# COTS USB-C extenders as expansion cards **URL:** \ **Category:** Expansion Card\ **Created:** [April 18, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/cots-usb-c-extenders-as-expansion-cards/67869 "2025-04-18T17:20:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![R\_Bailey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@R\_Bailey](https://community.frame.work/u/R_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 5:20pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/cots-usb-c-extenders-as-expansion-cards/67869/1 "2025-04-18T17:20:43Z")
Did a few searches to see if people had already posted about this, but didn’t find anything specific. AIA if I missed something. I’m a cheapskate so I got a refurb DIY and no expansion cards. I figured the cards plugged into USB-C so I should have 4 recessed USB-C ports in my Framework 13. I was right! Been using a small USB-C to USB-A adapter I had laying around that fit nicely in one expansion port and was getting suspicious I wouldn’t find an easy-to-follow [single] USB-C expansion card design in the forums here after lurking for a while. (And the recessed ports don’t feel like they’re rated for as many uses as most USB-C ports, honestly. The one I usually use for power is looser than the rest now, so I’m increasingly motivated to find “real” expansion cards.) Then I found out there were small USB-C “extenders” (rather than adapters like my C-to-A) for folks with Otterboxes and other giant phone cases. How about [one of these](https://www.amazon.com/Basesailor-Adapter-Thunderbolt-Chromebook-Microsoft/dp/B07WH13G67) on a Framework? Any considerations about power/data etc? The one I linked _says_ it does Thunderbolt 3, which is encouraging, and I think 5mm would fit in the slot. And $9 shipped for 3 is similarly encouraging. ![usb-c extender displayed with measurements](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/3X/5/1/517a0546d3d10cf9f991de5b0d9e3d6979833ccf.jpeg) Is there a preferred COTS (commercial off the shelf) solution I’ve missed? ---
**Author:** ![Shiroudan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/shiroudan/32/15620_2.png) [@Shiroudan](https://community.frame.work/u/Shiroudan)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2025, 6:55pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/cots-usb-c-extenders-as-expansion-cards/67869/2 "2025-04-18T18:55:03Z")
> [@Full Power Magnetic Charging Card](https://community.frame.work/t/full-power-magnetic-charging-card/10113): > > I made a inexpensive magnetic charging expansion Card with some off the shelf parts and a 3D printed part I designed. It’s capable of delivering full power and full data transfer rate. Below are the parts a file I used. The rest of the links are in the video since I can only post 2 links as a new user. A link to the video [[Framework Laptop Magnetic Charger Expansion Card Full power!] ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwPOC8_xUMg) Expansion Card File Recommend looking at this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Adrian\_Joachim](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/adrian_joachim/32/9949_2.png) [@Adrian\_Joachim](https://community.frame.work/u/Adrian_Joachim)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 9:26am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/cots-usb-c-extenders-as-expansion-cards/67869/3 "2025-04-22T09:26:13Z")
3D print a body around it and it should work. if they didn’t do anything stupid with those extenders it should work like a regular usb-c expansion card (asuming they just 1:1 the pins). ---
**Author:** ![MJ1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/mj1/32/15519_2.png) [@MJ1](https://community.frame.work/u/MJ1)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2025, 10:32am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/cots-usb-c-extenders-as-expansion-cards/67869/4 "2025-04-22T10:32:54Z")
> [@R\_Bailey](#): > > And the recessed ports don’t feel like they’re rated for as many uses as most USB-C ports, honestly. > [@Framework Tablet lite project (10.5" version of FW tablet)](https://community.frame.work/t/framework-tablet-lite-project-10-5-version-of-fw-tablet/24730/9): > > The USB-C receptacles on the Mainboard are rated to 10,000 cycles for functionality (like most USB-C receptacles), and 1,000 cycles for keeping within the in-spec removal force range (also like most USB-C receptacles). The main thing to be careful of is not torquing the connector, since normally the laptop chassis and Expansion Card prevent that from occurring. Nrp is Nirav Patel, Framework’s founder, CEO. I’d suggest getting at least one Expansion Card to protect the mainboard port. Real or 3D printed, as long as the extender within is solidly mounted to not allow movement.