Anybody have sources for prefab, fully finished headphone amp cases?
Oct 17, 2010 at 9:25 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 19
ericj

ericj

Headphoneus Supremus
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As those of you who know me are aware, my enclosure finishing ability to date has ranged from the creative to the ugly to the cardboard box.
 
I'm trying to do better. I'd like at least some of my builds to be pretty. 
 
So earlier today i was poking around ebay when i found this:
 
http://search.ebay.com/180573219169
 
Which looks pretty slick, having an already-milled front panel with matching knob and power switch. I think my CK2III could live in that enclosure quite comfortably, and look a lot slicker than the recycled case it's currently occupying. I use that amp every day at work.
 
But before i jump on that one, i wanted to see if the DIY community knows of some similar products.
 
So, what have you seen that is available to purchase as a finished case?
 
Oct 17, 2010 at 10:25 PM Post #2 of 19
I can't speak to their quality, but the seller DIY-Goods has some chassis for sale, like http://cgi.ebay.com/Aluminum-int-pre-amplifier-Chassis-Case-Audio-DIY-A-28-/230538948440?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ad312f58. VT4C has some as well, as does thlaudio. In the aforementioned cases, you'll probably spend a lot on shipping to Utah.
 
I typically end up just tracking down a Hammond enclosure and making mediocre holes in the panels, and just make sure that all the parts fit my lackluster selection of drill bits/punches. I've never personally been able to justify the shipping and markup.
 
Oct 17, 2010 at 11:38 PM Post #3 of 19
Yeah, I'm just dreaming. I'll probably re-case my CK2III into an old harddrive enclosure, slightly shinier than what it's in now.
 
Oct 17, 2010 at 11:55 PM Post #4 of 19
Do you have and use a center punch?
 
How old are your drill bits? Replace some of the more used ones with newer better quality ones.
 
Have you considered buying a drill press? I found that getting one improved my casework by a HUGE factor. If space is tight there are tabletop sized units that can be packed away easily. Perhaps you can "timeshare" tools with a neighbor? 
 
Plan B is to get front panel express (or equivalent) panels, which eliminate the need for casework. your wallet will suffer.
 
Oct 18, 2010 at 12:28 AM Post #5 of 19
Don't have a punch. Have step bits.
 
I have access to a workshop that includes a table saw, jigsaw, and an older chinese drill press with upgraded bearings that surprisingly has very little runout - the kind with a three speed manual "move the belt" transmission. And a bit sharpener.
 
Possibly some other good tools, but mostly targeted at woodworking.
 
That shop is available intermittently and is a bit crowded between an electric conversion vehicle my friend is working on, and belly-dancing classes taught by his wife. (Which sounds a lot cooler than it really is).
 
A friend of a friend has a small mill (proxxon i think) but i'm not sure how much associated stuff he has or how much access i might have.
 
My own tooling consists of a dremel and the mediocre dremel drill press accessory. And a really nice cordless power dill.
 
Oct 18, 2010 at 12:32 AM Post #6 of 19
http://cgi.ebay.com/DIY-Audio-Aluminium-Chassis-Headphone-amp-Metal-case-01_W0QQitemZ150448327532QQcategoryZ122649QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3907.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D8%26pmod%3D160469515048%252B230538948440%252B140465307060%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D4910709374518223170 simple but quite nice chassis. Not sure if the CK2III fits it or not.
 
 
Oct 18, 2010 at 12:39 AM Post #7 of 19
Get a center punch. It will help you get your holes in the right places, even without the drillpress. A Manual center punch is probably better than an automatic one. The automatic ones tend to skip as they are fired.
 
Figure out a way to do as much as possible with the drillpress. Even if it means starting holes with a smallish bit, and then going to the stepped bits.... This can get VERY good well aligned results. 
 
WIDE masking tape is your friend. M'hmm. use it to cover things you dont want getting all scratched up by spinning/flying debris, and to write on to keep notes of what goes where.
 
Oct 18, 2010 at 1:13 AM Post #8 of 19


Quote:
nikongod said:
Get a center punch. It will help you get your holes in the right places, even without the drillpress. A Manual center punch is probably better than an automatic one. The automatic ones tend to skip as they are fired.
Click to expand...


