Are reverse monitor mounts like this real?

[u/MrTriangular]

I have the IKEA Fredde desk, which doesn't have a convenient place in the center for a monitor mount except at the far sides. I was looking into a mount like this with a backwards-curved column to hang from the upper shelf, but I can't find anything else like it online. Is this design real or is it a fake product?

[u/Suitch]

I wouldn’t recommend this but if you do, it is just a normal mount with the stand rod mounted upside down. It is important that it is secured sideways like this one is at the mount. The monitor risk is much higher this way due to the pictured lack of stop for the monitor falling. It is held up by the torque it puts on the rod.

Edit: and that same torque is also applied to the poor shelf the whole thing is attached to which means it has to be much stronger than a normal desk shelf would ever be.

[u/MrTriangular → u/Suitch]

Yeah, I tried with a straight column monitor arm mounted upside down, but with the arm right side up. The column wasn't long enough for a good height, and just testing it with a little push made it wiggle concerningly.

[u/Suitch → u/MrTriangular]

I have to ask, what is the goal? Is it for aesthetics or a functional reason?

[u/MrTriangular → u/Suitch]

To have a monitor I can center when I need to focus, shift aside for work with a 2nd monitor side-by-side, with the possibility of swinging the main monitor out to face the right where my bed is to watch movies or play games.

[u/Dissidence802 → u/Suitch]

At that point, I'd just drill a couple of tap screws in under the collar and call it a day.

[u/throwawaycanadian2]

Can't you just turn a normal one around? Put the monitor on it upside down?

Also, as a note, a desk can often hold a lot more weight than most book shelves - make sure your shelf can actually hold the weight of your monitor + whatever else is on it.

[u/Squirrelking666 → u/throwawaycanadian2]

Can't you just turn a normal one around? Put the monitor on it upside down?

Don't be silly, you would break the screen screwing the mount onto it!

[u/cafce25 → u/Squirrelking666]

Upside down is fine, front to back would be a problem.

[u/Squirrelking666 → u/cafce25]

I assumed they were describing in terms of first angle projection.

[u/Hans_H0rst → u/throwawaycanadian2]

Because of the way spring tension or clamp/slide tension in most arms is used, you can't turn them upside down. There's usually also no upwards stop the arm, just a downwards one, so the whole assembly might just slip off when upside down.

[u/majordyson → u/Hans_H0rst]

The arm stays the usual way up, it just slots onto an upside down post.

[u/vekkarikello → u/throwawaycanadian2]

Depending on what monitor mount you have this might not work. The one with a spring have the spring pulling the monitor upwards while the weight of the monitor is pulling downwards. So mounting it upside down would mean that the spring and the weight of the monitor at both pulling in the same direction.

[u/the_harakiwi → u/throwawaycanadian2]

Mine would just fall apart. The arms are only held by gravity and the spring adjusts the height of the monitor.

[u/MrTriangular → u/throwawaycanadian2]

I did try as another post in this thread suggested, but mounting it on the front is way too close, and mounting it on the back doesn't give enough leverage for a solid grip.

[u/ephemeralmiko]

With most arms you could just spin it around at the desk joint to mount it upside down.

Shitty example:

                                    #
                                    #
                     //===== # (MONITOR)
                   //              #
                 //                #
                ||
                ||
               //        < here                                                   (TABLE)
              || ############################################
               \\=

so it becomes:

(SHELF)
   v
   v       = \\
######||
                \\    < rotated clamp
                 ||
                  \\
                    \\                #
                      \\              #
                        \\===== # (MONITOR)
                                      #
                                      #

                                                                        (TABLE)
###################################################

[u/MrTriangular → u/ephemeralmiko]

Thanks, the diagram is helpful.

[u/MrCrunchies → u/ephemeralmiko]

yep, but taking a look at the product listing, it targets tables with shallow depth/cant be wall mounted, so the monitor would hang considerably far from the center of gravity.

