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Can anyone recommend a good value for money website to buy server racks for indie projects? Server racks seem to be VERY EXPENSIVE based on my quick research:

Can anyone recommend a good value for money website to buy server racks for indie projects? Server racks seem to be VERY EXPENSIVE based on my quick research: https://www.startech.com/ https://www.startech.com/ I guess is because they are niche field targeting a wealthy audience. Technically they don't seem complicated but they likely have to be from very strong materials in order to sustain the weight of many servers' shards.

dewey 2y ago
They can be super cheap or free if you buy used. Check local classifieds.
- giorgioz 2y ago
  I checked ebay but I saw only a 10 units open frame for 200 USD. Is that the used market pricing in 2024?
  - dewey 2y ago
    I see 15U for 50 bucks here. Check more local sites where businesses sell their old ones, same way also works for Herman Miller chairs and other office supplies usually. In my case it’s eBay classifieds but it might be Craigslists or local newspapers for you.
  - swarnie 2y ago
    Try used + collection only within X miles I've found 15U/£50, 18U/£150, 42U/£125 all off a quick first page search.
renewiltord 2y ago
Don't buy new. That's for DCs and hyperscalers. Buy used. Even better: make lackrack
- giorgioz 2y ago
  Thank you! I heard about it and forgot it! "Somehow, it was discovered that Ikea’s Lack table line provides a near perfect fit for rack-sized hardware." https://ericvb.com/index.html@p=3717.html https://ericvb.com/index.html@p=3717.html
bombcar 2y ago
The problem is they’re bulky and extremely heavy. This is a disaster for shipping. You need to use craigslist local or facebook marketplace - even a “racks wanted will remove” ad can sometimes get responses. Or do what I do and use a lack rack until a metal one becomes available. Letting local colleges/companies know can also pay dividends. Beware the differences between a server rack and a telco rack.
JonChesterfield 2y ago
I'm pleased with Orion. A requirement was flat pack as it was destined to go up a home staircase. Cabinet was a good idea, as opposed to rack, as the steel sides and lock are good features for a box of expensive things that lives in a home environment. 600mm wide was fine, there's still space down the sides for cables and the like and that means it goes through doorways.
rapjr9 2y ago
Here are some fairly inexpensive racks, you can probably find others similar to these if you search (unfortunately "rack" is not a great keyword, so add qualifiers like "19 inch" or "relay rack" or "EIA"): https://www.connectzone.com/data-racks.html https://www.connectzone.com/data-racks.html If you only need a small one there's lots of things like this (both straight and angled): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004THBHR0 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004THBHR0 When buying a full rack you have to be careful because there are two incompatible standards, older racks meant for telephone companies and racks meant for music and electronic gear. They have different spacing for the holes. If you get the wrong spacing you can still use it, but you'll either have to drill and tap your own holes or only attached your rack mount gear at the bottom with one screw on each side, rather than two screws on each side and there may be some small gaps between equipment. I think (but do check) the home audio gear compatible standard is the 19 inch EIA rack with 1.75 inch spacing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19-inch_rack https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19-inch_rack Don't forget the accessories, sliding drawers, shelves, screws, sliding shelves, etc. The cheapest racks are designed to be screwed/bolted directly into the floor, but you can bolt them to some wood such as 2x4's to create a base to make it freestanding. All the weight mostly goes behind the rack so the base should mostly extend to the rear (but also somewhat forward, you don't want all your gear falling forward onto the floor either.) Sliding shelves and drawers can shift some weight forward, so plan for that depending on what is placed in/on them.

dewey 2y ago

They can be super cheap or free if you buy used. Check local classifieds.

giorgioz 2y ago
I checked ebay but I saw only a 10 units open frame for 200 USD. Is that the used market pricing in 2024?
- dewey 2y ago
  I see 15U for 50 bucks here. Check more local sites where businesses sell their old ones, same way also works for Herman Miller chairs and other office supplies usually. In my case it’s eBay classifieds but it might be Craigslists or local newspapers for you.
- swarnie 2y ago
  Try used + collection only within X miles I've found 15U/£50, 18U/£150, 42U/£125 all off a quick first page search.

renewiltord 2y ago

Don't buy new. That's for DCs and hyperscalers. Buy used. Even better: make lackrack

giorgioz 2y ago
Thank you! I heard about it and forgot it! "Somehow, it was discovered that Ikea’s Lack table line provides a near perfect fit for rack-sized hardware." https://ericvb.com/index.html@p=3717.html https://ericvb.com/index.html@p=3717.html

bombcar 2y ago

The problem is they’re bulky and extremely heavy. This is a disaster for shipping. You need to use craigslist local or facebook marketplace - even a “racks wanted will remove” ad can sometimes get responses. Or do what I do and use a lack rack until a metal one becomes available. Letting local colleges/companies know can also pay dividends. Beware the differences between a server rack and a telco rack.

JonChesterfield 2y ago

I'm pleased with Orion. A requirement was flat pack as it was destined to go up a home staircase. Cabinet was a good idea, as opposed to rack, as the steel sides and lock are good features for a box of expensive things that lives in a home environment. 600mm wide was fine, there's still space down the sides for cables and the like and that means it goes through doorways.

rapjr9 2y ago

Here are some fairly inexpensive racks, you can probably find others similar to these if you search (unfortunately "rack" is not a great keyword, so add qualifiers like "19 inch" or "relay rack" or "EIA"): https://www.connectzone.com/data-racks.html https://www.connectzone.com/data-racks.html If you only need a small one there's lots of things like this (both straight and angled): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004THBHR0 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004THBHR0 When buying a full rack you have to be careful because there are two incompatible standards, older racks meant for telephone companies and racks meant for music and electronic gear. They have different spacing for the holes. If you get the wrong spacing you can still use it, but you'll either have to drill and tap your own holes or only attached your rack mount gear at the bottom with one screw on each side, rather than two screws on each side and there may be some small gaps between equipment. I think (but do check) the home audio gear compatible standard is the 19 inch EIA rack with 1.75 inch spacing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19-inch_rack https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19-inch_rack Don't forget the accessories, sliding drawers, shelves, screws, sliding shelves, etc. The cheapest racks are designed to be screwed/bolted directly into the floor, but you can bolt them to some wood such as 2x4's to create a base to make it freestanding. All the weight mostly goes behind the rack so the base should mostly extend to the rear (but also somewhat forward, you don't want all your gear falling forward onto the floor either.) Sliding shelves and drawers can shift some weight forward, so plan for that depending on what is placed in/on them.