I've got a spot on a wall in my basement where I want to hang a custom shelf for my network equipment, some smart home equipment and a NAS. I'm looking for inspiration as to what to build and how. Looking for more custom stuff and less of the typical computer multi U rack systems.
Can you all share some pictures of similar shelves/racks you've built?
If you are considering a rack, here is where to go:
Star Case Mfg. Co.
I’ve bought several racks from them. You can build your own rack from rails, corners, etc. They’ve got kits where you specify height & depth. Quality stuff, great company.
If this is your first rack, be warned that they are HEAVY.
I used to have a wooden shelf larger than rack size mounted on an overhanging edge of the wall. Then I ran 1"x2" pieces up to the floor joists above it that were mounted the standard rack-width apart. Drilled holes in it to be able to mount rack equipment in it and firmly secured it to the shelf. This allowed me to mount a full 48 port switch, keystone jack panel, and 24 port backup switch into a "rack". The shelf then held normal UPS, 12v UPS, router, cable modem, and some other misc equipment.
Of course I eventually replaced it with a 45U standalone rack... which I have now replaced with a 28U enclosed rack-case setup (still incredible overkill, but I mounted a door/window sensor to it so it lets me know on Hubitat if anyone opens it up). Now I just need to figure out what to do with that free-standing rack sitting in my basement all this time. I only used it for a couple years
Ha! Have enough space in my enclosed case for a number of miners... if I could afford to be buying the rigs needed for it nowadays.
But considering there are whole companies dedicating resources to it everything I have read says it is a losing proposition for home users anymore once you factor in the electricity and hardware costs.
More just hoping a friendly neighbor moves in with similar interests and could use it.