Where do you guys order your standard enclosures? I've been ordering my enclosures from Pedal Parts Plus. I really do like ordering there, but any time I order an enclosure that is painted it seems like it takes forever to ship. I'm currently sitting on 2 1/2 weeks for my most recent order and it hasn't shipped yet. I can't really have that for projects that are on a time crunch. It definitely needs to be arriving in under 2 weeks.
The thing I do like is that they're able to both drill and powder coat the enclosures...but with this slow turn around I'm looking for other options. Can anyone recommend somewhere that would do custom drilling and have a good selection of painting options? I'm potentially looking into local options as well. Do you think PPP would ship faster with just the drilling and not the painting?
Try Mammoth electronics.
I suspect PPP can be quite fast with standard colors and drill patterns. I understand that they're a bit flooded at the moment though. And they moved their CNC earlier this year which took some time. I ordered an enclosure at the end of December 2010, they made a mistake so they sent me a new box. Final enclosure arrived only two weeks ago! Maybe if you contact them before ordering to ask what's in stock and can be shipped fast?
For simple/fast jobs I take it to a friend who doesn't mind doing some drilling at work in his lunchbreak ;)
From friends' experiences, Pedal Parts Plus has less than adequate drilling skills. Just saying.
I order all of mine from Small Bear.
I find their drilling skills to be quite okay...They lack some centering skills though :icon_rolleyes:...But I don't mind that too much, since I build one offs.
4site sells enclosures through their ebaystore. They come in lots of 5 or 10 though.
I now order my Hammond 1590 series boxes from Angela Instruments. They offer them unpainted and Hammond factory painted powder coat colors too.
My last pedal parts plus order took about 2 weeks to arrive (3 custom colored dd boxes), but if it took a month i would still use them, because the custom painting is such a unique service, with their color selection and cheap prices for powder coating, and i like dealing with small businesses. I'm guessing part of the time is that the economics of the situation probably dictate they do their painting in batches, to minimize setup/cleanup time. Custom work/special attention takes time, not many businesses are even going to think about doing unique work on a $15 order.
That being said, if you absolutely must have your parts in a couple days, use digikey or mouser.
I'd never hire anyone else to drill my holes either, unless a wide tolerance was ok, i don't want to be able to blame anyone else but myself when I'm sitting there filing them out!
Interesting thoughts. If they could drill fast (I've assumed it's the painting that takes forever) I'd consider getting them painted locally. But as far as I'm concerned, I've provided a very clean and detailed schematic for the drilling, and if the holes are off and unusable that is grounds for a refund.
Anyone bought unpainted but CUSTOM drilled enclosures from them and can comment on turnaround time? And as far as I'm aware, all the other companies seem to offer drilling, but not custom drilling - just their preset templates.
Quote from: spargo on May 12, 2011, 08:00:29 PM
Interesting thoughts. If they could drill fast (I've assumed it's the painting that takes forever) I'd consider getting them painted locally. But as far as I'm concerned, I've provided a very clean and detailed schematic for the drilling, and if the holes are off and unusable that is grounds for a refund.
Anyone bought unpainted but CUSTOM drilled enclosures from them and can comment on turnaround time? And as far as I'm aware, all the other companies seem to offer drilling, but not custom drilling - just their preset templates.
I am getting ready to order a custom drill job from them, if you can wait 2 - 3 weeks I can let you know..
Quote from: spargo on May 12, 2011, 08:00:29 PM
Interesting thoughts. If they could drill fast (I've assumed it's the painting that takes forever) I'd consider getting them painted locally. But as far as I'm concerned, I've provided a very clean and detailed schematic for the drilling, and if the holes are off and unusable that is grounds for a refund.
Anyone bought unpainted but CUSTOM drilled enclosures from them and can comment on turnaround time? And as far as I'm aware, all the other companies seem to offer drilling, but not custom drilling - just their preset templates.
If you're prepared to order a batch most will drill to your template.
If it's one offs... Probably less so.
I've ordered from Mammoth and Pedal Parts Plus. Mammoth is quick and inexpensive, but I prefer the Hammond enclosures that PPP has and my subjective experience is that the powdercoat finish quality from PPP is better and more consistent.
-Aaron
I've been very happy with PPP, aside from the wait (mine have been just under 2 weeks, not terrible. inexpensive shipping too). Color & drilling options are the best out there. Mammoth looks cool too, haven't tried them yet.
-JP
I would agree that I like the 125B enclosures from PPP better. The 1590NS enclosures are so-so though...the most recent one I got had the wrong screw taps and the lid was bent considerably. The painting is GREAT though, it's just such a long wait lately.