I like the idea of punches, but when you say get a center punch you really mean get multiple center punches - unless we're just talking about poking holes in sheet metal for 9 pin tubes to stick out of.
 
Already familiar with the drill press techniques, I just don't have enough practice.
 
Oct 18, 2010 at 2:11 AM Post #9 of 19
Center punch simply makes a dent in sheet that you are drilling, so when you drill the drill bit does not drift, and that you'll be drilling in the exact spot you wanted to drill. It made my life a WHOLE lot easier.
 
You could probably take a nail and a hammer at it, but the actual thing will probably work better.
tongue.gif

 
Oct 18, 2010 at 3:45 PM Post #10 of 19
yeah the drill press attachment for the dremel is pretty crap, I like my dremel a lot, but that thing is so light flimsy and pretty much impossible to get to go straight down, or in an otherwise repeatable manner. I just use it for very light drilling and the cutting bits and sander discs for other tasks. for holes I use a center punch and hand drill with like 20 different sized bits, moving up 1 or 2 at a time, drilling from the oposite side and getting rid of the burs with a dremel bevelled grinder bit or sandpaper. I lust after a CNC and am seriously considering building one, until then I have laybyed a proper full size drill press
 
I want something to make square holes, how do you guys do it aside from drill and person file plus smaller files?
 
the VT4C cases are quite good, the cheapest arent amazing and I dont like that it has labels on everything already, but the larger slightly pricier ones are quite good. much as its satisfying, I have been looking for ways to do less casework, I do spend far too log on it
 
Oct 18, 2010 at 3:57 PM Post #11 of 19
With a Die Cutter.
Thats how they make "D" shaped holes, holes with keys,
square holes etc...
 
The die comes in two pieces that you screw together with
a bolt through the middle. They work great on sheet metal
but a thicker face plate may be too much of a challenge.

 
Quote:
qusp said:
yeah the drill press attachment for the dremel is pretty crap, I like my dremel a lot, but that thing is so light flimsy and pretty much impossible to get to go straight down, or in an otherwise repeatable manner. I just use it for very light drilling and the cutting bits and sander discs for other tasks. for holes I use a center punch and hand drill with like 20 different sized bits, moving up 1 or 2 at a time, drilling from the oposite side and getting rid of the burs with a dremel bevelled grinder bit or sandpaper. I lust after a CNC and am seriously considering building one, until then I have laybyed a proper full size drill press
 
I want something to make square holes, how do you guys do it aside from drill and person file plus smaller files?
 
the VT4C cases are quite good, the cheapest arent amazing and I dont like that it has labels on everything already, but the larger slightly pricier ones are quite good. much as its satisfying, I have been looking for ways to do less casework, I do spend far too log on it
Click to expand...



 
Oct 19, 2010 at 7:30 PM Post #13 of 19
+1 on the center punch, I personally like the spring loaded kind, but everyone has different luck with different tools.  What I like about the spring loaded, is if you happen to knock back a few beers before working on a project, you don't swing your hammer and miss the punch, inadvertently putting a nice hammer dent in something.  But, of course, no one should ever use power tools while drunk....
 
Bit sharpeners are worthless (IMO), you'll never get a bit back to it's original sharpness, and once it's gone dull you'll damage more projects than you'll complete.  Bits are cheap, and chances are you're going to use certain sizes repeatedly, you can save money by not buying full indexes every time you dull a bit, just buy multiples of the ones you will use.
 
Also, invest in a good combination square and caliper.
 
Oct 21, 2010 at 1:42 PM Post #15 of 19


Quote:
ujamerstand said:
Center punch simply makes a dent in sheet that you are drilling, so when you drill the drill bit does not drift, and that you'll be drilling in the exact spot you wanted to drill. It made my life a WHOLE lot easier.
 
You could probably take a nail and a hammer at it, but the actual thing will probably work better.
tongue.gif
Click to expand...



 Ah, i thought you were referring to a knockout punch, which some people use for cutting holes for tube sockets. My mistake.
 
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