Monitor Arm for Thin Desk?

[Im_Only_Human]

I’m looking for a good monitor arm for my really thin desk (about 0.6 inches). So far the best one I’ve found that fits my desk is this:

https://secretlab.co/products/magnus-monitor-arm?sku=MAG-MONARM1-BLK

I’m wondering if anyone knows any cheaper options that don’t drastically reduce features (Wall mount is NOT an option). I have about 200 dollars to spend but would like to keep most of it for other setup improvements (like maybe nicer headphones than $30 ones off of amazon or an EVGA keyboard bc I’m a fanboy). 

[Poinkachu]

1 hour ago, Im_Only_Human said:

I’m looking for a good monitor arm for my really thin desk (about 0.6 inches). So far the best one I’ve found that fits my desk is this:

https://secretlab.co/products/magnus-monitor-arm?sku=MAG-MONARM1-BLK

I’m wondering if anyone knows any cheaper options that don’t drastically reduce features (Wall mount is NOT an option). I have about 200 dollars to spend but would like to keep most of it for other setup improvements (like maybe nicer headphones than $30 ones off of amazon or an EVGA keyboard bc I’m a fanboy). 

What features ?

How big is the monitor ?

 

Nothing you can buy from here ?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=monitor+arm+gas&crid=KIQYO6VTH4L7&sprefix=monitor+arm+g%2Caps%2C383&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

 

[Im_Only_Human]

1 hour ago, Poinkachu said:

What features ?

How big is the monitor ?

 

Nothing you can buy from here ?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=monitor+arm+gas&crid=KIQYO6VTH4L7&sprefix=monitor+arm+g%2Caps%2C383&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

 

I believe my monitor is 27 inches and VESA 100x100. The problem with buying the ones advertised on Amazon is that most of them use C Clamps not meant for desks thinner than about .8 inches. By features I mostly meant major differences that would change the product classification from an arm to a stand with only one or two swivel axis’s.

[Poinkachu]

4 hours ago, Im_Only_Human said:

I believe my monitor is 27 inches and VESA 100x100. The problem with buying the ones advertised on Amazon is that most of them use C Clamps not meant for desks thinner than about .8 inches. By features I mostly meant major differences that would change the product classification from an arm to a stand with only one or two swivel axis’s.

Hard to say or judge if it's about the minimum table thickness unless specifically stated by the manufacturer.

Most usually have min & max table thickness info in the product page or pic.

Though, I'm using a North Bayou arm for my laptop. My table thickness is around 1,8cm (0.7 inch).

But yeah, if it's about thickness you can just get a short slab of wood (or anything hard enough) to increase thickness just for the clamp area.

Put the wedge under the table, meaning it will be inbetween the bottom side of the table and the lower part of the clamp.

That way nobody can see it unless they crouch and look for it.

 

If it's about axis movement, just look at the pic and compare the two.

Example : These two have pretty much the same form and movement range.

https://secretlab.co/products/magnus-monitor-arm?sku=MAG-MONARM1-BLK&stop_redirect=true&gad_source=1

https://www.amazon.com/NB-North-Bayou-Monitors-Adjustable/dp/B097SZ393X/ref=sr_1_4?crid=KIQYO6VTH4L7&sprefix=monitor arm g,aps,383

 

 

 

If you want a fancier and/or better brand but less than secretlab, there's VIVO-US too. Which LTT used in some of their video.

I opened some of their product page and they have minimum & maximum table thickness for the clamp info in the spec section.

https://vivo-us.com/collections/single-monitor-mounts

 

Example :

https://vivo-us.com/collections/single-monitor-mounts/products/stand-v101g1

 

They're industry affiliate IIRC.

@VIVO-US is their rep account name in this forum.

Usually they respond pretty fast when tagged.

 

 

[Im_Only_Human]

7 hours ago, Poinkachu said:

Hard to say or judge if it's about the minimum table thickness unless specifically stated by the manufacturer.

Most usually have min & max table thickness info in the product page or pic.