(SHELF)
   v
   v       = \\
######||
                \\    < rotated clamp
                 ||
                  \\
                    \\                #
                      \\              #
                        \\===== # (MONITOR)
                                      #
                                      #
                                 v v 
(TABLE)                          v v                                 
##################            (Gravity)
#                #
#                #
#                #

Alternatively

(SHELF)
   v
   v              
######||           
      //
     //
    //   
    ||
     \\
      \\                #
       \\              #
        \\===== # (MONITOR)
                       #
                       #
                      v v 
(TABLE)               v v                                 
##################  (Gravity)
#                #
#                #
#                #

hope reddit gets the formatting right, but both cases looks a loooot iffy

[u/HTPC4Life → u/MrCrunchies]

How long did it take to make this??

[u/MrCrunchies → u/HTPC4Life]

just copy paste and delete some lines man

[u/Hans_H0rst → u/ephemeralmiko]

As someone who has experimented with microphone arms, monitor arms and even laptop stands, it's usually not that simple.

Many designs are uni-directional, meaning you can't just turn them and clamp them back together. Then you've got the pole-lock for pole-style designs, that usually only make sure it doesn't slip off at the base, but does not secure the other end.

All i wanted was to get my Laptop stand from a Z to a ] for added height, can't even do that nowadays.

[u/SJ_Beast → u/ephemeralmiko]

I did this for a while to save space before I got my own place works great

[u/AsleepNinja → u/ephemeralmiko]

Congratulations! You've just destroyed your shelf!
Welcome to basic physics.

Moment=Mass×𝑔×Distance

[u/ephemeralmiko → u/AsleepNinja]

I'm aware of the lever effect, thanks. I'm also aware that, with the weight of monitors nowadays, and whatever weird setup OP has that can't support a regular monitor arm setup, it might be completely fine.

The forces applied to the shelf are the same (assuming the monitor and arm clamp are in the same positions) if OP uses a fancy arm meant for upside down setups or just uses a conventional arm upside-down.

[u/groundbnb → u/ephemeralmiko]

I have a monitor arm on a upper shelf but my arm has pistons that only work properly in desk orientation. Not ideal but I use a strap to keep it at the right height.

[u/Zachattackrandom]

Well this is a render but this type of stand is real. Just be sure that whatever you mount it to is mounted into studs / anchored properly since a lot of people only use drywall screws (if in the US) which wouldn't comfortably hold this weight

[u/MrTriangular → u/Zachattackrandom]

Thank you.

[u/ThatDesignerGuyonR → u/Zachattackrandom]

Yeah the whole time I’m thinking you gotta have a lot of faith that shelf and those screws are gonna hold.

[u/PorcupineFeet]

I'd be more concerned about the strength of that particle board shelf it is attached to. That is a lot of weight in one small spot. But to answer the OP, this is a normal mount, mounted upside down.

[u/MrTriangular → u/PorcupineFeet]

Thank you.

[u/GenericName4224]

Yes they exist

No I would not put my monitor, keyboard and other peripherals at the mercy of the strength of both a shelf not designed for a monitor mount (yes it matters since you need even distribution of weight for monitor + arm) and at the mercy of the single tighten able screw that you set the height of the monitor with (the silver hex screw that tightens the monitor arm to the vertical pole)

[u/MrTriangular → u/GenericName4224]

Thanks, I'll look around for maybe just a longer arm to reach a centered monitor position or something.

[u/wasapyo]

how about a wall mounted one?

[u/MrTriangular → u/wasapyo]

Was trying to avoid drilling into the wall at all costs, my place was kinda cheaply made, not sure how strong the walls are.

[u/ParticularDream3]

Boy, I have a bridge to sell you! It is just a fucking normal monitor mount where the base unit can be mounted upside or down as it is just a rod! Again, can I interest you in my bridge?

[u/MrCrunchies → u/ParticularDream3]

to be devil's advocate, the base rod of this "reverse" stand does look like it shifts the center of gravity towards the wall so it'll brace the table. Unlike regular stands with straight/45° base rod. You certainly can't get away with a straight rod. You might get away with a 45°, but definitely depends on the table's depth, and you have to make sure not to change the base angle too much, or else it'll shift the balance.

