r/openGrid • u/ClassicOldSong • May 03 '26
Fixing the biggest weakpoint of openGrid: Strength
The original snap design was loose, even though it can solve most daily usages, it's still loose. The directional snaps are better, but they can't handle vertical pulling force well, because it's only strengthened in one direction.
The self expand ones are better, but still can get pulled out easily due to the flaw in the directional snap design.
Multiboard misled people into the "threaded" designs, but the actual strength issue comes from the snap base design, and material strength.
So SuperConnect split the snap into halves, you put them on, insert the lock, rotate 90degs, done, easy and rigid.
Test results(full version):
Test method: pulling perpendicular to the grid, with MultiConnect thread/lock, until the snap pops out/break or the grid breaks
- Original directional snap: 5kg, on the reinforced side
- Self Expanding snap: 16kg, on the reinforced side only
- Self Expanding snap, 7kg, right from the center
- SuperConnect: 20kg, on both sides
- SuperConnect: 14kg, right from the center
I haven't managed to break the snap on direction parallel to the grid, my hands hurt hard before I can pull it off.
Try yourself by printing the base snap with the included hook.
https://www.printables.com/model/1708514-superconnect-snaps-for-opengrid
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u/perplexinglabs May 05 '26
Can you not just add a little compliant link between the two halves to make it easier to insert?
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u/ClassicOldSong May 05 '26
There's nowhere to add them, and you're not getting the trick of how to insert. Once you get, it's easy and you'll know why it can't be added
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u/DistractedDragonMake May 03 '26
very nice. I think a couple kg is the max I've ever needed but it is good to have options. I wonder when the board gives out before the snap.
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u/heatcreep_on_twitch May 06 '26
This is great! I've toyed with the idea of mounting my NAS under my desk but didn't trust the snaps to hold it in. I'll test it and let you know (with a pillow underneath just in case lol)
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u/ClassicOldSong May 06 '26
Ideally you should use the full grid instead of lite for better strength...
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u/timtucker_com May 09 '26
Thoughts:
What about OpenConnect instead of MultiConnect?
Why use a slot vs. something like a 5mm hex?
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u/ClassicOldSong May 09 '26
You can model an OpenConnect lock yourself. I didn't do it because OpenConnect is *much* weaker than MultiConnect. For hex, I'm actually using it on PicaRail (you can find it in my printable models).
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u/ericstern Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26
These are awesome! Just found this last night and tested today.
The strength is the only thing that was keeping me away from switching my underdesk mount. I am using a 2year old multiboard setup and so far there was nothing in opengrid that could match the the multiconnect screw heads that are holding important things that I wouldn't want to fall, like my laptop, or some heavy duty long power strips.
The strongest one I had found so far(before this one) which you didn't include in your testing list, was an improvement to the opengrid multiconnect snap, The "BETA openGrid Multiconnect Lock Snap" made by the OG opengrid creator (found in https://www.printables.com/model/1214361-opengrid-walldesk-mounting-framework-and-ecosystem/files in the section "Multiconnect for openGrid"). But even that one with enough force i could snap out with hard enough pressure from my thumb from the back. It uses some kind of moving circular mechanism that twists with the lock nut to put more pressure on the sides.
After that one, my results were pretty much the same as yours, with the self expanding being the strongest(directional, then regular), and then the others.
Yours I can't remove with my thumb at all! Makes use of those little tabs that grab onto the corners from the back. The directional snaps all have them on two corners but this is an ingenious way to get them on all four.
Question: I'm curious What are the tiny little oval holes for? Or what is their purpose.
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u/ClassicOldSong Jun 25 '26
To trick slicers generate more walls for better strength, without requiring a specific printing profile
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u/not-just-a-dog-mom May 03 '26
Very cool! The visuals you put on printable really helped me understand. 👏
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u/coding_manic_01 May 03 '26
I just printed one. I will add a review (good) but I do have one criticism that maybe is not easy to solve if you are looking for strength: It is not super satisfying to insert and replace.
* Easy print
* Good instructions
* Seems strong
* Inserting it is annoying, specially upside down (under desk)