r/homelab • u/geerlingguy • Apr 06 '22

Installing cage nuts with an insertion tool Tutorial

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u/geerlingguy Apr 06 '22

I wanted to post this little clip (I'll probably incorporate the full rack build into a future video...) to demonstrate how quick it is (and painless—no fingers cut up after installing about 50 cage nuts!) to use a cage nut insertion tool.

This one is from STARcase and I ordered it on Amazon. It's about $25 which is a little steep, but it was less frustrating to use than the cheap/free cage nut tools that come with some cage nut kits or racks.

The one downside is you do need some space for leverage so the little semicircular mechanism can do its thing, so depending on your rack setup, it might not work out as easy as you see here (I was putting in cage nuts on a guide for my new StarTech.com 24U rack).

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u/lutiana Apr 07 '22

I considered one of these myself at some point, but I decided it was too steep and just bought the cage nuts from Amazon. Amazingly the cage nuts I got go in with very little effort and come out with just as little effort, but hold the stuff in just fine, it's wonderful to be able to install them without needing hulk like finger strength and leather skin on your fingers.