Looking for a project box to match this one - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2020, 07:08:46 pm
content: I have a couple of project cases which I have built valve testing equipment into. There are a couple of further pieces I want to build and it would be nice to have them match. Does anyone recognise this case and have any idea where I can get one. It’s about 230mm wide I’d guess. Will post dimensions later.

author: WattsThat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2020, 07:24:25 pm
content: Kinda sorta like what is pictured:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32901775288.html

author: aargee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 12:05:57 am
content: Meanwhile in Australia...Altronics and Jaycar sell very similar boxes, not sure where in the UK you might buy them e.g.https://www.altronics.com.au/p/h0482-260x190x80mm-abs-grey-black-instrument-case/orhttps://www.altronics.com.au/p/h0480f-200x155x65mm-abs-grey-black-instrument-case/Look pretty close.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 01:36:39 am
content: Thanks. The Aussie one looks closer but I can’t see the top. I’d really like the exact box as I’m making a set of devices that will work together. I saw it on eBay a few months ago but you get thousands of boxes and it’s hard to narrow it down. I can’t remember the seller or if there was a brand.

author: jesuscf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 04:19:35 am
content: The box looks a lot like the series 1598 from Hammond Manufacturing. DigiKey carries some. Sadly I can not find one with the same venting holes.

author: jesuscf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 04:37:00 am
content: I think I found it:https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Heavy-Duty-PVC-Large-Clamshell-Instrument-Case-Size-3-1-x-10-x-7-4-IC115B/181238406775?hash=item2a32a69e77:g:9VoAAOxyKsZRvOFUEdit: also available from Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Desktop-Project-Enclosure/dp/B010TE6DSO

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 06:39:42 am
content: As a side note, the "ventilation" slits on that enclosure look like they are just symbolic in nature. They will prevent the build-up of excessive pressure inside the case, but not do much more, I guess.But I take it that your valves, and other heat sources if applicable, will all be mounted on the outside?

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 10:19:12 am
content: That is the same box! Amazon will not send it to the U.K. and the American seller would cost me $50 plus when it came in they would charge me vat making it $60 and a £18 handling charge :-(Still need to find it in Europe but many thanks for spotting those.

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 02:41:17 pm
content: Do you have your uTracer 3 in that box?

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 03:06:34 pm
content: I have a duokit2 with some extras in one and two transformers, a 20v and 12v wired forward and reverse giving me 300+ volts AC with the other 20v giving DC and filament heater voltages. I want one for an output stages and one for a tracer. I might need different output stages in their own. I just think it would look neater with all my valve stuff in matching boxes.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 03:11:46 pm
content: I’m developing a valve amp brick system. An input brick, bricks for 9 and 8 pin valves, a brick for tone stack, bricks with replaceable pots, a brick with breadboard, a reverb brick etcThe idea is that you could hook together any idea for a valve amp in ten minutes and swap components in and out.These are finished 9 pin bricks and a tone stack brick (the pots are also switchable with different values and there is a bypass. The banana plugs are in, out and ground)

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 03:15:06 pm
content: All the bricks are the same size. The first is an octal brick but I’ve run out of the right octal valve sockets. That valve is just sat in the hole

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 03:16:38 pm
content: So like a plug and play guitar amp?

author: nali
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 04:21:13 pm
content: As it happens I have a near identical case sitting on a shelf gathering dust. It's slightly different to yours (vent holes) and a bit larger @ 300x200x75mm but you're welcome to it for postage.

author: jesuscf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 04:40:34 pm
content: Quote from: cowasaki on March 02, 2020, 10:19:12 amI feel your pain! Found another source in USA:https://www.alltronics.com//cgi-bin/item/IC115B/10/10%22-(W)-x-7.4%22-(D)-x-3%22-(H)-Heavy-Duty-Desktop-Project-Box-Even if the shipping cost is high, they list the box for 12.95$.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 06:08:39 pm
content: I have one of those also. It's a dead ringer for the one in that ebay listing above. Pretty sure I bought it from Jameco many years ago for a never finished project. Only $8.95https://www.jameco.com/z/WCA-H2507-ABS-Heavy-Duty-Instrument-Case-10x7-5x3-1-_18877.htmlThey have a data sheet from the manufacturer which might be helpful in tracking down a local source.https://www.jameco.com/Jameco/Products/ProdDS/18877.pdf

author: jesuscf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 06:16:58 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on March 02, 2020, 06:08:39 pmExcellent! Now we have a part number: WCA-H2507. Now it is easy to find a supplier in the UK:https://quasarelectronics.co.uk/Item/wcah2507-abs-heavy-duty-instrument-case-250x190x80

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 07:13:38 pm
content: Quote from: nali on March 02, 2020, 04:21:13 pmThat would be very useful thanks, I will PM you.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 07:15:00 pm
content: Quote from: jesuscf on March 02, 2020, 06:16:58 pmBrilliant. Thanks! I knew that someone on here would be able to locate them :-)

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 07:16:39 pm
content: Quote from: rdl on March 02, 2020, 06:08:39 pmThanks for your help. That data sheet is useful too.

author: cowasaki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2020, 07:25:12 pm
content: Quote from: Johnny10 on March 02, 2020, 03:16:38 pmAbsolutely that!I have finished building 2x 9 pin valve sockets (usually preamp valves) and a "Tone stack" which usually sits after the first couple of stages of preamp and before another couple then the power amp.So with the power amp box, these two 9 pin bricks, the input stage I am building tonight and the tone stack brick we have a working guitar valve preamplifier.I have the octal bricks ready but no sockets (which are on order) that will create the power amplifier section with an output transformer and speaker.I will be launching all of the bricks plus others like a distortion brick, reverb brick and tremolo brick on thingiverse when they are complete. Either than or I'll become a millionaire and sell them fully built.The tone stack box is the one with 3 pots, 3 banana sockets, a switch and 8 holes with .254" headers inside them. THIS setup is a standard FENDER tone stack. By changing the 3 caps and resistor then turning the box over and swapping out the pots for different values you can get a Marshall or Vox tone stack. You can also mess around and have something in between. The Tone stack box can be used stand alone to add a tone stack to an amp without one and then you can hard wire it once you have a sound you like.