RS components, free couriering right away.
+1 for PPP here too. Great services for great prices.
Just a couple of tips though:
- Get the 4Site enclosures instead of the New Sensor ones. They have bigger screws and they're better built IMO. I've never had an issue with them.
- Be clear about how you want your enclosures drilled. I send a detailed template with exact hole positions and with descriptions of hole sizes. I think miscommunications have caused many of the issues people have had with the drilling.
Quote from: azrael on May 12, 2011, 02:36:52 PM
From friends' experiences, Pedal Parts Plus has less than adequate drilling skills. Just saying.
You lie.
You have no friends.
On topic...Small bear, PPP, or Mouser.
pedal parts plus have BLOODY FANTASTIC powder coats. horrible turnover time.... drilling is not so great and the location of the holes are just outright stupid for space conservation. their 1590A boxes can only fit a BSIAB2 board for example if you tilt it a bit sideways... they were very good if you are not in a rush and want to drill yourself. the colour ordering system was very confusing too if you want lots of different powders.
I'd just like to expand a bit on my previous post. Firstly, I don't like the hole locations on their pre-drilled enclosures, but I always use the custom drilling service. They do the drilling with a CNC and it is extremely accurate. As long as you communicate exactly what you want, you will get it. Also, I've never found them unreasonably slow. I usually get orders from Small Bear (to Canada) in 1.5 to 2 weeks without any custom parts. PPP takes around 3 weeks for a custom painted and drilled enclosure. For such a great service, the wait is worth it.
I'm in North Jersey, so Small Bear gets to me within 3-4 days.
Quote from: CynicalMan on May 14, 2011, 08:23:26 AM
I'd just like to expand a bit on my previous post. Firstly, I don't like the hole locations on their pre-drilled enclosures, but I always use the custom drilling service. They do the drilling with a CNC and it is extremely accurate. As long as you communicate exactly what you want, you will get it. Also, I've never found them unreasonably slow. I usually get orders from Small Bear (to Canada) in 1.5 to 2 weeks without any custom parts. PPP takes around 3 weeks for a custom painted and drilled enclosure. For such a great service, the wait is worth it.
I used to build pedals for a small boutique outfit and they got their pre-drilled silkscreened enclosures from PPP. Out of probably 500-600 units I have built using their enclosures, I've never had issues with holes not being in the right place. I have, however, had issues with little nubs on the castings (inside the enclosure) being a little high and causing the pot shafts to be leaning from the vertical. But that's not PPP's fault, it was cast that way. In those cases, if it was bad enough, I'd have to grind the enclosure inside to correct the problem.
For what it's worth, I ordered a custom color 1590NS (no drilling) from PPP on Friday and it arrived today via USPS Priority Mail. The finish looks spectacular too.
-Aaron
I must be unlucky then. My most recent order was placed 3 weeks ago and has not shipped yet. When emailing them, they said that on average (if they're not super busy - and they said they are not right now) it should take about 1 week for custom painted and drilled enclosures if they didn't have to make adjustments to your template. This leaves me wondering why a week has passed three times over now...same thing happened last time I ordered a few painted enclosures.
PPP. Paint was excelent, didn't realise there was a quality difference between the NS etc. It was fast enough considering its custom made and overseas shipped.
my 5mm led hole was 5mm. I specified for one of those chrome LED holders and ordered it in the same order. I had to get a file out and widen the hole to fit the holder in. I guess they're good in some aspects, and not as good in others.
I suck at painting, and drilling as I lack equipment, and paint skills, which actually ended up not mattering because I still had to clearcoat the decals in so I stuffed their nice finish up anyway haha.
Maybe next time I'll completely DIY..
Just to follow up, I finally got my order from Pedal Parts Plus today. Total time from ordering was 24 days, and that was for 10 enclosures painted and drilled.
The bad: long wait.
The good: INCREDIBLE paint job, as always. Drilling is spot on (I provided a very specific template). Definitely cannot beat this quality. The aqua black illusion color is ridiculously awesome. :) Overall I would highly recommend. The staff is also great to communicate with - always very personal and helpful.
+1 for mammoth, but i only order from them based on price.
Quote from: spargo on May 20, 2011, 02:30:10 AM
Just to follow up, I finally got my order from Pedal Parts Plus today. Total time from ordering was 24 days, and that was for 10 enclosures painted and drilled.
The bad: long wait.
