where can I buy a WIDE metal enclosure to make a 'looper' ???

[MetalGod]

I'm going to build a bypass box so that I can select all of my pedals via seperate 'loops' but I'm having trouble finding anything suitable for the actual enclosure.  Anyone got ideas on where to get something suitable?

I'll be using 8 loops (8x 3PDT), so the box needs to be fairly wide to allow enough space between each switch. 

Any help greatly appreciated.

[theundeadelvis]

Check these out: http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PPP&Category_Code=ENC14
Kirk's a great guy to do business with too.

edit*

Just realized that may not be wide enough for 8 loops.

So try this instead: http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/steelstud/steelstud.htm

[MetalGod]

Thanks for that - I actual did a search and found the same Hammond enclosure (1141WU).  They're fairly pricey here in the UK, it may be cheaper to have one flown from the US if you can believe it.

[Ed G.]

RG had posted some time back about using metal framing 'studs' as enclosures. Seems like it would suit your needs well.

[R.G.]

There's an outfit call Industrial Metals that sells small quantities of stuff. In particular, they have rectangular tubes of 1/8" thick aluminum in a 2" by 6" cross section.
I posted that somewhere here.

[antojado]

Check out this:

http://www.rose-bopla.com/Prod_Pgs/BAB/Prod_02_Custom_Build_A_%20Box.htm

[antojado]

Actually what I just posted appears to be a wholesale outfit. 

[R.G.]

Yeah. I found them before I found Industrial Metals. Bummer, eh?

[johngreene]

Yeah. I found them before I found Industrial Metals. Bummer, eh?

Industrial Metal Supply ..... where have I seen that before?
Oh yeah! I can read their sign through the window right now! 

--john

[Krinor]

Check these out: http://pedalpartsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PPP&Category_Code=ENC14
Kirk's a great guy to do business with too.

edit*

Just realized that may not be wide enough for 8 loops.

So try this instead: http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/steelstud/steelstud.htm

I'm working with these steelstuds every day (construction). I dismissed them for stomp box use long time ago since I found them way to thin for the purpose. After watching those photos I think I'll give it a shot after all. Proper DIY. 

[aron]

What about aluminum channel? Does that seem like an alternative for a true bypass strip?

[R.G.]

the box needs to be fairly wide to allow enough space between each switch.

Measure your foot, in the widest shoe you will wear while using the strip. That is the narrowest distance you can normally use for switch spacing.

Oh yeah! I can read their sign through the window right now!

That was truly tacky... 

I'm working with these steelstuds every day (construction). I dismissed them for stomp box use long time ago since I found them way to thin for the purpose.

The 25 gauge thin steel "2x4" replacements are too thin to stand up for bypass strips unless you put blocks of wood inside to bolster them. That's why I only used them for the single box.

For a multi-stomper, you need the 18ga C-channel. This is made by the same companies, and sold in many of the same places. However, Home Depot and Lowes will have the thin stuff but not the thicker. For the thicker, find a building distributor that primarily sells to commercial building builders.

[iShawn]

An excellent guide I found about building a true bypass strip, with other mods and troubleshooting too:

http://www.singlecoil.com/tb-strip/tbstrip.html

[johngreene]

It's funny that this topic came up now because I just bought this box break:



And I just bought a sheet of aluminum from Industrial Metal Supply across the street from work so I could experiment making this:



--john

[theundeadelvis]

What about this stuff? http://www.alliedtube.com/sign-support/traffic-sign-posts/telespar-square.asp

[smallbearelec]

Small Bear will shortly carry the Hammond 1411WU at the same price as Mouser. That is the best I can do until I talk with one of the Taiwanese foundries and find out what they have available or are willing to clone. I will advise.

SD

[MR COFFEE]

Metalgod,

You might want to try investigating your local metal junkyard\recycler. I live in a small city (Burlington, NC), and the local junkyard (Levin's) has an area where they lay out "scrap" that they think someone might buy for a project. Some is steel (angle iron, heavy tube, expanded metal screen), but much of what they keep to sell to individuals is aluminum and stainless steel. I bought a 6 foot length of the 2" x 6" rectangular tube (1/8" thick wall) for $1 a pound. Sometimes the stuff may have a scratch or two, but a belt sander will make it look just fine without much work.

Look in the phone book under Metals - recycling. A phone call will separate out the drink can recyclers from the large junk yards that recycle railroad cars full of metal at a time. Tell them you are looking to purchase aluminum scrap. Ask if they have aluminum sheet stock to sell. If they do, they are probably worth a look once a month. Get to know the guy that works that area ( usually the guy you pay or get a ticket from ). The guy here will call me if they get something in I've asked for (I've known him a few years).

It's a great way to get really nice stuff cheap and do your part to help re-use\recycle metals. Saves energy (making aluminum from bauxite ore takes huge amounts of electricity).

Happy Hunting...

[smallbearelec]

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Updates.htm

[MetalGod]

Thanks for all the replies, in the end I managed to get the 1411WU at a decent price from one of the UK distributors listed on the Hammond website. 

I still think it's not quite wide enough at 12" - using two rows of switches I can have four accross the bottom and three accross the top with good spacing.  Still, it'd be nicer to have them all on one level in a wider box (20" would be great)

Maybe Steve could look at getting something custom made as an exclusive product to SmallBear (?).  It would be perfect at around 1.5" height, 20" width and 3 or 4" depth.