Project Boxes

As far as I know, there isn’t a parts list of (only) boxes that have been used in MCLs projects unless one of us “the members” has put one together but I’m not aware of it. As a general idea the boxes used on all projects presented on Patreon (so far!) are made by only 1 manufacturer namely “Hammond”. A very good one by the way.  Now, regarding the video you’ve referred to, that would be Video 66 (21 March 2019) The case of boxes presented there, are all the same size Hammond 1590WB.   Here are some projects that used Hammond boxes that I can recall: —> the SIFT (cap foil tester last iteration), CNCSIP (non contact signal injection probe), and the (thru-hole version) head unit of the Ultra-Probe project, they all used the above same box part number (1590WB). The Cap Discharge Device used a Hammond 1591-E (this is a larger black plastic box!),  the tube amplifier used a Hammond 1590D, the latest iteration of the Cap Leakage Tester project used a Hammond 1550C. In video 36 “Test Equipment Protection Devices”  a Hammond 1551G (a tiny white plastic box) was used. I hope it helps.

PS:  I’ve forgot to mention: in the current project (Ultraprobe) for the base unit a Hammond 1590D is used. But then again, one can use whatever box has at hand and see fit.

@ovi4 I can not say enough, Thank You!
I have been a patreon member since 2017, but have not watched all his videos, due to poor health.
I had ordered the box the capacitor discharge and a HAMMOND – 1550C that I can not find.
Now I finally getting around to start building since I concord my fear of SMD’s.

Larry

I’m glad I could be of help and hopefully you’ll get to do your desired projects soon. As for box choices,  I myself sometimes do my own version of PCB’s  to accommodate the component sizes that I happen to already have at hand (from time to time) and therefore saving some money in the process and because of it, I’ll use the box of my choice and after all, a box is a box, it doesn’t have to be the exact one or does it ?. Now, having said that, MCL has a really nice “sense” of using the right box for the right project no doubt in my mind . Good luck Larry and perhaps you could share some results with us.

Posted by: @ovi4

↑

I’m glad I could be of help and hopefully you’ll get to do your desired projects soon. As for box choices,  I myself sometimes do my own version of PCB’s  to accommodate the component sizes that I happen to already have at hand (from time to time) and therefore saving some money in the process and because of it, I’ll use the box of my choice and after all, a box is a box, it doesn’t have to be the exact one or does it ?. Now, having said that, MCL has a really nice “sense” of using the right box for the right project no doubt in my mind . Good luck Larry and perhaps you could share some results with us.

You are right, a box is a box and one of the reasons I am asking so many questions is, any newcomer just might not know where or what to get started as totally new.Now I need to focus on getting SMD parts, as I have loads of thru hole parts as it looks like I will be doing SMD work from now on.Finding all the parts can be a job in itself, as I will need to find some boxes and the SMD needed to get going.

Larry

@larry_n7luf Larry, have you thought about just printing out your box? That way you can make it personalized and even get the labeling knocked out (with a multi color printer)? Food for thought. If you look at Thingiverse you can find quite a few parametric boxes.

@gbfreeman123 It would be okay for some, but if shielding is needed that would be a problem.

@larry_n7luf Just get some copper infused carbon fiber and a ton of nozzles 🙂

@gbfreeman123 I have harden nozzle and no need to change out anymore because of all the pain to get the z offset right.

@larry_n7luf Another option for shielding a box is to use a layer or two  off wide (stiky) Aluminium tape. The one that is used over the “duct work” in industrial applications

@ovi4 That would be interesting.

Having a electrical connection might be a problem if needed, but can see for EMF shield.

Numerous older/vintage solid state radio receivers in Europe while being built in a wooden enclosure often times, the manufactures used an internal antenna coupled with a 300 Ohms flat cable for the FM reception that was (by the way) made of a very thin layer of aluminum tape and to make a “sound” electrical connection with it, they used either a small self-tapping wood screw or a small nut & bolt coupled with a suitable crimped terminal attached to the wire. The round/ring type or the fork type crimped terminal was used. Sometimes they even went for a riveted type connection!

@larry_n7luf

Hi Larry,

here in Australia, walk in shops like Tandy and Jaycar, the price of project boxes has gone through the roof and really unaffordable, when you can buy them off the internet for ½ the price.

Believe me, I’d much rather support a local business and employ a local but they’re actually pushing me onto the internet.

My advice is to google the size of the box you require, at the top of the page, click shopping, and you will find bargains galore! Sure, you’ll wait for delivery, but you can buy in bulk and save even more.

Please, just look around and you might end up being able to construct a few more of Mr Carlson’s projects and save yourself a few bucks too!

Good luck with the projects, I know I’m excited about getting started! 

Cheers,

Darren

@gbfreeman123 

Hi GB, I’ve just started looking at jumping on the train and purchasing an entry level 3d printer. From what I understood from your previous comment that you can get printers with two colours that 1. makes the box with one colour, let’s say white and 2. The second colour does what the screen printing would normally do??add the “screen printing” but with plastic?? If this is correct, does it turn out great, good or just ok?? Is there somewhere you could point me for a browse, please.

You also mentioned the “Thingyverse” Is this a shop, brand, webpage?? Or is that just a word you use, instead of saying “google it” or look up on the internet?

Cheers, Darren