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DIY Stompboxes => Building your own stompbox => Pictures => Topic started by: guitardanhx on July 30, 2013, 03:02:42 PM

Title: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on July 30, 2013, 03:02:42 PM
Thought I'd just share these pictures of my latest pedal builds - I've been trying to come up with new ways of building the enclosures to set them apart from the standard Hammond types.

First up is a wooden sided enclosure with a diamond etched paisley design on top:

(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard10of18_zps217c19fd.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard10of18_zps217c19fd.jpg.html)

Next is simple folded aluminum sheet, but I've added some neat LED detail under the transparent knob:

(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard8of18_zps6bba81f7.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard8of18_zps6bba81f7.jpg.html)
(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard7of18_zps33328e05.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard7of18_zps33328e05.jpg.html)

Next up a custom welded sloped case - I'm lucky enough to have married a woman who's dad runs his own metal fabricating company ...

(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard12of18_zpsf2b054b0.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard12of18_zpsf2b054b0.jpg.html)

and finally another wooden sided effort, this one's the Engineer's thumb compressor ...

(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard15of18_zps7272f7e7.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard15of18_zps7272f7e7.jpg.html)

Thanks for looking!
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: bluebunny on July 30, 2013, 03:52:03 PM
Quote from: guitardanhx on July 30, 2013, 03:02:42 PM
Thanks for looking!

Thanks for posting!   :D

Great looking pedals - nice board.   8)
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: JoelTone on July 30, 2013, 04:54:28 PM
Looks great! Details?
Are all the graphics screen printed? (Besides the etched one and Flux Capacitor, of course)
What's the construction of the wood paneled ones like? Is it as simple as wood panels glued onto the side of a 1590B/BB?
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on July 30, 2013, 05:22:30 PM
Graphics are all waterslide transfer printed at home. I'd love to have them screenprinted so I could use white graphics on the darker enclosures, but that's a little out of my skill set!

The wooden sided ones are made completely from scratch. I fold aluminium sheet  and then rout the edges of the wooden sides so they have a raised profile that fits into the folded metal. I'll try post some pictures of the inside so you can see what I mean.  I'll put up pics of the other folded aluminium style disassembled too.

Thanks!

Dan
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: mth5044 on July 30, 2013, 05:57:32 PM
Holy sheeeet that's beautiful.
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: rousejeremy on July 30, 2013, 06:33:25 PM
Unreal. Congratulations!
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: jimilee on July 30, 2013, 09:30:57 PM
That's very very cool there. You're definitely unique. Is that a flux capacitor I spy there?
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on July 31, 2013, 03:59:42 AM
Haha yeah. That was my first pedal build, before I refined my finishing technique. Just a standard 1590b with a laser printed sticker of a flux capacitor shoved on top. It's the Small Time delay I think.
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: Mustachio on July 31, 2013, 05:47:07 AM
That Bass Booster is top shelf! Awesome stuff man , what are you using to bend the boxes ? Some type of a break ?
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on July 31, 2013, 05:55:11 AM
Yeah I like that one too. Set up the design in Illustrator then exported it to a DXF - the automatic flatbed engraver did the rest. Might start using it more, or selling custom engraved face plates for people!

I bent the metal using one of these: http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-305mm-sheet-metal-worker-prod23311/ (http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-305mm-sheet-metal-worker-prod23311/) not sure if it's that exact model, but it gave me lovely 90 degree angles. The first one I did was in a vice, came out kind of twisted and wouldn't line up properly. Pays to have the right tools for the job I guess!

I'll be posting inner shots of a folded pedal later so you can all see the construction techniques used.

D
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on July 31, 2013, 06:06:30 AM
OK, so here're some pictures showing how the wooden sided ones are assembled - you should be able to see the groove that's been routed around the edge, allowing the wooden sides to sit inside the folded metal. I used strong Gorilla Glue to hold them on, seems to have done the trick without needing additional screws.

(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard1of5_zps4281db65.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard1of5_zps4281db65.jpg.html)
(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard2of5_zps3b45ae9c.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard2of5_zps3b45ae9c.jpg.html)
(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard3of5_zps6362eb3a.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard3of5_zps6362eb3a.jpg.html)


Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: deadastronaut on July 31, 2013, 08:11:02 AM
cool builds... 8)

i'll ask.. ;D

the hot chilli, is that a rotary encoder type led setup?..or just leds in a ring?

Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on July 31, 2013, 08:14:52 AM
I toyed with the idea of a rotary encoder, but there wasn't enough room in the case! So it's just 7 LEDs mounted in a ring that light up when you press the footswitch. Pictures don't really do it justice - the transparent volume knob looks ace on a dark stage.