The good: INCREDIBLE paint job, as always. Drilling is spot on (I provided a very specific template). Definitely cannot beat this quality. The aqua black illusion color is ridiculously awesome. :) Overall I would highly recommend. The staff is also great to communicate with - always very personal and helpful.
Do they drill before painting? Can you post some pics of the enclosures as you received them?
I think they paint before drilling on nearly all of their finishes. The only one I've seen where they drilled first was a Blue Anodized box, but that finish is very thin so it's not an issue.
Quote from: mremic01 on May 12, 2011, 05:27:02 PM
4site sells enclosures through their ebaystore. They come in lots of 5 or 10 though.
FYI, Mammoth is a 4site distributor, and you can order in singles.
Quote from: trixdropd on May 20, 2011, 03:11:54 PM
Quote from: spargo on May 20, 2011, 02:30:10 AM
Just to follow up, I finally got my order from Pedal Parts Plus today. Total time from ordering was 24 days, and that was for 10 enclosures painted and drilled.
The bad: long wait.
The good: INCREDIBLE paint job, as always. Drilling is spot on (I provided a very specific template). Definitely cannot beat this quality. The aqua black illusion color is ridiculously awesome. :) Overall I would highly recommend. The staff is also great to communicate with - always very personal and helpful.
Do they drill before painting? Can you post some pics of the enclosures as you received them?
Definitely appear to be drilled BEFORE painting, as the paint covers the insides of the holes also. Makes for an extra clean finish.
Quote from: spargo on May 20, 2011, 06:24:16 PM
Quote from: trixdropd on May 20, 2011, 03:11:54 PM
Quote from: spargo on May 20, 2011, 02:30:10 AM
Just to follow up, I finally got my order from Pedal Parts Plus today. Total time from ordering was 24 days, and that was for 10 enclosures painted and drilled.
The bad: long wait.
The good: INCREDIBLE paint job, as always. Drilling is spot on (I provided a very specific template). Definitely cannot beat this quality. The aqua black illusion color is ridiculously awesome. :) Overall I would highly recommend. The staff is also great to communicate with - always very personal and helpful.
Do they drill before painting? Can you post some pics of the enclosures as you received them?
Definitely appear to be drilled BEFORE painting, as the paint covers the insides of the holes also. Makes for an extra clean finish.
Sweet. that's what i was hoping for. Thanks!
Small Bear gets to me the next day :D NYC. Just for that I usually order from them. I like their 1590NS enclosures.
Mammoth is great, but they get their enclosures from 4SITE, so you might as well get them from 4SITE.
They are the best price on enclosures and many other parts too.
I've done comparison shopping on all my parts from 4SITE, Mammoth, PPP, FXconn, Digikey, Jameco, Mouser, etc.
4SITE usually beats them all, but some times a random part is better priced elsewhere.
Sometimes they will match prices.
I don't go thru their ebay store, deal with them directly and they'll do ya good.
Quote from: jimosity on May 25, 2011, 09:43:51 AM
Mammoth is great, but they get their enclosures from 4SITE, so you might as well get them from 4SITE.
They are the best price on enclosures and many other parts too.
I've done comparison shopping on all my parts from 4SITE, Mammoth, PPP, FXconn, Digikey, Jameco, Mouser, etc.
4SITE usually beats them all, but some times a random part is better priced elsewhere.
Sometimes they will match prices.
I don't go thru their ebay store, deal with them directly and they'll do ya good.
I agree, Mammoth usually has the best prices out of anywhere. But with enclosures they don't offer as many options or as high of quality as Pedal Parts Plus.
And with everything else, I seem to be having bad luck. One time they forgot to include $20 of switches in my order, and most recently a handful of locking nuts for some switches. I email them, and it's about 50/50 if they ever reply to me. I'll give them a couple more chances, but I can't keep having things left out of my order.
I bought a number of painted boxes from PPP and I was not happy with the results. I didn't specify templates, so it's mostly my fault, but you need to know that the 1090 and 125 jacks, DC, and footswitch holes are not optimized at all. I expected that they would be. Customers have figured out how big 9V batteries are and put he 3pdt switch hole as close as possible, but not too close. Same deal the side jacks. There's slop and I had to re-allocate most of the 7 boxes I bought. Shipping charges should correlate to real charges for that matter. With their structure, I will never make a small order, which means I may not ever use them again.
I found the gloss paint jobs to be fair and the one hammertone really nice. The boxes could have used some sanding -- not to high gloss, but smoother than stock.
In contrast, i think small bear's shipping structure is very fair to the diy community and his powder coated boxes are decent. I wish he had more colors and finishes.