A simple box with LEDs and switches to test digital inputs and outputs.
Wooden 2-post open rack frame

My first “rack” was made of wood. It monitored, meaning displayed and alerted, on some metrics on my Linux server. And controlled a few lights and the alarm system in my room.
I really enjoyed making the computer control the lights.
Parallel port I/O module

Get 5 inputs and 8 outputs from a computer printer port using only a few transistors and resistors.
AVR production line stop alarm

Simple alarm circuit to monitor up to eight inputs, from e.g. production equipment. If any inputs are triggered an alarm is sounded. Uses the AVR AT90S2313 microcontroller.