Looking for a Source for Cheap Project Boxes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: t1d
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 02:57:31 am
content: Plastic and aluminum. I know to search the usual sources... Ebay, Banggood, etc., but I was hoping someone knew a great direct vendor at cheap prices. I am going to lay in a good stock, because I am tired of not having them, when I need them.Thanks for your help.

author: Distinctly Average
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 03:31:08 am
content: You could also consider a 3D printer and just create custom ones to your needs.I say that as almost always I will order one on the bay of fleas only to find out after a three week wait for delivery that it doesn’t quite fit, or is just too big etc.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 02:10:31 pm
content: These are nice aluminum small boxes that have a PCB slot in both the top and bottom covers. The quality is OK except you need to tap the threads in the ends for the cover screws.Seller response was very good as we asked for a mechanical dimensioned drawing and got the response in 1 day, and delivery also quick, less than a weekNice to have a responsive seller that also delivers quickly these days.Will be ordering a few more for projects (High Power and Voltage AWG Dual Buffer Amps shown).https://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Project-Circuit-Box-Enclosure-Case-Electronic-Instrument-100x76x35mm/312920684044?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649Best,

author: S. Petrukhin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 08:10:35 pm
content: Quote from: mawyatt on January 19, 2021, 02:10:31 pmThis case on Aliexpress is 4 times cheaperhttps://aliexpress.com/item/1005001586583608.html

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 08:25:43 pm
content: Quote from: S. Petrukhin on January 19, 2021, 08:10:35 pmNo, it's actually more expensive one-off and slightly cheaper in quantity..

author: S. Petrukhin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 08:53:54 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on January 19, 2021, 08:25:43 pmI see the price on ebay $7.99, on Ali $1.98. Maybe the price is different for different countries. But I assume that on ebay they sell the same cases made in China.

author: JohnnyMalaria
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 11:17:33 pm
content: Quote from: S. Petrukhin on January 19, 2021, 08:10:35 pmDon't follow the aliexpress.ru link unless you always want to visit it instead of .com even if you go to .comIf you do, you have to find the option in Russian to change the language to English and country to US etc so that .com takes your to .com and not .ru

author: JohnnyMalaria
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 11:20:00 pm
content: Quote from: S. Petrukhin on January 19, 2021, 08:53:54 pmFree shipping on eBay. $7.22 or so shipping to US on Ali, so eBay is cheaper (to the US).

author: S. Petrukhin
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 11:25:42 pm
content: Quote from: JohnnyMalaria on January 19, 2021, 11:17:33 pmYes, sorry, I forgot this stupid feature of Aliexpress with the language and gave the link .ru Corrected the link just in case.

author: Martian Tech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 03:20:42 am
content: I don't know what you consider cheap prices, but have you checked Circuit Specialists?https://www.circuitspecialists.com/electronic-enclosures

author: xani
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 11:43:00 am
content: Quote from: Distinctly Average on January 19, 2021, 03:31:08 amBuy a box first before making PCB, then just print PCB on piece of paper and fit. Especially for stuff that have embedded PCB rails or similar mountsOr cut some cardboard to the size of the box you want to buy to get idea, maybe even use it as base to design frontpanel.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 11:47:58 am
content: Or just find the vendor of the box, download their catalogue so you can have all the relevant box drawings without the need of doing the guesswork.Look for YGKT and SZOMK for example.Quote from: mawyatt on January 19, 2021, 02:10:31 pmNonsense. I've never met a box without already tapped slots for he screws. They are almost always supplied with tapped holes and the correct screws.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 02:31:44 pm
content: Quote from: S. Petrukhin on January 19, 2021, 08:10:35 pmNot including shipping which total was $7.99 ($9.01 including shipping on Aliexpress), and we received it in less than 1 week not the usual 2 to 3 months delivery time from AliexpressBest

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 02:37:18 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on January 20, 2021, 11:47:58 amNo nonsense as the case was not tapped and required tapping, see belowBest,

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 03:00:11 pm
content: Quote from: xani on January 20, 2021, 11:43:00 amThis is why we requested a drawing of the case to check dimensions, when the case arrived less than a week later the dimensions were compared and accurate. Here's a couple experimental PCBs (high power/voltage AWG dual buffer amps) that are going into the cases. The PCB layouts were created to fit the case and we found the 3D PCB layout feature to be valuable in "seeing" how things line up and arranged.Your cardboard PCB template idea is good if you don't have accurate case dimensions and want to make sure the PCB will fit properly.Best,