Though, I'm using a North Bayou arm for my laptop. My table thickness is around 1,8cm (0.7 inch).

But yeah, if it's about thickness you can just get a short slab of wood (or anything hard enough) to increase thickness just for the clamp area.

Put the wedge under the table, meaning it will be inbetween the bottom side of the table and the lower part of the clamp.

That way nobody can see it unless they crouch and look for it.

 

If it's about axis movement, just look at the pic and compare the two.

Example : These two have pretty much the same form and movement range.

https://secretlab.co/products/magnus-monitor-arm?sku=MAG-MONARM1-BLK&stop_redirect=true&gad_source=1

https://www.amazon.com/NB-North-Bayou-Monitors-Adjustable/dp/B097SZ393X/ref=sr_1_4?crid=KIQYO6VTH4L7&sprefix=monitor arm g,aps,383

 

 

 

If you want a fancier and/or better brand but less than secretlab, there's VIVO-US too. Which LTT used in some of their video.

I opened some of their product page and they have minimum & maximum table thickness for the clamp info in the spec section.

https://vivo-us.com/collections/single-monitor-mounts

 

Example :

https://vivo-us.com/collections/single-monitor-mounts/products/stand-v101g1

 

They're industry affiliate IIRC.

@VIVO-US is their rep account name in this forum.

Usually they respond pretty fast when tagged.

 

 

I also discovered that my desk has a metal frame underneath it that interferes with most clamps. Slapping a wood slab underneath it like you said might be the best option if I can keep it thin enough. In that case, I can go with a cheaper one off of amazon because they have thicker mount options.

[VIVO-US]

7 hours ago, Poinkachu said:

They're industry affiliate IIRC.

@VIVO-US is their rep account name in this forum.

Usually they respond pretty fast when tagged.

Our clamp-on monitor mounts can all fit a 0.6" (5/8") thick desktop, although how well that works without additional reinforcement can depend on factors such as the monitor weight and arrangement.  For desks that have a metal frame underneath, we've often recommended using wood blocks to help the clamp fit around the frame, and this works very well while adding reinforcement as long as the total thickness of the desktop with frame is within the specifications of the clamp.

[Poinkachu]

3 hours ago, Im_Only_Human said:

I also discovered that my desk has a metal frame underneath it that interferes with most clamps. Slapping a wood slab underneath it like you said might be the best option if I can keep it thin enough. In that case, I can go with a cheaper one off of amazon because they have thicker mount options.

Well, if the metal frame isn't too thick for the clamp, you can just clamp to the metal as well.

Although I don't know how the metal frame looks and positioned, if it's a small width metal and halfway into the clamp section you might still need to incorporate a wedge so the clamp have better gripping surface.

Although, at that point me myself would consider gluing / screwing / duct taping / double taping the "filler" wood onto the table as well.

Just to make sure it stays in place due to only a bit of it being clamped.

 

If you don't mind drilling a hole through your table, there's grommet style clamping too.

 

2 hours ago, VIVO-US said:

Our clamp-on monitor mounts can all fit a 0.6" (5/8") thick desktop, although how well that works without additional reinforcement can depend on factors such as the monitor weight and arrangement.  For desks that have a metal frame underneath, we've often recommended using wood blocks to help the clamp fit around the frame, and this works very well while adding reinforcement as long as the total thickness of the desktop with frame is within the specifications of the clamp.

There you are

Thanks for the info

[ToboRobot]

I prefer to mount them to a wall, that way hitting the table doesn't shake the monitor.

[Im_Only_Human]

10 hours ago, VIVO-US said:

Our clamp-on monitor mounts can all fit a 0.6" (5/8") thick desktop, although how well that works without additional reinforcement can depend on factors such as the monitor weight and arrangement.  For desks that have a metal frame underneath, we've often recommended using wood blocks to help the clamp fit around the frame, and this works very well while adding reinforcement as long as the total thickness of the desktop with frame is within the specifications of the clamp.

This solution seems very good. My dad and I will work at it for a day or two and will update this post if this works!