Cheap and easy way to make enclosures, e.g. for linear supplies, would be to use ABS boxes and line them with ordinary kitchen aluminium foil.
Does this work? What glue can be used that sticks well and doesn't peel? Anybody tried this?
Would copper foil be any better?
Does this work? What glue can be used that sticks well and doesn't peel? Anybody tried this?
Would copper foil be any better?
It's not easy to connect to aluminium foil electrically.
Copper foil works, but a metal box is cheaper
Copper foil works, but a metal box is cheaper
The reason why it's not so common is probably that cheap boxes are not (?) flame retardant (electric devices should be!).
Contact to and between aluminium foil can be difficult because of oxyde layer.
Adhesive copper foil as davidrsb mentions is used for electric guitars as far as i know.
Contact to and between aluminium foil can be difficult because of oxyde layer.
Adhesive copper foil as davidrsb mentions is used for electric guitars as far as i know.
Adhesive copper foil isn't too expensive. That looks like an option that would work. Presumably it's easy to solder to?
I have a case coming that has an aluminum main body with plastic top/bottom. Since I already have a roll of copper foil with conductive adhesive, I plan to cover the inside of the plastic bits.
Yes, it's easy to solder. You obviously want to solder a section that hasn't been pressed down yet, to avoid melting the plastic.
A 50MM x 10M roll runs about $10 on Amazon, so not horribly expensive.
Yes, it's easy to solder. You obviously want to solder a section that hasn't been pressed down yet, to avoid melting the plastic.
A 50MM x 10M roll runs about $10 on Amazon, so not horribly expensive.
A ground wire can be soldered directly to the copper foil used to shield guitar control cavities.
I imagine if you solder quickly with a very thin connecting wire you could do it when the tape has been fitted? Anyone tried?
I have used foil from no longer used crossover chokes - wide ones make it easier.
Of course, someone will mention the copper will oxidize. If that does concern you - do it again like lining kitchen shelves (which I have never done).
I make a weave and then cut it to fit. Tape is placed on one side to stabilize the weave. I use boxes I have made of balsa and place the shielding on the outside. I am not an obsessive. I can assure you mine are not as well finished as they could be. It could be really good looking if one really worked at it.
Of course, someone will mention the copper will oxidize. If that does concern you - do it again like lining kitchen shelves (which I have never done).
I make a weave and then cut it to fit. Tape is placed on one side to stabilize the weave. I use boxes I have made of balsa and place the shielding on the outside. I am not an obsessive. I can assure you mine are not as well finished as they could be. It could be really good looking if one really worked at it.
ABS can ignite...then is quite stable at burning.
If you need a shield, plenty of metal boxes should be available as baking tins or similar...
Not a big project, easier and inherently safer than foil stuck to wood or plastic.
If you need a shield, plenty of metal boxes should be available as baking tins or similar...
Not a big project, easier and inherently safer than foil stuck to wood or plastic.
I have used kitchen type aluminum foil many times with good results. Contact adhesive is best. Solvent type must be applied quickly and in a thin layer because Toluene dissolves ABS ; water based type is much better, or you can get toluene-free type. No soldering posible of course, but I always solder ground wire to pot cases which are touching it; worst case can add a screw and metal washer plus a terminal.
I always build 9V battery powered Guitar pedals, mic preamps or mini-mixers that way.
I always build 9V battery powered Guitar pedals, mic preamps or mini-mixers that way.
Why does that have an ominous ring to it?
possibly the absence of something like "and it will have appropriate fuse-protection"... 🙂