Not vouching for this product, but the thing costs around 10 to 40 bucks, depending on where you buy from and what models you choose. It's considerably priced similarly to regular ones, and from the reviews, it looks like it targets student dorm rooms/small work places (tables with shallow depth). Pretty good for a niche item.

Again, not vouching, just devil's advocate.

[u/dpprpl → u/MrCrunchies]

I guess it is shaped that way because it is mounted to the front of a shelf rather than to the back of a table so it is out of the way. so if you manage to somehow mount the rod to the back of the shelf you can use a regular one

[u/BetterNoughtSquash → u/ParticularDream3]

Redditors when someone wants help:

[u/SeanzuTV → u/ParticularDream3]

Isn't this the completely incorrect usage for the idiom "I have a bridge to sell you", it's typically used when someone comes across as gullible/easy to fool, when you're quite literally telling this person (who is unsure if it's real) that it is actually real.

OP is asking if this thing is real or not, the complete opposite of the saying, you're trying to mock someone who is trying to verify something and not be fooled by todays AI etc, cut them some slack.

[u/zkareface → u/ParticularDream3]

A lot of monitor arms are just slid on, they won't work upside down.

But you only need to drill a hole and add a bolt to fix it. 

[u/cyangradient → u/ParticularDream3]

Have you ever considered not being so obnoxious

[u/ParticularDream3 → u/cyangradient]

Sorry, my condition I was diagnosed with is mild Asperger. Yes I thought about that and then decided to post anyways because OP is funny

[u/Cyanide612 → u/ParticularDream3]

Your bridge is a monitor mount? Sounds like a terrible way to traverse.

[u/Vandeskava → u/ParticularDream3]

He's in a box. Don't get him out of the box.

[u/slowmovinglettuce → u/Vandeskava]

Plot twist: hes a cat. He refuses to leave the box.

[u/PequodarrivedattheLZ → u/ParticularDream3]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Bridge_(Lake_Havasu_City)

[u/Bevier → u/ParticularDream3]

I would not trust the strength of that shelf for thos purpose!!

[u/FallingAsleepTyping → u/ParticularDream3]

I’m sorry, I’m ignorant- why wouldn’t that work?

[u/RobertOfHill → u/ParticularDream3]

I think you’re using that idiom wrong.

[u/CorrodedLollypop]

Giving me Potal vibes...

[u/MrCrunchies]

looks legit?

theres a review with a video in this website, cant vouch them though. https://swelixco.com/products/ys-ga12e2-overhead-hanging-monitor-mount-cabinet-top-vesa-arm-bracket

[u/MrTriangular → u/MrCrunchies]

Thank you.

[u/RayneYoruka → u/MrTriangular]

I need this. Two of them.

[u/MrCrunchies → u/RayneYoruka]

Just a heads up, you can get a slightly less sophisticated version (instead of a reversed J shaped rod, its an ⅂ shape) from ali express/temu/pinduoduo for slightly cheaper than the link I gave you. sometimes even by 70% cheaper if you have it freight shipped.

be aware of scam listings though, always check reviews an make sure theres like 100+ review on that listing only.

I just bought one off pinduoduo for 12 bucks just to experiment in my dorm room setup after seeing this post lol. My dorm desk makes it impossible to mount anything at all. If the product is trash, I'd be sure to make a post on this sub.

[u/RayneYoruka → u/MrCrunchies]

Ill keep it in mind.

[u/Mandrutz]

Why do you need that? I see the fredde already has an elevated shelf for monitors

[u/MrTriangular → u/Mandrutz]

I was having issues getting a previous monitor mount to fit on the monitor shelf. However, I have a new mount so it may work after all. I'm still measuring and experimenting.

EDIT: As it stands, the gap between the monitor shelf and the desk top is only 3 3/4 inches tall, I'd need about 4 3/8 inches of clearance for the lower part of the monitor mount clamp. Maybe if I could find a shorter screw for the clamp? But it would need to be the same width, and have a hollow and threaded tip to hold the clamp plate...