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 06:32:00 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on January 20, 2021, 11:47:58 amLots of extruded cases intend for you to use self-tapping screws. They extrude the channels but don't thread them.I'll add my vote for 3D printing your own enclosures. Anything up to 6x6x6 can be done on a sub-$200 Ender 3 printer and you can have it exactly the way YOU want, with holes in the correct places etc. Also faster than ordering online. Likely cheaper too. So other than precise, faster, and cheaper it's a terrible solution.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 08:13:59 pm
content: Quote from: IDEngineer on January 20, 2021, 06:32:00 pmWhat lots? I have already used over a hundred of these aluminium extruded boxes from china, with about 12 different types (SZOMK and YGKT manufacturers as I ahve recommended above). ALL of them, had already tapped holes for metric machine screws and included the correct screws within the ordered package.Give me a link to such an enclosure please, that intends self-tapping screws to be used, or that comes with not tapped holes. I am yet to see one like that.3D printing is great for bragging on hackaday, not for production type of stuff. Not even for small scale production.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 08:16:24 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on January 20, 2021, 08:13:59 pmhttps://www.hammfg.com/electronics/small-case/extruded/1455

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 08:24:04 pm
content: I was going to post Hammond too. A quick scan of their website reveals LOTS of extruded enclosures using self-tapping screws.Circuit Specialists is another. Here's just one example from their website:https://www.circuitspecialists.com/extruded-aluminum-enclosure-6016h-85.html"The end caps have four mounting holes and are affixed to the extrusion with self-tapping screws."I've seen way more self-tapping extrusion enclosures than ones where they took the time to tap them. Why bother with tapping when self-tap screws work very well and aluminum is the perfect substrate for them? It takes an otherwise efficient, continuous process (extrusion) and requires post-machining to tap all those holes. A waste of time and money.EDIT: I forgot Bud Industries (example: their EXT series of extruded enclosures). Hammond, Bud, and Circuit Specialists are not exactly obscure, unknown sources of enclosures.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 08:31:05 pm
content: I thought the OP's requirement was CHEAP. Not an overpriced Hammond, that can't even tap a hole for a proper machine screw, for that kind of premium pricing.

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 08:37:17 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on January 20, 2021, 08:31:05 pmThat may be, but we're addressing your assertion of "Nonsense", they all come with threads and machine screws. That's very clearly NOT the situation. What solution works for the OP is separate from the question you raised regarding the scarcity of tapped holes. I think the latter has been resolved, so now the thread can go back to the OP's topic.On that score... based on his comments I still think 3D is a viable solution. It doesn't sound like he's going into even limited production on a single size: "I am going to lay in a good stock, because I am tired of not having them, when I need them." That sounds like someone who needs the occasional enclosure for their occasional project. 3D is perfect for such things because he doesn't have to make his project fit whatever enclosure he happens to have in stock, he can make THE enclosure that best suits what he's doing at the moment.YMMV.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 09:40:34 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on January 20, 2021, 08:13:59 pmAs you've now been enlightened there are many extruded aluminum boxes without tapped holes, like in my 1st link, even included a picture, so the onlynonsenseis your commentQuoteOP said nothing about production, 3D is a great for prototypes. Expect many good engineering types use these 3D printers for prototypes and then after the design is verified go for a production molded version. Wish we had a printer for exactly this reason, printing quick, inexpensive prototypes, and another good reason to consider such!!Best,

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 09:50:49 pm
content: Except if you would at least dare to look what I have originally reacted to. I stand behind what I have said. Said box has holes tapped with over 99% certainity.Quote from: mawyatt on January 19, 2021, 02:10:31 pm

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 09:55:40 pm
content: Quote from: mawyatt on January 20, 2021, 09:40:34 pmPrototyping enclosures is exactly why we got our first 3D printer several years ago. The process is really smooth... the Mechanical Engineers create the part design in CAD (usually SolidWorks), which also happens to generate .STL files. We can then create as many prototype enclosures as we wish while the ME's are working with the toolmakers and molding shops to get production ready.It's also incredibly powerful for confirming fit and getting customer approval before you start cutting metal for molds. We've even done preproduction runs (a few dozens units at a time) using 3D enclosures while we waited for the injection molds to be cut. In one particular instance this allowed the customer to ship some early units before our injection mold was ready. I personally delivered those units, wrapped in bubble pack and carried in a giant wheeled suitcase as checked baggage on my flights. The customer was delighted and pressure was taken off of Engineering, all thanks to a 3D printer you can now buy for <$200 on eBay, Amazon, etc.I've spent far more on far less useful tools.

