Where do you order enclosures?

spargo · May 12, 2011, 01:43:31 PM

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?

Hides-His-Eyes · May 12, 2011, 01:46:02 PM

Try Mammoth electronics.

rockhorst · May 12, 2011, 02:26:31 PM

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

azrael · May 12, 2011, 02:36:52 PM

From friends' experiences, Pedal Parts Plus has less than adequate drilling skills. Just saying.

thedefog · May 12, 2011, 02:51:35 PM

I order all of mine from Small Bear.

rockhorst · May 12, 2011, 03:08:43 PM

I find their drilling skills to be quite okay...They lack some centering skills though

...But I don't mind that too much, since I build one offs.

mremic01 · May 12, 2011, 05:27:02 PM

4site sells enclosures through their ebaystore. They come in lots of 5 or 10 though.

Steve Mavronis · May 12, 2011, 05:33:29 PM

I now order my Hammond 1590 series boxes from Angela Instruments. They offer them unpainted and Hammond factory painted powder coat colors too.

Processaurus · May 12, 2011, 05:58:25 PM

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!

spargo · 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.

iccaros · May 12, 2011, 08:20:49 PM

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..

Hides-His-Eyes · May 13, 2011, 04:29:27 AM

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.

aflynt · May 13, 2011, 09:08:49 AM

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

jpiddy118 · May 13, 2011, 10:26:33 AM

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

spargo · May 13, 2011, 01:36:42 PM

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.

darron · May 13, 2011, 09:14:40 PM

RS components, free couriering right away.

CynicalMan · May 13, 2011, 09:36:40 PM

+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.

CodeMonk · May 14, 2011, 12:43:03 AM

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.

darron · May 14, 2011, 12:54:31 AM

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.

CynicalMan · 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.

News:

Where do you order enclosures?