Test Boxes

[Cigarsnob]

Looking to resupply our stock of test boxes as we're running low at the company I work for. My old boss had a huge stash of project boxes like the Pomona 3301.

http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/3301/3301-ND/736487

I've grown to be a fan of these boxes, but the prices are ridiculous. Can anyone here recommend similar boxes that are cheaper?

I'm looking for card guides and EMI shielding.


Thanks

[German_EE]

That price is indeed excessive, I suggest that you try Alibaba.com.

[MagicSmoker]

Yeah, that's a terrible price, but I recommend you steer clear of Alibaba unless you like gambling and/or don't mind waiting 6-8 weeks to find out if what was shown on the website and what you get remotely the same thing. If you want to take a swing on cheap boxes from China at least get them from fleabay using paypal.

Otherwise, two enclosure manufacturers (in the US) I can recommend are Polycase (plastic) and Lansing Instrument (extruded aluminum).

[edavid]

For Hammond-like metal enclosures, Tayda is pretty good.  Shipping takes about a week.

http://www.taydaelectronics.com/hardware/enclosures.html

(They don't have card guides though.)

[rdl]

That type of box is an extrusion. They typically come as a kit, a one or two piece extrusion, 2 end caps and screws. You can find plenty on ebay - just search for aluminum project box. The smaller ones are very cheap. Since the removable end caps are flat, they are easy to work on if you need to drill or mill holes and openings.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=aluminum+project+box

[eas]

How's this?

It has multiple slots for boards in either horizontal or vertical orientation, unlike a lot of the project boxes I've found on ebay.

[nanofrog]

Have you looked into volume pricing for that particular box (phone calls/emails)?