[bperboy]

Tom, count me in for 2 of everything... More tubes can never be a bad thing!

 

[lordvader]

If a groupbuy goes ahead for the cases, would shipping costs be prohibitively expensive for overseas diyers (Australia springs to mind

)?

 

[tomb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordvader /img/forum/go_quote.gif If a groupbuy goes ahead for the cases, would shipping costs be prohibitively expensive for overseas diyers (Australia springs to mind )?

It could get expensive for international shipping. Whether it's "prohibitively expensive" or not, I don't know - it will depend on the country and the shipping weight of the case. (Maybe it will be a lot lighter with all those cooling slots.

)

The problem with USPS international rates is that services that include insurance and delivery confirmation can get pretty expensive. On the other hand, First Class International is quite economical, but we'd have no recourse if the shipment was lost. People might not be willing to take the risk.

 

[FallenAngel]

Case looks great, I can't wait to grab one.

As for international shipping; from personal experience, I have shipped USPS First Class (and CanadaPost AirMail for that matter) 6 times in the past to Australia, never any problems - usually takes about 1-2 weeks to arrive, never longer.

 

[lordvader]

Well if the groupbuy includes the miscellaneous hardware, such as knobs, sockets, as well as the pcbs (obviously), then even with shipping, the price might work out quite well for the "foreign" diyer

Of course, once you start buying tubes, caps, resistors ...

You know what, count me in if it goes ahead ! I've finsihed my latest poweramp project, and just know I'll be suffering from withdrawals in a few months time

 

[tomb]

I have been mulling over starting to carry kits, but it will be a pretty big investment. I have to see how a lot of other things go before I can do that.

On the other hand, there might be an opportunity to have an Australia-organized shipment - similar to what they did for the SSMH, but someone in Australia will need to volunteer for that.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, I agreed with FallenAngel's assessment of the US Post Office. Then one guy in Ontario never received his Vitamin Q's from Beezar and Max Hester never got his first MiniMAX prototype board. Max is only 50 miles from me, so that was really bad!

I sent both of them new ones, as evidenced by Max's pic up there.

However, there's not much of a way that I can order a new batch of 100 cases with associated mfg costs, etc., if we lose a few in shipping. I'll definitely try to get extra, but we won't know if that's possible until Lansing gives us a price. Anyway, that's sort of why I've been thinking Priority-Mail-only for these cases - I'm sort of gun-shy on the USPS right now. Optional shipping choices might be something we should discuss when/if a Group Buy occurs.

 

[Daveze]

I'm definitely in for at least one case. I'd happily pay a premium for not having to frig about with the casework...

 

[patton713MW]

Yep, I'll take a case. (amillett from diyforums.com)

 

[FallenAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomb /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have been mulling over starting to carry kits, but it will be a pretty big investment. I have to see how a lot of other things go before I can do that. On the other hand, there might be an opportunity to have an Australia-organized shipment - similar to what they did for the SSMH, but someone in Australia will need to volunteer for that. Up until a couple of weeks ago, I agreed with FallenAngel's assessment of the US Post Office. Then one guy in Ontario never received his Vitamin Q's from Beezar and Max Hester never got his first MiniMAX prototype board. Max is only 50 miles from me, so that was really bad! I sent both of them new ones, as evidenced by Max's pic up there. However, there's not much of a way that I can order a new batch of 100 cases with associated mfg costs, etc., if we lose a few in shipping. I'll definitely try to get extra, but we won't know if that's possible until Lansing gives us a price. Anyway, that's sort of why I've been thinking Priority-Mail-only for these cases - I'm sort of gun-shy on the USPS right now. Optional shipping choices might be something we should discuss when/if a Group Buy occurs.

I highly recommend Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation for all shipments, cost is usually only a couple of dollars more than First Class and Delivery Confirmation is $0.65

 

[penger]

Case looks awesome! Looks like a fun project too.

 

[tomb]

Well, I should've known the pricing was too good to be true. I've asked for a clarification, but the initial quote looks more than double what I was told in our preliminary conversations. Case price is what I thought - only about $15 per case. Tooling and setup are what they told me, too. However, they're charging the same tooling and setup costs for the silkscreening in addition to the machining. Plus, they are charging individually for machining each case besides the tooling and setup - that's a significant change. Per part machining is trivial for the front and back plate, but looks very expensive for the body. That makes sense according to the design, but nevertheless, they indicated that the number of holes would not effect price - that there were only per-surface charges. Again, I've asked for clarifications and explanations. I could be interpreting the quotes incorrectly.

I've also asked for options that will reduce the cost if I am interpreting correctly - it's not organized like most quotes I've seen.

Please stay tuned ... I'll keep the situation updated.

 

[Beefy]

If it is too expensive, I'd blow off the silk screening first thing. It doesn't really add much......

 

[bperboy]

In any case, we all appreciate the work you're doing... and for what it's worth, I rather like the silkscreening... makes it look quite professional!

 

[tomb]

Blowing off the top silkscreen is a no-brainer. We're not going to pay that premium for what little was on the top.

The machining costs they're charging for the case is the big hit, though, because they're charging on a per-case basis. That is counter to every conversation I've had with them - doesn't mean they'll change that, though. What it does mean, is perhaps we may simplify the slots on the bottom and perhaps the slots on the sides may go away.

My MiniMAX proto doesn't heat up appreciably for 3-4 hours with just a few 1/4" holes on the bottom and the very flat rubber stoppers that Lansing uses (small air clearance). {EDIT: My original board in the one in my avatar pic doesn't have any cooling holes in the board, either.} So, the side slots would be nice, but I don't think they're really necessary.

Obviously, if simplifying to slots just in one direction, one set, etc., will save money, that will be the first step.

I'll continue to let you all know when I know. Thanks for staying tuned ...

 

[Beefy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomb /img/forum/go_quote.gif My MiniMAX proto doesn't heat up appreciably for 3-4 hours with just a few 1/4" holes on the bottom

How much airflow actually comes up through the bottom holes with the PCB in the way?

If I could only have one, I would be inclined to drop the bottom holes and simplify the sides. It is easy to drill the bottom yourself, because nobody sees it. And the open sides will let tube lighting shine out as well.....

[EDIT] I suppose the PCB support on the bottom of the case might still be an issue for some