D
Title: Re: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: ch1naski on July 31, 2013, 09:00:45 AM
Oh, it looks ace. They all do. Incredible. Nice job.
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: deadastronaut on July 31, 2013, 09:38:03 AM
cool.. 8)

next question... ;D

diamond etching ?...
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: Hexjibber on July 31, 2013, 10:08:55 AM
Quote from: guitardanhx on July 30, 2013, 03:02:42 PM
First up is a wooden sided enclosure with a diamond etched paisley design on top:
(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard10of18_zps217c19fd.jpg)

That is one damn fine looking pedal man! Top work!
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on July 31, 2013, 10:13:39 AM
Diamond etching perhaps the wrong terminology. I should have said diamond engraving! Oops. I have access to a flatbed diamond-tipped CNC engraver a bit like this one: https://www.ishor.com/images/ImagesI/is400-3.jpg (https://www.ishor.com/images/ImagesI/is400-3.jpg) You clamp the flat metal sheets to it, load up an Autocad drawing and it does the rest. The metal sheet I used is a special type, which has a black coating on it. As the sheet is engraved the metal below shows through silver.
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: Mustachio on July 31, 2013, 11:52:02 PM
I seen Mac's break set up a while back and have had the itch to get my own, especially after seeing your finished boxes! ..... So last night before I fell asleep in a haze I ordered an 18" hand break from harbor freight for really cheap with their 25% coupon right now!

Can't wait to bend me some metal (http://www.runemasterstudios.com/graemlins/images/rockout.gif)
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: TG Flatline on August 01, 2013, 04:46:39 AM
Bass Booster and Chilli one are my faves! Really digging those a lot!
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: Pettol on August 01, 2013, 05:31:05 AM
Amazing!

Gonna have to steal that wooden side design.
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on August 01, 2013, 08:52:42 AM
Hehe I dammit should have patented it.  :icon_biggrin:

Surprised nobody has come up with something similar before actually. I was just looking for cheaper ways to house my pedals, using what I had lying around in the workshop. The Hammond style boxes used to be probably the most expensive part of my build!

D
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: liagasg on August 01, 2013, 09:05:05 AM
Quote from: guitardanhx on July 30, 2013, 03:02:42 PM
(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard10of18_zps217c19fd.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard10of18_zps217c19fd.jpg.html)

Absolutely amazing piece of work. How did you transfer the design? Press n peel?
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on August 01, 2013, 09:16:00 AM
Thanks!

It was engraved on special coated metal using a computer controlled engraving machine -  See my post about 4 posts back for a more in-depth explanation.  :icon_cool:

Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: liagasg on August 01, 2013, 02:39:49 PM
CNC engraving? Cool idea! I was looking for laser engravers, but CNC is a great idea.

Jaw dropping result man, I am in love with your pedal :D
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: puretube on August 01, 2013, 02:45:08 PM
Quote from: guitardanhx on August 01, 2013, 08:52:42 AM
Hehe I dammit should have patented it.  :icon_biggrin:

Surprised nobody has come up with something similar before actually. I was just looking for cheaper ways to house my pedals, using what I had lying around in the workshop. The Hammond style boxes used to be probably the most expensive part of my build!

D

MOOG`d??? (http://www.retrothing.com/2009/03/muzix81-sinclair-based-music-system-.html)
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: guitardanhx on August 01, 2013, 04:21:50 PM
Haha, seems like somebody already did think of it ... oops.  :icon_lol:
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: glops on August 01, 2013, 04:55:30 PM
Man, beautiful, beautiful work. Anyone got any suggestions on a good bending brake that will work for this type of building. I looked at the Harbor freight ones awhile back and also some fancier ones but never purchased. Also, what's a good type of saw to purchase for straight cuts. My knowledge of saws is quite limited to a chop saw, circular saw, jigsaw. I'd love to make my own enclosures...
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: Mac Walker on August 01, 2013, 08:01:28 PM
Love this stuff! Making enclosures is perhaps more addictive than the finished circuits, to me anyway...

Here is a prototype for a MIDI controller I made a few years ago, to test the ergonomics of the note layout (it's C, C#, D, D#, E).  It's still an empty box!

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/9416901631_afb21ea46a_c.jpg)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/9419677054_d2b0a61798_c.jpg)

My original foray into pedals actually came from the fact that I had all these little pieces of walnut leftover from guitar bodies....waste not, want not!

Here is a design that wraps around, using one piece of aluminum.  Friction holds the side pieces in place.

