Plastic enclosures / project boxes

[Stonent]

I seem to be having trouble finding plastic enclosures that are less expensive than the projects I want to put inside them.

Any suggestions? I'm hoping to get it from some place a little faster than what I could do on Aliexpress.

I can't justify paying $5 to $7 to house an adjustable 555 oscillator built on strip board.

I tend to frequent dollar stores to look for reusable items but really all they have are thin food containers.

I'm looking for stuff in the range of 3"x5"x1" or 5"x7"x1"

Altoids containers seem to be either not wide enough or thick enough. I miss the old metal bandaid containers from the 80s and earlier.

I don't mind if these containers were previously some other kind of housing as long as there's not a big open end on them.

[JohnnyGringo]

How about spice tins/jars:http://www.specialtybottle.com/tinsquaredeepcontainer8ozwcleartopcover.aspx

Tins are less than $1 USD.  I've never ordered from these folks nor do I endorse their products. Like that would really matter anyway...

EDIT: They also have plastic containers for $0.86  http://www.specialtybottle.com/amberheavywallpetplasticjarsmi.aspx

[Thor-Arne]

Something like this ?

[Len]

Sparkfun has a small project box for $3.95:
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/138
But they'll probably ship it in one of their nice red cardboard boxes which you can also use as a project box. Two for the price of one!

[Stonent]

That last one got me thinking of other places to look for "reusable" boxes. Maybe something jewelry related. (gears are turning in my brain)

[minime72706]

See if anything at pactec suits your budget and needs: http://www.pactecenclosures.com/product-detail.php?productid=106&seriesid=57&classid=27

That's just an example - I personally don't find $5 - $7 unreasonable if the project was worth building in the first place. --- If the project is worth keeping safe and functional, it's worth a $5 enclosure in my book.

[codeboy2k]

How about spice tins/jars:http://www.specialtybottle.com/tinsquaredeepcontainer8ozwcleartopcover.aspx

I might try some of those tin enclosures.. for one-offs and small projects/prototypes... thanks for the link.
They even have a windowed one with a hinged top

[JohnnyGringo]

Please, if you do order a few, let us all know how they worked out for you.

[Whuffo]

See if anything at pactec suits your budget and needs: http://www.pactecenclosures.com/product-detail.php?productid=106&seriesid=57&classid=27

That's just an example - I personally don't find $5 - $7 unreasonable if the project was worth building in the first place. --- If the project is worth keeping safe and functional, it's worth a $5 enclosure in my book.

I've used PacTec enclosures and they're very nice - highly recommended for smaller projects.

[casinada]

1.- Radio Shack has clearances from time to time
2.- Dumpster diving
3.- Junk yard in your town
4.- Thrift stores
5.- Hobby Stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc) (Hobby Town, etc)
6.- Hardware store (Lowes, Home Depot, Ace, True Value)
6.- Local electronic stores (Fry's electronics, etc)
7.- Surplus stores
8.- Garage sales
9.- Look in your garage, I'm sure you have a pile of electronics that don't work anymore and they're waiting to be taken apart
10.- Candy Store (buy those chocolates in a nice plastic box )
 

[SArepairman]

I feel like the time I take to put a project together (especially if I solder it) will end up making a several dollar box worth it.

You might also want to check out an old wall wart or power supply, once the cables are removed they make a formidable box in which you can cut your own holes and stuff.
Like rectangular power bricks that are broke.

[minime72706]

I feel like the time I take to put a project together (especially if I solder it) will end up making a several dollar box worth it.

You might also want to check out an old wall wart or power supply, once the cables are removed they make a formidable box in which you can cut your own holes and stuff.
Like rectangular power bricks that are broke.

+1

One tip I have is that Weatherproof PVC Electrical Outlet Boxes are pretty cost-effective weather-resistance enclosures - Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

[Stonent]

1.- Radio Shack has clearances from time to time
2.- Dumpster diving
3.- Junk yard in your town
4.- Thrift stores
5.- Hobby Stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc) (Hobby Town, etc)
6.- Hardware store (Lowes, Home Depot, Ace, True Value)
6.- Local electronic stores (Fry's electronics, etc)
7.- Surplus stores
8.- Garage sales
9.- Look in your garage, I'm sure you have a pile of electronics that don't work anymore and they're waiting to be taken apart
10.- Candy Store (buy those chocolates in a nice plastic box )
 

I have no garage Just a small apartment.

But I'm getting a lot of good ideas from this thread.

[Smokey]

If you are just going for protection and not looking great, there are a ton of little boxes that cheap tools come in from Harbor Freight.  The up side is that you not only get a project box, but you get some great cheap chinese tools.  All for under 5 bucks

http://www.harborfreight.com/electronic-repair-kit-67062.html

[codeboy2k]

10.- Candy Store (buy those chocolates in a nice plastic box )

I'm ok with this.  Jim Williams used a cookie tin once (maybe more than once!) for a shielded enclosure. 
I have a round cookie tin waiting to be similarly used once the contents are deliciously consumed...mmm Royal Dansk

[Smokey]

I'm ok with this.  Jim Williams used a cookie tin once (maybe more than once!) for a shielded enclosure. 

Metal 1gallon paint cans work well for this too.

[minime72706]

10.- Candy Store (buy those chocolates in a nice plastic box )

I'm ok with this.  Jim Williams used a cookie tin once (maybe more than once!) for a shielded enclosure. 
I have a round cookie tin waiting to be similarly used once the contents are deliciously consumed...mmm Royal Dansk

I just picked up a tin of these less than a couple of hours ago!

[Stonent]

I'm ok with this.  Jim Williams used a cookie tin once (maybe more than once!) for a shielded enclosure. 

Metal 1gallon paint cans work well for this too.

http://www.diyphysics.com/2013/01/12/a-low-cost-super-sensitive-paint-can-scintillation-probe-for-the-prutchi-cdv700-pro/

[lapm]

For some small projects i have used kitchen containers.. Yes not pro looking but gets the job done. Cheap too from local supermarket. Also different size plastic storage containers for bigger stuff.

Definitely not high-tech and not for sensitive stuff.

Other then that old medicine pill bottles, etc... have usually found new use after some time.