StarTech.com 36U Heavy Duty Open Frame Server Rack - 1000lbs Weight Capacity - 4 Post Adjustable Depth (18.3" to 39.2") Network Equipment Rack (4POSTRACK36) Black

For 350$ you can't beat this! I was looking at paying that much for a used server rack locally. The only thing cheaper are 2 post units which really don't stand up to heavy 4u's and UPS equipment. I think it's funny this is allowed with Prime shipping - I paid the 3.95 overnight shipping just to see if I'd actually get it next day - and I did! I was amazed.The box this comes in probably weighs 120lbs, and is rather large. Setup/assembly was fairly straight forward, I believe it just used an allen wrench and a phillips (it came with the allen). It took about 30 minutes to fully assemble it all, didn't really bother to read the inadequate instructions. I ended up getting  StarTech.com Caster Kit for Open Frame Rack 4POSTCASTER  to put on the base of it so you could easily pull the rack out from the wall. Even on carpet with 7x 2u UPS units and 3x 4u servers with networking equipment, I can role this server rack out a few feet to get behind it - no problem. If you want casters on it you might want to put them on before you finish building it and loading it up with equipment. If you get different/cheaper casters just make sure they can stand up to the weight of this unit fully loaded (reason why I was scared away from some cheap HF casters or something instead).The 36u was perfect size to fit in the low ceiling office corner I wanted to put this in. It is EXTREMELY durable and strong - I've had a couple cheap 2 posts before and they were aluminum that could bend and strip out mounting holes so easily. I have absolutely no worries with this unit, it will last as long as I do. It has two solid plates on the bottom that give it depth adjustability - which is really nice to get it down as small as you want (no need for a 3ft deep rack if you wont use it). It comes with plenty of cage nuts, screws, and washers to get you started; so you don't need to run out and get any if you don't have them already (I didn't know that when purchasing it off Amazon - didn't see it listed anywhere). All 4 posts have square rack mounting holes obviously so you can mount rails and vertical equipment like power strips and wire ducts on the back no problem.There really isn't anything I'd change about this rack. Simplistic design, extremely durable/strong, depth adjustable, and very very reasonably priced. Thanks Startech and Amazon!

Pros:* Unique height makes it easy to wheel through doors in older homes that have high carpets but doesn't sacrifice too much space from the standard 42U by dropping to the next common height of about 22-25U* Relatively easy to assemble. Comes with all the parts necessary to do the job. Some corners are tricky but it's do-able with some patience* Very sturdy once assembled to correct size(s) - see cons* Can easily be modified with some cutting/drilling to support more standard features such as 0U PDUs, wire management, etc. See misc notesCons:* Rack is only sturdy when depth is 37" or less (side arms overlapping at least 2 holes). At the 39" max depth, it's a little bit loose* Floor plates evenly cover the bottom only when mounting depth is 37" or more. Any less and the plates have to overlap at an angle. Not a big deal since most of the time you need to run wires out of the bottom* Units are not numbered so it makes it harder to line up and install larger equipment, especially ones that need all 4 posts* Only 1 of floor plates can be screwed down with the included hardware. Had to go buy extra nuts, machine screws, washers, etc to screw down the other one* Lack of side-mounting options out of the box for standard items such as PDUs and wire management* Does not support mounting servers with sliding rails without modification (see misc notes)Misc Notes:* This rack is not a "true" 4-post rack: it's actually 2 x 2-post racks screwed together with 6 arms. This means that instead of the standard open right angle posts you see with most 4-post server racks, you have a U shaped post with 2 sets of square holes, one on the inside and one on the outside* Having inner holes that line up exactly with the outer holes makes it impossible to install sliding server rails such as ones from SuperMicro, Dell, etc which expect the space behind the holes to be empty. One would expect to install servers in a 4-post rack like this* I took an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and cut off all the inner holes so I could mount servers in mine* I had to buy a set of stickers/magnets to number the rack units* I drilled holes into the side of the posts so I could mount 0U PDUs and wire management* Shipping could have been better. My rack arrived with 1 of the inner square holes damaged and unusable, but this worked out ok since I had to cut them all out anyways. If you end up with one where an outer hole is damaged, then you're out of luck

Typically I read all instructions first regardless of what this chinese garbage says, and then proceed with assembling. But I've put together many racks in my life for data centers and had NO issues... except for this garbage. Firstly, the way it comes packed is in such a way that if you decide you want to RETURN this garbage, you cant. It will be impossible to put all the stuff back in the box and secure it properly - it's absolutely absurd. Second - the instructions dictate to first assemble the bolt plates to each side that allow you to fasten this rack to the floor - fine, so I do that. Then, they tell you to assemble the rack from the TOP DOWN for stability throughout the procedure. The problem is - when you get to the END OF ASSEMBLY AND NEED TO PUT THE LAST STABILIZING BARS ON - THE PLATES FROM STEP 1 ARE BLOCKING YOU FROM DOING SOHOW DO YOU NOT CATCH THIS IN QA? DID YOU EVEN ASSEMBLE IT YOURSELF? DO YOU HAVE JUNIOR ENGINEERS DOING THIS?I would LOVE to return this product, but have no idea how i would ship it back to them. Not only are the instructions garbage, but the rack itself comes damaged. Just look at other peoples pictures. In my case I got lucky with minimal damage. I just needed a server rack for my equipment and this has quickly turned into a STUPID nightmare that I'm going to have to disassemble and reassemble because of their carelessness in the CHINESE INSTRUCTIONS WITH POOR PICTURES.IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THIS - THERE IS NO NUMBERING ON THE RACKDO NOT buy their sticker numbering because it is ALSO GARBAGE which fell off overnight. Luckily I can crumple that up and ship it back to them and maybe they will rethink shipping garbage to people from now on.I wish I had two extra hands to give this rack 4 thumbs down.

This is a solid server rack. Good quality product.

I have requested a refund and a courier to pick this item up as the package is heavily damaged I have filled out the forms twice now. Damaged product Still sitting on my deck ONE MONTH LATERWILL BE DOING A VISA CHARGE BACK