to make use of some Centracom II furniture as a radio console/work desk. The original console was a straight-across 2-operator position, but my needs are just for a single operator position to sit in a corner.

My first question is this.... How modular is the console furniture? I basically want to take three 19" sections and insert two of the wedge sections between them to make the corner. I assume that the equipment is modular and will allow for this (providing that I can find the wedge sections), but having not seen any actual centracom furniture up close, I am wondering.

My second question is about the underside of the console below the countertop area. Is this also rack-mount space, and if so how deep is it?

The third and final question is what exactly is the console furniture made out of? I am planning to refurbish what I get, but I am concerned that any plastic components may not fare well if I sandblast and powdercoat the whole console.

Thanks for any insight that anyone can provide!

[Rod Farva]

The old furniture is made out of metal and wood, the wood of course is the tabletop. The consoles did come with a corner wedge because I used to have to haul the old furniture away about 10 years or so ago when the gold elite started being installed and comcens started using adjustable workstations. As you know there are several areas of the console furniture to mount equipment both on the front and on the back. Depending on the configuration of the furniture ordered you had space on 2 sections above the desk area. In the back were keyed covers that covered another section of 19in internal rack rails. Those were used to mount op position power supplies as well as relay panels and telephone punch blocks or telco equipment. Sometimes the CEB was mounted in there but not typically. On the front of the console underneath the desktop there is another keyed cover, this is to gain access to the rear of the equipment that is installed in the back of the console. I don't remember but I do not believe there were any rack rails there only on the backside of the console. This has been awhile since I have been in one. The inner sections bolt side by side. The wedge you need is probably out there but might be more hassle then it's worth to get it.

[NSPD]

Excellent info Rod, thanks!

Are the different componets modular enough that you change them easily? I believe that the ones that I am getting have the half-height (4U?) top section rather than the full-height (8U?) top section that would be idea for my situation.