EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
General => General Technical Chat => Topic started by: gboop on June 09, 2011, 02:42:34 am
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I am looking for small metal electronic enclosures for a circuit board. Looking for about 6 x 5 inches in size and three inches high. Hoping to find a source at $3 to $4 US for small quantities. I am located in the U.S. Any ideas for a good source? I am finding the pricing at the normal distributors such as Digikey, etc. too pricey.
Thanks.
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For a metal enclosure at that price, you are going to have a hard time.
I use allelectronics.com for boxes. They have some Aluminum cast boxes that are nice and cheaper than other places. 5.23"x5.3"x2" for under $10 is not bad. I doubt you will find a metal box that size for those prices. For $3-4, you have to go with plastic.
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Even with plastic enclosures of that size you'd be hard pressed to find them at $3-4. I use digi-key for anything electronics related usually unless I can find a better deal.
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This is exactly the dilemma I am facing. Spec'ed the solution for a plastic case at $3 to $4 which I can find... and then found out that metal was wanted. Blows the cost basis out of the water. Hoping to find something in metal closer to $4 than $10.
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How many do you need ?
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I will need 10 for a proto run and then another 80 to 120 over the following 12 months. The numbers are not huge.
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How much would it cost to buy sheet metal? If it were me I'd use a vice and a blowtorch and hammer myself an enclosure..or even cut one up and build one.
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This is exactly the dilemma I am facing. Spec'ed the solution for a plastic case at $3 to $4 which I can find... and then found out that metal was wanted. Blows the cost basis out of the water. Hoping to find something in metal closer to $4 than $10.
That sounds like a change to the spec and needs a change request, including the associated costs. If they change the spec, they get to pony up the money. Can't get something better for nothing.
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This is exactly the dilemma I am facing. Spec'ed the solution for a plastic case at $3 to $4 which I can find... and then found out that metal was wanted. Blows the cost basis out of the water. Hoping to find something in metal closer to $4 than $10.
That sounds like a change to the spec and needs a change request, including the associated costs. If they change the spec, they get to pony up the money. Can't get something better for nothing.
This is the path I am pursuing. Looks like we will have some success.