Author Topic: Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?  (Read 1946 times)

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Offline BeaminTopic starter

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Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?
« on: October 31, 2017, 12:26:27 pm »
I'm finding I am  getting a really good collection of ebay device testers going but had my first mishap where I set the device down on stray wires and killed it.

Most stores have a really small collection of enclosures that are really over priced. They will charge $5.00 for a little 2"X3" plain black plastic two part box. Having a good enclosure can make your projects turn from home made to professional. Plus with my collection of PSUs I can make them all plug into the wall or all run a set DC voltage: I could build 12V/5V outlets on my bench and have everything just use two types of plugs that run off moded ATX power supplies: they can be had for almost nothing by buying used computers at thrift stores. Connectors also seem over priced and I can never find good knobs or switches/switch covers that look manufactured. It would be good if I could make extension cords out of speaker wire and universal plugs for each voltage. Right now its a mess of alligator clips and circuit boards. Building the enclosure and painting it can be the fun part.
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Offline Back2Volts

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Re: Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2017, 03:29:54 pm »

Most stores have a really small collection of enclosures that are really over priced. They will charge $5.00 for a little 2"X3" plain black plastic two part box.


Check eBay if you don't mind waiting a few weeks for delivery.   
 

Offline chriswebb

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Re: Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2017, 04:07:49 pm »

Most stores have a really small collection of enclosures that are really over priced. They will charge $5.00 for a little 2"X3" plain black plastic two part box.


Check eBay if you don't mind waiting a few weeks for delivery.

Or maybe 3d print your own?  Obviously would require setup costs, but you can get any shape you want without waiting weeks. Also provides a lot of versatility...

The problem is that for places to stock those enclosures they are going to take space from other products, so they are going to mark them up to make a profit. Otherwise not worth it to stock them...
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Offline Mr. Scram

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Re: Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2017, 04:20:42 pm »
Or maybe 3d print your own?  Obviously would require setup costs, but you can get any shape you want without waiting weeks. Also provides a lot of versatility...

The problem is that for places to stock those enclosures they are going to take space from other products, so they are going to mark them up to make a profit. Otherwise not worth it to stock them...
Considering a manufactured look is mentioned, I don't think 3D printer boxes are up to snuff. Also, it sometimes takes a few attempts to get things right, making it ultimately somewhat expensive boxes.
 

Offline rdl

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Re: Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2017, 05:14:57 pm »
There are plenty of sellers on ebay that have enclosures of all types. Here are a couple of ebay sellers I have bookmarked.

http://stores.ebay.com/SuneMall-of-Metal

http://stores.ebay.com/rfsupplier

I'm probably going to buy one of these just to see how good it is. It looks nice in pictures.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-7-x-5-1-x-3-1-Blue-Metal-Enclosure-Project-Case-DIY-Junction-Box-F8Z7/252898313469
 
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Offline innkeeper

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Re: Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2017, 05:29:22 pm »
build your own

Hobbyist and a retired engineer and possibly a test equipment addict, though, searching for the equipment to test for that.
 

Offline bd139

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Re: Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2017, 05:31:03 pm »
Look out for Takachi industrial: http://www.takachi-enclosure.com

They make rather good enclosures for very little money compared to Hammond for example.

Myself, for one off's I tend to use PCB stock. Looks ok from the outside :)
 

Offline BeaminTopic starter

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Re: Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?
« Reply #7 on: November 03, 2017, 04:59:47 am »
I often make my own when I can materials. For example I am taking a single tube AM transmitter with tube and old fashioned tuning dial. Thats being made out of balsa wooden box with tube sticking out the top glowing orange and lit buy a red LED in going to add. It matches this project but doesn't look high-tech. I with I had a milling machine but that's too costly and a3d printer is also costly, takes a long time, costly filament, and electricity and is not too durable.

Some time I can see the box and come up with a project based just of that shape.
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Offline PlainName

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Re: Whats a good/cheap source to get project enclosures from?
« Reply #8 on: November 03, 2017, 08:14:17 am »
If you're handy with some kind of cutter (mill would be good but hand saw and drill would work) you could make custom enclosures from flat perspex. Here's one that was laser-cut, but there are simpler ones:

https://learn.adafruit.com/laser-cut-enclosure-design/case-study



Or just have two flat pieces separated by standoffs:

 


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