The side shielding is from aluminum cans, turned inside out.

You use a ratcheting screw clamp to tighten the wrap around piece before the two screws go into the walnut:

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/9419668550_4f1a3fcdb8_c.jpg)

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/9416904793_5716634f1d_c.jpg)

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/9416906259_9a81b37ce1_c.jpg)

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/9419673804_6305b9a812_c.jpg)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/9419675348_c3217d9a05_c.jpg)
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: mistahead on August 01, 2013, 11:05:04 PM
If it looks Moog-y is must be good.

It IS a rule isn't it?   :icon_wink:

Love it.
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: bluebunny on August 02, 2013, 03:07:44 AM
Quote from: Mac Walker on August 01, 2013, 08:01:28 PM
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/9416901631_afb21ea46a_c.jpg) (http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/9419675348_c3217d9a05_c.jpg)

I would post a series of pictures showing how I make towels.  If I could make towels.  And then, only to throw them in...   :-\
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: duck_arse on August 02, 2013, 12:21:22 PM
I did this about ten years ago now, jarra fencepost sides, ex-pc steel, block of wood + hammer:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img192/1695/duckhard2.jpg)

and this about 4 years ago, w/ toy fur covering, old lounge wood and perspex panel:

(http://imageshack.us/a/img198/2771/mmaxg.jpg)

right now, I m working on wooden sides and paisley, but using cloth.

I used to route a groove along the inside of the cheeks, and put a 3mm thick Al strip in, then drill through top and bottom, then tap, and screw through for holding together. my newest boxes are much smaller, but present just as many construction problems. and they won't look as good as yours.

metalworks, you say?
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: kaycee on August 02, 2013, 05:08:49 PM
Very creative, the Eggstortion made me chuckle, love that wedge enclosure. Top drawer stuff!
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: Kyurie on April 29, 2014, 07:20:50 PM
Quote from: guitardanhx on July 30, 2013, 03:02:42 PM
Thought I'd just share these pictures of my latest pedal builds - I've been trying to come up with new ways of building the enclosures to set them apart from the standard Hammond types.

First up is a wooden sided enclosure with a diamond etched paisley design on top:

(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard10of18_zps217c19fd.jpg) (http://s1281.photobucket.com/user/guitardanhx/media/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard10of18_zps217c19fd.jpg.html)

Amazing work!

A little example of my cnc laser engraving.

(http://firepic.org/images/2014-04/28/2gkmxpmuv1dq.jpg)
(http://firepic.org/images/2014-04/28/q3wuhmesg1ho.jpg)
(http://firepic.org/images/2014-04/28/yefot6h60tqr.jpg)

I used a piece of 0.5 mm stainless steel and a hammond style aluminium enclosure. On the backside there is a laser engraved sticker. Sorry for my English... Cheers from Belarus  ;)
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: duck_arse on April 30, 2014, 10:53:46 AM
Quote from: Kyurie on April 29, 2014, 07:20:50 PM

Amazing work!

A little example of my cnc laser engraving.

(http://firepic.org/images/2014-04/28/2gkmxpmuv1dq.jpg)

I used a piece of 0.5 mm stainless steel and a hammond style aluminium enclosure. On the backside there is a laser engraved sticker. Sorry for my English... Cheers from Belarus  ;)

not fair, kyurie, you've made rivet heads look good. I'm going to hide mine under some fake wooden panels. well, real wood, and real panels, but they won't do anything. except hide rivets, look good, and take forever to make. I gave up on stainless after trying to drill it.

nice looking box, fine looking english.
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: Kyurie on April 30, 2014, 12:09:03 PM


Quotenot fair, kyurie, you've made rivet heads look good. I'm going to hide mine under some fake wooden panels. well, real wood, and real panels, but they won't do anything. except hide rivets, look good, and take forever to make. I gave up on stainless after trying to drill it.

nice looking box, fine looking english.

Tnks! The rivet heads are the most ambiguous moment of my design... Bought some red rivet heads in building shop yesterday :) Gonna try with the red enclosure, hope this will be look nice
Title: Re: New enclosure construction experiments ...
Post by: Mika on April 30, 2014, 06:43:30 PM
Quote from: Hexjibber on July 31, 2013, 10:08:55 AM
Quote from: guitardanhx on July 30, 2013, 03:02:42 PM
First up is a wooden sided enclosure with a diamond etched paisley design on top:
(http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a515/guitardanhx/Effects%20Pedals/Pedalboard10of18_zps217c19fd.jpg)

That is one damn fine looking pedal man! Top work!

very nice
congratulations