19" computer rack choice

[Donald]

Some racks have square holes for cage nuts and other have a threaded hole. On the surface the threaded hole would to be easier and better but some of the better brands like StarTech have square holes for cage nuts.

Thoughts?

 

[BHopkins]

I lean towards the cage nuts. They can be easily replaced when one is cross threaded.

 

[Pew]

Cage nuts. The threaded holes will 100% strip.

 

[dogememe]

As annoying as cage nuts can be it’s even more annoying when you strip the threads on a rack and can’t use that hole anymore :/

 

[wwillson]

when you strip the threads on a rack and can’t use that hole anymore :/

Or drill the hole out and put a nutted bolt in its place.

 

[mk378]

Square holes are now the standard. There is equipment made to snap into square holes without the use of nuts.

 

[Lubener]

I have populated so many racks during my career having either threaded holes or speed nuts with clips. I always preferred the racks having threaded holes on its rails. Having to install the clips was an added step racking equipment. I never had the threads strip on a rack's rail. It usually happens when an inexperienced person using a cordless drill to install the rack screws doesn't have the drill torgue set properly.

 

[Donald]

I have populated so many racks during my career having either threaded holes or speed nuts with clips. I always preferred the racks having threaded holes on its rails. Having to install the clips was an added step racking equipment. I never had the threads strip on a rack's rail. It usually happens when an inexperienced person using a cordless drill to install the rack screws doesn't have the drill torgue set properly.

Didn't people's Dads teach them to start all screws by hand and the "feel" of screwing in a screw with a screwdriver. Mine did. (OK when he taught me we did not have cordless anything except a cordless flashlight).

 

[Lubener]

Didn't people's Dads teach them to start all screws by hand and the "feel" of screwing in a screw with a screwdriver. Mine did. (OK when he taught me we did not have cordless anything except a cordless flashlight).

I don't think cross threading was the major issue but overtightening the rack screw using a drill.

If there was a situation where paint got into the threads, I had a 10-32 thread chaser to clean things up.

 

[dogememe]

Didn't people's Dads teach them to start all screws by hand and the "feel" of screwing in a screw with a screwdriver. Mine did. (OK when he taught me we did not have cordless anything except a cordless flashlight).

In a world where nobody cares about what they do… you expect people to do things right?

Except I went to three different Vans shoes stores yesterday looking for a specific pair and everyone was so helpful. So I guess a culture of customer service and doing good work still exist. But that’s so irrelevant, my bad.

 

[dogememe]

Or drill the hole out and put a nutted bolt in its place.

Acceptable for a homelab for sure.

 

[Pew]

Square holes are now the standard. There is equipment made to snap into square holes without the use of nuts.

Those are so nice. Our Synology, HP, and dell rails snap right into the square holes.

 

[Donald]

Those are so nice. Our Synology, HP, and dell rails snap right into the square holes.

How about something like a APC UPS? It weighs about 50 lbs.

 

[Pew]

How about something like a APC UPS? It weighs about 50 lbs.

Oh boy I hope they do, I don't recall of our tripplite one does; but our older dual APC 2200 system does not

 

[mk378]

Since it is the densest in weight, a UPS should always be placed at the bottom of the rack to keep the overall center of gravity low. APC supplies wide head bolts or special washers which pass through and engage square holes. Cage nuts are not needed.