Hello,
I'm looking for some suggestions on where to find good quality metal enclosures suitable for vacuum tube preamp building. I've used Hammond enclosures before and been satisfied, but wonder if there are alternatives. Maybe something a little less utilitarian, more modern in design? Thank you for your suggestions.
I'm looking for some suggestions on where to find good quality metal enclosures suitable for vacuum tube preamp building. I've used Hammond enclosures before and been satisfied, but wonder if there are alternatives. Maybe something a little less utilitarian, more modern in design? Thank you for your suggestions.
My personal favorite is buying old test gear from flee markets and off of social media. You can paint them black and often have excellent aluminum frames. I try to pay $5 ea and often get them in bulk but sometimes I’ll go $30 for a sweet one, they have power receptacles and then print new plates for the front with a wood inlay.
Thank you for that suggestion, I built an isolation transformer using an old oscilloscope chassis as an enclosure and had a new front panel made. But, how about any new enclosure companies that you've run across that might work?
I’ve bought some off aliexpress but they need to be small otherwise shipping gets crazy. Of course there is always Hifi2000 but if you have some CAD skills in sheet metal sendcutsend.com could be an option.
Yes, look at
https://hifi2000.shop/site/en
They will cut holes and add silk screen for you at extra cost.
Some of their standard items are in the forum store. No customization.
https://diyaudiostore.com/collections/index-chassis
https://sendcutsend.com/ will make custom chassis parts and finish. Holes etc. don't really cost much extra.
Fancy front panels are best from https://www.frontpanelexpress.com/
https://hifi2000.shop/site/en
They will cut holes and add silk screen for you at extra cost.
Some of their standard items are in the forum store. No customization.
https://diyaudiostore.com/collections/index-chassis
https://sendcutsend.com/ will make custom chassis parts and finish. Holes etc. don't really cost much extra.
Fancy front panels are best from https://www.frontpanelexpress.com/
This question should be a sticky as it comes up continuously.
Hammond should be embarrassed by their decades old crappy designs that look horrible, nothing like a modern enclosure. I cannot believe they still exist and are available on digikey/mouser last time I checked 10 yrs ago. Somehow they cornered the market and for that reason people are forced to use these awful looking units because they are the most easily accessible and never updated in any significance as to appearance in 20 years. I would never go there, the prices are not even good for a lousy looking box. How do I really feel? The Italian hifi2000 enclosures are wonderful but too expensive outside of EU.
Go with parmetal - http://www.par-metal.com/ for something at least appearing modern in the last 2 decades. Or look at PC enclosures for cheap enclosures that can be modded for audio. They have a huge market and range from small to very large and all are nicely priced.
https://www.newegg.com/black-istaru...MIjMmkvJKliAMV-yytBh1-GR-aEAQYBSABEgIbTPD_BwE
Or even better buy a broken or nonworking vintage unit online or locally at a thrift store and repurpose the chassis.
Hammond should be embarrassed by their decades old crappy designs that look horrible, nothing like a modern enclosure. I cannot believe they still exist and are available on digikey/mouser last time I checked 10 yrs ago. Somehow they cornered the market and for that reason people are forced to use these awful looking units because they are the most easily accessible and never updated in any significance as to appearance in 20 years. I would never go there, the prices are not even good for a lousy looking box. How do I really feel? The Italian hifi2000 enclosures are wonderful but too expensive outside of EU.
Go with parmetal - http://www.par-metal.com/ for something at least appearing modern in the last 2 decades. Or look at PC enclosures for cheap enclosures that can be modded for audio. They have a huge market and range from small to very large and all are nicely priced.
https://www.newegg.com/black-istaru...MIjMmkvJKliAMV-yytBh1-GR-aEAQYBSABEgIbTPD_BwE
Or even better buy a broken or nonworking vintage unit online or locally at a thrift store and repurpose the chassis.
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The hiFi 2000 chassis and surface artwork is good enough for many.
Frontpanelexpress is excellent for flat front panels, and can do filled engraving.
They also supply the software needed to create the .dxf file for ordering the front panel.
They can also do rear panels, no real distinction there.
But HiFi2000 can also accept that same .dxf file, if you just want surface painting for legends, etc.
That (#7) was just my opinion re Hammond observing them for many years and me expressing my internal feelings that they could do better; but I have also used Frontpanelexpress many times and they did a good job (mostly). Plus, once they sent free candy with the panel.
Hammond enclosures are certainly old school, like their transformers.
But they are widely distributed.
But they are widely distributed.
I've just finished building a preamplifier for playing back open reel tapes based on a design by Elliott Sound Products. I used two enclosures from Hammond, they are made from #20 steel and powder coated, sturdy. The bottom plates and the screws are sold as separate items, oddly enough.
Search for Cheval enclosures on Amazon. They have a few offerings that are nicer looking than the basic Hammond enclosures.
Hm, what is the purpose of buying enclosure that is already painted, let's say, black ? With no holes, cuttings, air vent grills on front panel. Now imagine cutting out a hole for a 120mm fan on the back panel !? Huge mess, scratches and visible unpainted edges after cutting will be visible. Not to mention the silk-screening. Can someone explain to me like I'm a six year old.
For example this 19" 3U enclosure. Looks fine, professional product but that is all. Good luck with machining in your garage.
https://modushop.biz/site/index.php?route=product/product&path=174_231&product_id=162
For example this 19" 3U enclosure. Looks fine, professional product but that is all. Good luck with machining in your garage.
https://modushop.biz/site/index.php?route=product/product&path=174_231&product_id=162
Speaking from my experience, I've not had a problem using an already painted/powder coated chassis and cutting holes for IEC connectors, RCA sockets, etc. The first thing I do is cover every exposed section of the chassis with masking tape, not only does this provide protection from scratches but it gives a good surface for marking where to drill holes and guide lines for hole punch alignment. I've also used unpainted chassis, made the mechanical changes necessary and then painted/powder coated afterwards. I agree it is ultimately better to cut/drill first, but isn't always necessary.
Holes can be easy made by trapped drill. I use them for decades. Also for 10mm aluminum front.Hm, what is the purpose of buying enclosure that is already painted, let's say, black ? With no holes, cuttings, air vent grills on front panel. Now imagine cutting out a hole for a 120mm fan on the back panel !? Huge mess, scratches and visible unpainted edges after cutting will be visible. Not to mention the silk-screening. Can someone explain to me like I'm a six year old.
For example this 19" 3U enclosure. Looks fine, professional product but that is all. Good luck with machining in your garage.
https://modushop.biz/site/index.php?route=product/product&path=174_231&product_id=162
Guys, I know. There are fine tools that you can buy out there and do the machining in your garage but you have missed my point. If you had OCD like myself, first you would do the messy stuff and then paint the sucker. Unfortunately, anodizing or painting aluminium enclosures like the pro guys are doing is not available to everyone. 🙁
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