Source for small metal Electronic Enclosures

[gboop]

I am looking for small metal electronic enclosures for a circuit board. Looking for about 6 x 5 inches in size and three inches high.  Hoping to find a source at $3 to $4 US for small quantities.  I am located in the U.S.  Any ideas for a good source?    I am finding the pricing at the normal distributors such as Digikey, etc. too pricey.

Thanks.

[sacherjj]

For a metal enclosure at that price, you are going to have a hard time.

I use allelectronics.com for boxes.  They have some Aluminum cast boxes that are nice and cheaper than other places.  5.23"x5.3"x2" for under $10 is not bad.  I doubt you will find a metal box that size for those prices.  For $3-4, you have to go with plastic.

[Armin_Balija]

Even with plastic enclosures of that size you'd be hard pressed to find them at $3-4. I use digi-key for anything electronics related usually unless I can find a better deal.

[gboop]

This is exactly the dilemma I am facing.  Spec'ed the solution for a plastic case at $3 to $4 which I can find... and then found out that metal was wanted.  Blows the cost basis out of the water.  Hoping to find something in metal closer to $4 than $10.

[DavidDLC]

How many do you need ?

[gboop]

I will need 10 for a proto run and then another 80 to 120 over the following 12 months.  The numbers are not huge.

[Armin_Balija]

How much would it cost to buy sheet metal? If it were me I'd use a vice and a blowtorch and hammer myself an enclosure..or even cut one up and build one.

[sacherjj]

This is exactly the dilemma I am facing.  Spec'ed the solution for a plastic case at $3 to $4 which I can find... and then found out that metal was wanted.  Blows the cost basis out of the water.  Hoping to find something in metal closer to $4 than $10.

That sounds like a change to the spec and needs a change request, including the associated costs.  If they change the spec, they get to pony up the money.  Can't get something better for nothing.

[gboop]

This is exactly the dilemma I am facing.  Spec'ed the solution for a plastic case at $3 to $4 which I can find... and then found out that metal was wanted.  Blows the cost basis out of the water.  Hoping to find something in metal closer to $4 than $10.

That sounds like a change to the spec and needs a change request, including the associated costs.  If they change the spec, they get to pony up the money.  Can't get something better for nothing.

This is the path I am pursuing.  Looks like we will have some success.