How come hardly anyone make them?

[Rick Law]

How come project boxes are so rare?

I use soap-boxes for some of my projects.  An Arduino UNO fits rather nice - except perhaps being soap box, the top is not flat so it cannot be stacked, and of course with the non-flat top cover, it makes mounting a keypad or LCD display damn near impossible.  My alternative is a chocolate candy box which is clear plastic (no need for LCD cutout) but very thin plastic.  Most of my projects never get boxed.

I would imagine there should be a healthy market for something just about the size of a soap box but a bit bigger, with break-away punch out (10cm x 4cm) for the popular 20x4 LCD, or the popular Nokia display.  And other break-away holes such as for a pair of  tac-switches or even 5 tac-switch arranged in diamond shape (Up/down, left/right, enter).  So on, so forth.

Soap boxes go for about $1 at Walmart here.  I know with plastic, the molding do represent a steep initial cost, but it should be in the single digital thousands (US dollars).  With ebay/aliexpress, market reach for such item is easily world-wide.   Judging from the variety of just the Arduino NANOs out there, many of them would have been boxed had there been one available at say $2-$5 range.  I would imagine selling 100K boxes/year of such project box is a no-brainer, so ROI should be no-doubt.

Perhaps my estimation here is way off.  But it sure would be nice if we don't all have to buy candies just to get another box.

[phil from seattle]

There are tons of project boxes out there.  Mouser alone has >10K entries in it's "enclosures, boxes & cases" section.

[daqq]

Have you tried looking at your local distributor? They do actually carry an insane variety of boxes and enclosures.

See: http://uk.farnell.com/c/enclosures-racks-cabinets/enclosures-boxes-cases

[mikeselectricstuff]

Hardly anyone...... except Hammond, Teko Bopla OKW, Camdenboss, Fibox, Pactec , Takachi, Deltron...

[iampoor]

Tons of companies still do, the requirement that you list is WAY too specific.

If you need something like that, just a custom cut acrylic box is a pretty nice option. 

[Rick Law]

Tons of companies still do, the requirement that you list is WAY too specific.

If you need something like that, just a custom cut acrylic box is a pretty nice option.

You read my mind better than I expressed myself.

As hobbyist, I was thinking along the line of lower cost amateur stuff.  Stuff I have in mind is to enclose something casual, made for fun, use for fun, and throw away.  An acrylic box probably is indeed the nicest option.

The stuff carried by Mouser look "too serious" - too expensive, too dry looking...   The transparent blue plastic soap box (except for the non-flat top) is funner and "happier looking".  More suitable as enclosure for a fun and short-life disposable fun item.

I suppose our divergence in requirements for "fun" looking comes from: Amateur shows off their "creation" to just a few friends/family.  Who wants to show off something enclosed in what looks like a miniaturized aluminum coffin.

[phil from seattle]

well, you should have said you wanted fun rather than serious. Still, there's plenty of whimsy out there.  https://www.google.com/search?q=arduino+cases&safe=off&rlz=1C1RLNS_enUS770US770&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjHjL7jn_7XAhVY2GMKHcvoDNYQsAQIlwE&biw=1920&bih=949

Or, get a 3D printer and you can really express yourself.

[edavid]

These are cheap, but I don't know if they are fun enough, and you have to make your own cutout:

https://www.banggood.com/10pcs-DIY-Plastic-Project-Housing-Electronic-Junction-Case-Power-Supply-Box-p-1168741.html

Otherwise you might look around at a dollar store.

[jonovid]

I found no saving on individual enclosures shipped from china by aliexpress.
as size vs unit value was poor. its too large for its delivery/postage cost. so local Jaycar retail has the same or similar enclosure bulk buying from china at same price.

irony of the situation,
if an individual Chinese enclosure has electronics in it.  its cheaper. but your enclosure has holes in the wrong places. 
but you do get some free electronics!

[Red Squirrel]

One thing I'd like to see is more rackmount stuff, like short lenght 1Us all the way to larger 4Us.  Don't see much of that, or they are very expensive.

I eventually want to get into high power electronics and I'll want it to be rackmountable, probably end up making my own out of painted plywood, but then there is kinda a fire hazard issue using wood so I will need to find a source of metal to line the inside with.  Maybe ductwork, then use fire caulk for all the seams.

As far as small enclosures there are plenty on Digikey and such.

[rqsall]

I've saved up some VHS tape containers. Couple bucks for 5 or so at a thrift store with accompanying tapes that you can throw away. Haven't actually used one yet, but planning to for next project (peak voltage measurement thingy). https://www.amazon.com/5-Pack-Clear-Plastic-VHS-Cases/dp/B00017Y8DW

[Rick Law]

...
...
irony of the situation,
if an individual Chinese enclosure has electronics in it.  its cheaper. but your enclosure has holes in the wrong places. 
but you do get some free electronics!

That WAS the frustration that led to the initial rant.

I started off wanting to box a simple NANO, with a Nokia display or perhaps a 16x2 LCD.  Idea is to make an interior+exterior temperature display - with intention to add features...

I can buy a bloody pre-made gizmo cheaper than I can just find a darn box for the darn thing.  The only fun I can have with that is choosing a spot and gluing the darn thing on where I can see it.  That really take the joy out of it.