Decent project boxes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 04:16:43 pm
content: Can somebody provide me with links of providers for decent project boxes ?If they are in the USA will be a plus.Good quality and good looking boxes.Thanks.

author: just
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 05:12:55 pm
content: Maybe herehttp://www.hammondmfg.com/you can find some boxes for your projects.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 05:46:23 pm
content: not thewww.polycase.com?

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 06:30:11 pm
content: Great links, thanks guys.If somebody have more options, please post.

author: A-sic Enginerd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 06:52:06 pm
content: Another thanks!I too have been frustrated with what I've found and how much they want for them. These are really nice options.Any comments on dealing with them? In stock / out of stock, fit and finish, anything else? (just curious and good info to have is all)

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 08:25:16 pm
content: I've often been frustrated by searching for enclosures. Most enclosures are quite deep, but not very high. I often need the height/width for front panel space (eg. LCD + buttons), but don't need much depth, for example like many recent instruments (eg. Rigol DSO). Larger cases (like most bench equipment from manufacturers like Agilent) are also hard to find.Many seem really ugly and scream 'amateur' or seem designed for mounting to the wall in industrial settings, although there are some exceptions like some from Hammond.Even with the parametric search from Digikey, you can't just ask for a case with inside dimensions at least l x b x h, you have to scroll through the whole list manually.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 10:04:35 pm
content: Talking of project boxes, when I was in Tokyo a while ago I found this ridiculously small snap-together box.Internal dims are about 7x12x6mm!Now what can I build in it....?

author: charliex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 10:10:56 pm
content: http://www.protocase.com/

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 10:29:44 pm
content: Quote from: charliex on May 25, 2010, 10:10:56 pmI didn't know that one, thanks for the link. Just tried a quick quote for a basic 5x10x7 inch u-shaped enclosure, 300 GBP ($450) in quantities of one ($350 for US customers), and not much less for higher quantities, ouch! For that money, I'll make do with standard enclosures or re-use old stuff.

author: redek
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2010, 11:51:49 pm
content: Quote from: just on May 25, 2010, 05:12:55 pmI've used a few high quality aluminum enclosures from them. They are really good. The larger sizes are fairly expensive, but fairly reasonable for a smaller box or enclosure.

author: rossmoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2010, 12:07:32 am
content: I've always been frustrated by high cost or unavailability for special-purpose enclosures too. A friend of mine recently purchased a CNC plasma cutter and I've been thinking about buying a metal brake and making my own. There's a lot of room for projects with good enclosures, just look at all of the kits on the web without anything to protect the circuit board.@mikeselectricstuff, That looks like a pill box to me.

author: A-sic Enginerd
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2010, 12:38:05 am
content: Quote from: rossmoffett on May 26, 2010, 12:07:32 amOh how I long for my long awaited shop space. Having a brake and a shear would be awesome. For a project I'm starting on I was even considering taking some scrap oak plywood I have sitting around, sand it down and shoot it with some lacquer and call it done. Talk about going old school retro.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2010, 04:13:00 am
content: polycase let you design your own case in CAD and submit to them for sample and pricing, i never tried one, just by reading the site info. but in case i have a serious project... i think i'm gonna hire them coz so far, thats the only site i found that let us design our own shape etc. + the existing design price seem to be reasonable, the question is just the shipping cost.and... they got youtube promo video as well... just type in "polycase" in youtube.protocase seem nice too... for "custom" metal enclosure. thanx 4 d info

author: MTron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2010, 01:09:47 pm
content: I'm with Just, i just finished a new project (built a vacuum tube amplifier...old school i know!)Anyways, i used a Hammond enclosure, it was reasonably priced and well built!Hammond sells to a LOT of distributors, and if you find an electronics surplus or supply store chances are they will stock some Hammond enclosures. That's where i got mine, along with some Hammond transformers

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2010, 01:50:22 am
content: I often recycle cases from old electronics and other items.My first Hybrid Digital audio amplifier, in a case from an old 802.11b router:http://ecorenovator.org/forum/appliances-gadgets/358-amanda-harris-prius-home-audio.htmlAnother Hybrid Digital audio amplifier, built inside a cheap iPod cradle:http://ecorenovator.org/forum/appliances-gadgets/984-allie-moore-ihybrid-40-next-generation-ti-hybrid-digital.html

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2010, 02:21:36 am
content: What about buying some off-the-shelf case from Hammond or the like, thenreplacing the front and/or back panels with custom stuff made byemachineshop.com or frontpanelexpress.com?Anyone tried that?Scott