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Project boxes (electronic ones)
Slimy38 - 21/12/17 at 10:03 PM

All, I've done a few little projects in my time, but one thing I always miss is the box. For example, I have a small bluetooth receiver hooked up to my cars aux in, it's only a tiny circuit board but for hosting it... i just wrapped it in insulation tape and stuck it in the glovebox!!

I want to start making things a little better presented, particularly for things that will involve Pi's, Arduino's etc. Problem is I want to stay with the locost theme, so that means nothing from Maplin or even prebuilt. I'm thinking flat pieces of material, either folded or cut into shape. Two interlocking u shapes pretty much what I'm thinking for a basic box construction, nothing fancy.

I'd like to be able to cut it with a stanley knife rather than a hacksaw (so no metals), foldable would be nice but cut and glue will be fine. Is there anything that is easy to work with but still cheap? I've been looking at some plastics, but as ever the range is bewildering and I'm not that familiar with their individual characteristics.

birdii - 21/12/17 at 10:39 PM

I bought a little circuit device recently and it was housed in a piece of the rectangular cable conduit with clip on lid, the ends were blocked up with silicone or glue. I thought it looked neat and until really close inspection i thought it was purpose made.

wicket - 22/12/17 at 07:56 AM

These are very nice & cheap, £6.20 for ten and free P&P of the smallest size.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-Plastic-Small-Tiny-Enclosure-Project-Boxes-UK-Made-Ideal-for-Electronics-/182041466795

http://www.terrington-components.co.uk/

Slimy38 - 22/12/17 at 08:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by wicket
These are very nice & cheap, £6.20 for ten and free P&P of the smallest size.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ABS-Plastic-Small-Tiny-Enclosure-Project-Boxes-UK-Made-Ideal-for-Electronics-/182041466795

http://www.terrington-components.co.uk/


This is the thing I was finding though, especially on Ebay. The price and quantity seemed ideal, but the size of 23 x 16 x 11 is just too small. The interior measurements bring it down to 19mm x 12.5mm x 7mm. I know everything is miniature these days, but I'm still working with old fashioned capacitors and resistors! Their largest ones are better, but still a bit tight for what I'm working with.

What would be useful is to find out what standard sizes there were, then I could just search on Ebay for the cheapest. But I have no idea what is used for boxes, if indeed there is a standard.

HowardB - 22/12/17 at 08:25 AM

Maplin used to be my shop of choice for plastic enclosures, ebay is more common now, the other option is to 3D print something more specific to the project - the only other place used to be junk sales/ flea markets for electronic/radio hobbyists,...

hth

trextr7monkey - 22/12/17 at 08:35 AM

Rapid used to make loads of little enclosure boxes
Other possibilities would be some sheetscof vac forming plastic (HIPS) high impact polystyrene which you can warm up and fold with a hot air gun or off cutscof any of the thermoplastics which behave in the same way you can fasten circuit boards in with pillar s and small screws then fold sides and top over
HTH
Mike

nick205 - 22/12/17 at 08:49 AM

Our engineers at work had similar requirements for prototype builds. They've been using a local electrical parts distributor for cheap boxes - Medlock IIRC.

loggyboy - 22/12/17 at 09:26 AM

Find a mate with 3d printer.

Slimy38 - 22/12/17 at 10:00 AM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Find a mate with 3d printer.


I'm kind of wondering whether I can justify putting one together myself...

Slimy38 - 22/12/17 at 10:02 AM

quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
Rapid used to make loads of little enclosure boxes
Other possibilities would be some sheetscof vac forming plastic (HIPS) high impact polystyrene which you can warm up and fold with a hot air gun or off cutscof any of the thermoplastics which behave in the same way you can fasten circuit boards in with pillar s and small screws then fold sides and top over
HTH
Mike


Ah, interesting idea, I remember vacuum forming plastic from school but it could work quite well here. I might have to look at that.

tegwin - 22/12/17 at 10:08 AM

3d print is the way to go....

For high quality there’s a few Connie’s that can print for you using SLS technology giving parts that look and behave practically like an injection mounded piece... only issue with plastic enclosures is dealing with the heat from your electronics!

loggyboy - 22/12/17 at 10:46 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Find a mate with 3d printer.


I'm kind of wondering whether I can justify putting one together myself...

I'll be ordering one in new year. Let me know the sizes and Ill use that one of my initial test projects.

Badger_McLetcher - 22/12/17 at 10:56 AM

Cheapest 3D printer I've seen - comes in kit form. Not going to give you top notch output, but then for this kind of price you shouldn't expect it!

https://uk.gearbest.com/3d-printers-3d-printer-kits/pp_337314.html

gremlin1234 - 22/12/17 at 10:58 AM

since you are designing it on a breadboard, how about housing it in a sandwich box.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sistema-KLIP-Container-200-Pack/dp/B002KKCLM8/
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sistema-Knick-Knack-Pack-Multi-Colour/dp/B00O467CAM/

Slimy38 - 22/12/17 at 11:17 AM

quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
since you are designing it on a breadboard, how about housing it in a sandwich box.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sistema-KLIP-Container-200-Pack/dp/B002KKCLM8/
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sistema-Knick-Knack-Pack-Multi-Colour/dp/B00O467CAM/


Oddly enough my first port of call for a solution was the supermarket for this sort of thing!! I was looking for bog standard tupperware, IE ones without those big clips. But you have just reminded me, Ikea are very good when it comes to storage...

Slimy38 - 22/12/17 at 11:19 AM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Find a mate with 3d printer.


I'm kind of wondering whether I can justify putting one together myself...

I'll be ordering one in new year. Let me know the sizes and Ill use that one of my initial test projects.


Raspberry Pi and Arduino sized boxes are a good starting point, there are some 3d printer 'plans' (is that what they're called?) out there that might be worth a practice.

bi22le - 22/12/17 at 09:00 PM

Many moons ago when I was doing my GCSEs my electronics class had sheets of PVC sheet, about 4mm thick.

We cut it to size, including curved edges, and then used plumbers vulcanising glue to stick it together.

You can even glue thick wall tubes into the corners and screw into them for removable backs.

The end result was a very strong and custom made box. Once painted it made a pro looking job.

FuryRebuild - 24/12/17 at 12:19 PM

I got one and never looked back. I use it for all sorts. If I want to put a bracket on a wall, print it. My socket tidies - printed. Shapes for my composite engine mounts before I mound them - printed.

quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Find a mate with 3d printer.


I'm kind of wondering whether I can justify putting one together myself...