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 10:00:51 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on January 20, 2021, 11:47:58 amThat's a very sweeping statement, not limited to any single enclosure. Indeed, "they" is plural. I think everyone here is clear on what was said, and what was meant, and what is the truth. Let's let the thread revert back to the OP's question, shall we? That's why I'm discussing 3D printers, for example... for the $$$ he would spend "stocking up" on a variety of sizes he could have a 3D printer that gives him any size/shape/configuration he wants, PLUS would have countless other applications too. Speaking solely for me, I believe this is a very viable answer to his query. He may not choose it, and that's totally up to him, but it's at least on topic to the OP's question.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 10:17:56 pm
content: Quote from: Yansi on January 20, 2021, 09:50:49 pmNope wrong again, I know what I wrote (see above if youdareto read) and I know for100%certainty that this box had no tapped holes.So areweagainspewing morenonsenseBest,

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2021, 10:20:33 pm
content: Quote from: IDEngineer on January 20, 2021, 09:55:40 pmPlease quit twisting my arm (wallet)Any recommendations for an inexpensive, easy to use 3D printer for use as mentioned on this thread?Best,

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2021, 12:02:13 am
content: Quote from: mawyatt on January 20, 2021, 10:20:33 pmAs I said earlier, the Creality Ender 3. I'd spring for the optional glass bed which will add perhaps $25.Our first 3D printer was a Lulzbot Mini, which we still have (and is cranking out a production fixture as I type this). $1200 and worth every single penny, we bought a US-supported, commercial style unit because we wanted a tool not another hobby. However, times have changed. My son picked up an Ender 3 a couple of years ago and claimed it ran rings around the Mini. He was correct. Other than not having a self-leveling bed, it's better in almost every way. Most importantly it natively handles flexible (TPU) filament better, which is darned handy when you're breadboarding things. It also uses 1.75mm filament, which is much more common now than the ~3mm (really, 2.85mm) filament used by the Mini. The main thing the Mini has over the Ender 3 is speed... it can really lay down the filament and it auto-levels instead of you manually tweaking things. For larger things in standard plastic (PLA) the Mini is the machine of choice, it can cut print time in half.We now have an Ender 3 sitting next to the Mini. Each gets used for the things it's better at doing. If/when one of these dies beyond repair it's going to get replaced with the larger version of the Ender which has a cubic foot of print volume. That's not necessary very often but there's no substitute when you do need it. Like larger enclosures!

author: Distinctly Average
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2021, 01:26:28 am
content: Ender 3 is great for a cheap printer but does take a bit of learning to get decent prints from, and sometimes a bit of tinkering to keep it running well. If you want straight out of the box and print with ease the the Prusia printers are very good but cost more.

author: IDEngineer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2021, 01:31:28 am
content: Quote from: Distinctly Average on January 21, 2021, 01:26:28 am100% agree on every point. The Prusia printers are the source for much of the technology and code used by everyone else. If you spend more, you get more. As I said earlier, our first one was a fully commercial Lulzbot Mini specifically because we needed an actual tool, not a hobby. But we paid a lot more that we could have for something else. Once we had a few years of experience with the Mini the Ender 3 felt like a safe bet, and it's worked out just fine.The good news is the Ender 3 has a HUGE worldwide online community. Pretty much anything you can ask has already been answered, with videos and photos to go with the answers. So you're not totally alone in the wilderness. But if you want more features, or telephone support, you'll pay more. I like having the choice of where I want to be on that spectrum, and we have a machine from both ends of it!

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2021, 02:40:25 am
content: Quote from: Yansi on January 20, 2021, 09:50:49 pmAnd I will throw right back at you, 'nonsense'.

author: t1d
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2021, 04:39:21 am
content: Everyone has given such excellent recommendations, suggestions and advice. Thank you so very much for your effort to help me.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2024, 03:16:50 am
content: I just saw that JLCPCB has a MASSIVE catalog of aluminum project boxes.. Looks like they are trying to be the McMaster Carr of China with all the mechanical stuff. They claim the mechanical stuff combines shipping with JLCPCB. Cool.https://jlcmc.com/product/U01/aluminum-enclosures