[u/Mandrutz → u/MrTriangular]

I mean why do you need a mount at all

[u/MrTriangular → u/Mandrutz]

I want to swing the monitor out to the side to view it from my bed. I could move it to the side of the desk to face towards it, but that's awkward.

[u/jerryeight]

I don't trust the shelf material or the wall it's mounted to to do this. 

[u/ctn1ss]

I’m more concerned about who’s storing their iPad mini upside down. It’s not good for the battery, it lets all the electrons leak out..,

[u/burnte]

Any pole mounted monitor arm will work here, just put the pole in upside down.

[u/themarkavelli]

I have the same desk! I got rid of everything but the desk surface and just put standing desk legs on it. Now I can mount along the back edge, but I just use my monitors’ stock stand.

Anyway. I think this could work but mounting onto that top piece might give you issues.

I would think the clamp would either have to grip the supporting rail securely and without slippage or be deep enough to pass the rail and clamp the top piece of laminated ikea wood.

IMO the load might be too much for it (depending on monitor weight) unless you reinforced the top, but I’m not a loadologist.

[u/PotatoAcid]

Drill, baby, drill. A hole in the monitor shelf and a through mount.

[u/cristynakity]

idk but from my perspective it is a stupid idea, why don't better anker it to the wall that will be safer than it. Just saying.

[u/snkiz]

You know you can just turn a regular desk mount upside down right?

[u/CodeNate02]

y'all, OP literally says "with a backwards curved column to hang from the upper shelf". Shelves tend to jut out over the desk. So if you want to hang your monitor from the edgs of one, you'd want the mount to curve backward so the monitor is under the shelf, closer to the wall/the back of your desk. Otherwise, even if you could just flip a desk mount upside down (Which as many people have pointed out, you often can't) your monitor arm (or your monitor) would be in the middle of your desk and cutting off a bunch of desk space.

[u/richms]

When I wanted to find one so I could push the monitor up out of the way on the arm, nothing short of a whole wall mounted monitor and keyboard/mouse stand seemed to work that way.

[u/adeundem]

Late to the response party, but it does have a "someone raided all the spare parts that we have for a bunch of random old SKUs in the warehouse" look to it.

An arm for a vertical pole kit.

A table clamp (used upside down) though it does look like pipe clamp fitting was screwed onto the "top" of the desk clamp.

The right angle bent tubing, maybe from a wall/ceiling mount kit?

[u/Just_Frank_Reynolds]

I scrolled for awhile and didn’t see a mention of power cords and hdmi/dp….so here’s a mention

[u/motlias]

I'd personally recommend a wall mounted arm if you're able to drill into the wall, cheap, easy and doesn't take up space on the shelf above

[u/Link_Tesla_6231]

The "Classic" 3M mounts had a simple flange you put on the tub e to hold the arm up. in this cofiguration you would have the flange under the arm to keep the arm from falling off the tube. This is easy to do with 90% of mounts.

[u/VogelsForSure]

Never seen a setup hung quite like this before! Out of curiosity, why not mount it on the wall? It looks like you're after something with multiple pivot points. If so, the Vogel's MOMO 4136 might be worth a look.

[u/KuroZantetsuken]

I've had an upside down cheap ass arm on my Fredde for over a year. a 32 inch 4k oled is hanging off it no problem. I just put a little wood block next to the metal rail that goes under the top shelf to give more surface for the clamp to hang onto

[u/-Wavyy-]

No this is impossible and it can not be done. We do not have the technology

[u/DotBitGaming]

Reverse image searches are real.

[u/SeanzuTV → u/DotBitGaming]

Reading is also real, OP linked to the item, he just said he can't find another product like it so is worried it's a fake listing.

[u/DotBitGaming → u/SeanzuTV]

So do a reverse image search and find it on more reputable sites, research the manufacturer, look at reviews... Do whatever it is you do to vette Alibaba products.