Mini Rack suggestions?

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LightOwl

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#324565 28-Apr-2026 15:52

Hi, first time poster here!

I'm looking for a "mini rack" (10 inch) to tidy up a stack of tech on my desk and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations.

The stack consists of a mini PC and two switches (pictured):

It's essentially a distribution network for my office, but the mini PC is actually used as a desktop. I also have a full-width rack on a shelf holding the rest of my network gear in another room.

I like the look of the Deskpi, but they seem difficult to get in NZ without paying exorbitant shipping charges, so I was hoping someone had found something stocked more locally. PBtech has a Dynamix rack, but it has a glass door on the front which I don't want, and the reviews are mixed.

Thanks for looking, any suggestions would be appreciated. :)

mentalinc

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#3485137 28-Apr-2026 15:56

Many many options online.

Check youtube videos, and 'tech bloggers' but something 3D printed may also work out.

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richms

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#3485141 28-Apr-2026 16:05

The one that seems to come up on all the youtubers (geekpi/deskpi) is not an option as far as I am concerned as it uses non-standard US fasteners to hold the devices into the rack. Not cage nuts so I can use rackstuds, but pre-drilled and tapped holes to take some bastard US size thread. Absurd since all the other fasteners on it are normal threads.

I guess I could drill/tap out to M6 like I have done on other things that came with nonsense holes in it, but I would rather not support an Asian based manufacturer that persists with this nonsense.

Richard rich.ms

LightOwl

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#3485174 28-Apr-2026 17:44

Thanks for the replies. Yeah there are many options online.... just not locally stocked or sourced that I can see.

Interesting about the cage bolts. I'd prefer standard nuts as well and the Dynamix has that going for it at least.

I don't have a 3d printer, or the space to put one... and I'm not so keen on a plastic frame..

Tinkerisk

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#3485320 29-Apr-2026 04:28

ikea Harvmatta: (with shelves upside down) after a mandatory fit-check?

source: https://mas.to/@kevinf/116015494838265604

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cddt

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#3485336 29-Apr-2026 07:56

Tinkerisk:

ikea Harvmatta: (with shelves upside down) after a mandatory fit-check?

$45: https://www.ikea.com/nz/en/p/harvmatta-letter-tray-anthracite-00578586/

LightOwl

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#3485452 29-Apr-2026 10:04

Nice - that Ikea tray might do as a temporary solution.

I quite like this look of this one, which uses 2020 aluminium extrusion: https://github.com/geerlingguy/mini-rack/issues/219

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MikeAqua

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#3485459 29-Apr-2026 10:50

LightOwl:

I quite like this look of this one, which uses 2020 aluminium extrusion: https://github.com/geerlingguy/mini-rack/issues/219

M10 sell a range of aluminium corner-joiners and butt-joiners that connect 25.4mm box section in various arrangements. Simple way to build. Then just drill and tap for rackstuds or whatever and fix cover panels. That's my plan, although I'll probably use rivnuts and bolts rather than rack studs. Purely for cosmetic reasons - rackstuds would be a more practical choice.

Mike

richms

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#3485461 29-Apr-2026 10:52

I have seen the strips with square holes for rack stuff come up very very cheap on temu a couple of times, in short lengths. When I last looked because I was wanting to build an AV rack the stuff was not available from Asia and only from the US at stupid prices.

Richard rich.ms

tchart

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#3485550 29-Apr-2026 14:49

got a link for the M10 parts?

richms

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#3485556 29-Apr-2026 15:25

tchart:

got a link for the M10 parts?

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/metal-mate-black-slotted-angle-32-x-32-x-1-5mm-x-2-4m/p/210326 _ I have used them to make brackets for monitors, they have a range of lenghts of it. Not all stores carry it because mitre10 is a pain to buy from.

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/metal-mate-connect-it-anodised-aluminium-square-tube-25-4-x-25-4-x-1-2mm-black/p/213072 and these ones have plastic corner pieces available for them, but are very weak so may have too much slop to make a rack out of.

Richard rich.ms

MikeAqua

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#3485622 29-Apr-2026 16:46

tchart:

got a link for the M10 parts?

Apologies I meant to include it, but I got distracted by the teams call I was on.

Metal Mate | Connect-it 2 Way Corner Joiner 25.4mm Black | Mitre10

25.4mm x 25.4mm x 1.2mm is a fairly common size, so you don't have to use metal mate's aluminium.

Mike

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petearr

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#3487443 4-May-2026 17:13

richms:

The one that seems to come up on all the youtubers (geekpi/deskpi) is not an option as far as I am concerned as it uses non-standard US fasteners to hold the devices into the rack. Not cage nuts so I can use rackstuds, but pre-drilled and tapped holes to take some bastard US size thread. Absurd since all the other fasteners on it are normal threads.

I guess I could drill/tap out to M6 like I have done on other things that came with nonsense holes in it, but I would rather not support an Asian based manufacturer that persists with this nonsense.

Tecmojo is the other commonly recommended one online, and they use the square holes.
Reason I won't buy their stuff is because they plaster their ugly logo that on the front of all their products...

But it's currently $130 for a 4U on Amazon AU which makes them a bit cheaper than geekpi.

richms

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#3487484 4-May-2026 20:50

petearr:

Tecmojo is the other commonly recommended one online, and they use the square holes.
Reason I won't buy their stuff is because they plaster their ugly logo that on the front of all their products...

But it's currently $130 for a 4U on Amazon AU which makes them a bit cheaper than geekpi.

The bigger ones also seem ok priced too, and that log is just a sand and paint from being gone, or put a sticker over it.

Richard rich.ms

rapidanalysis

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#3487809 5-May-2026 17:08

Hi everyone I'm new here so not sure about the policy on self promotion but we are a start up in Australia that caters to home labs.

We print our racks in house or you can print them yourself with our open designs: https://www.printables.com/@Rapid_3032975

We also sell mini rack compatible raspberry pi carriers made in Australia: https://rapidanalysis.com/product/xerxes/

Jeff Geerling has a rack of Xerxes Pis in his latest video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjmKpDNsTa8

Thanks for any feedback you guys might have. -Rob.