PCB mounting!!

[buzzo83]

So, how do you guys mount the PCB board inside your enclosures???

[zpyder]

Good question.

I did my first build this last weekend and I used a PCB That I bought from tonepad.com
I put the whole thing into a small RACO box (light switch box).  What I did, and it worked very well and I'll be doing it again until a better idea comes my way, was to buy some adhesive standoffs.  I bought them from smallbearelec.com

If I recall they weren't exactly cheap, but worked very well.  I had to drill larger holes into the PSB from tonepad, but that was a sinch.

Yea yea yea, I took pictures to post but I haven't gotten them off my camera yet.  Maybe I haven't gotten off my lazy ass yet...

zpyder

[Pushtone]

Super Cheap Standoff 
0.17 cents per standoff

Not my idea. I read it on another thread. Sorry no credit but you know who you are...

Use machine bolts and two nuts to make a standoff.
You can position the hight of the board with the nuts.
Cut the bolts down so they fit tight between the box top and bottom.
Use JB Weld to anchor it down or just leave it loose.
I put craft foam sheet on the bottom of the box and the screw heads sink in and stay put.

[zpyder]

I spose that would work but to me it seems overly complicated.  That's just me though.

I checked smallbear and their standoffs are .30 a piece.  Not bad, I had thought they were more expensive.  Two of these badboys will hold your small to medium pcb's

zpyder

[markm]

I like Pushtone's idea alot!
Usually I use RS standoffs or the plastic clip ones from SB.
In more desperate or less thought out occasions, 3M double-stick tape works good too!

[zpyder]

or a couple dabs of hot glue...

[mikey]

This looks like a great method.  When I run out of aluminum standoffs I'm going to try it ( using JB Weld ).

[moody07747]

or a couple dabs of hot glue...

i line metal boxes with black electrical tape then use some double sided foam mounting tape to keep it all in place well.

[moody07747]

Use JB Weld to anchor it down or just leave it loose.

i say if your going to have it welded, do it with a real welder...but thats just me 

great idea though

[jimbob]

great idea w the machine bolts and jb weld! I was just trying to figure something out for a projects. Plus- I have more JB weld left- Im going to giv'r a try.

[Tubebass]

In the past, I've used short lengths of plastic tubing as standoffs, with bolts and nuts. The barrel of a Bic pen makes good standoffs.

[z7yh]

I use coaxial staples like this

I take out the nail and screw into the hole with the u shape facing the pcb then jb weld the flat side into the box.
the next day when its fully hardened the screws can be backed out to do wiring. Next time I borrow a digital camera I will post a picture.

[soggybag]

Lately I have been using allen head bolts with nylon standoffs. I'll try and post a picture later. By far the most expensive method metioned. The local hardware store charges far too much for these types of bolts. I did get a bag of nuts at a garage sale for a buck. I"ll try and post a picture later.

[burnt fingers]

I just use some of the foam double stick tape and cover the bottom of the board completely.  Then I stick it to the pots.  Seems to work pretty well. 

http://aronnelson.com/gallery/album49/250_guts

Scott

[Alex C]

Here's a thread with some more good circuit board mounting ideas.  In this thread I mentioned the same method Pushtone just did, but it wasn't my idea.  It's cheap, practical, and effective, so it probably originated in the mind of R.G. Keen.   

[buzzo83]

Thanks for the input guys!  I took a look at that thread, and I was liking Gilles idea with the pull ties!! very kool!