Box artwork/finishing

[brett]

Hi.

Just finished some more tops for pedals and thought I'd show 'em off and describe my process.

They're diecast boxes, powdercoated with a silver metallic finish (about US$4 per box).  It doesn't show in the photo, but they have this excellent metallic sheen.  Then I apply a laser decal over the whole box.  I cut out the decal over the holes by melting it with a soldering iron.  Three thin coats of topcoat and I'm finished.  Perhaps best of all, there no limit to what you can print and put on the decals (and they're about US$1 per box).

Here's the photo;


cheers

[Fret Wire]

Nice work Brett! I like the idea of cutting the decal with the iron. No decal edges to eventually lift up.

[Peter Snowberg]

Very cool!

Nice work!

Take care,
-Peter

[bwanasonic]

Also interesting that you use the bottoms as tops.

Kerry M

[brett]

Also interesting that you use the bottoms as tops.

The boxes I use have some holes in the base that means if I was to use the removable "top" as the bottom, I'd have to fill the holes with something that would tolerate powder coating.  Since about 50% of people like the screws on the top anyway, I've stayed with this on "top".  

I also use the internal slots of the box to hold the PCB vertically inside.  Although this only works for small PCBs (about 2.4" x 2"), it is amazing what you can squeeze onto such a small PCB (e.g. many of my favourite effects - Tonepad's TS, Big Muff, Bluesbreaker, Orange squeezer, etc... GGG's RM Axis fuzz, EA Tremolo.)  In fact, there's almost no effect that I haven't been able to jam into 2.4" x 2".

cheers