While
working on my "new to me" Spectralight (Sherline) cnc lathe, I was
having some problems with noise. I decided that the electronics really
needed to be inside a metal box instead if just bolted to a piece of
plywood.
(This lathe came to me with no electronics, other than the Minarik DC control for the Baldor spindle motor.)
Sticker shock! I was amazed what they want for simple metal boxes!
After mulling this over for a while, I decided to look for defunct electronics at the local second hand stores. I figured an old VCR or maybe a DVD player would fill the bill.
I was surprised to find that most were plastic, and the thrift shops thought they had gold in them.
I did, however, find a suitable enclosure. (I forgot to take pictures before the mayhem, so these first two are from the Internet).
(This lathe came to me with no electronics, other than the Minarik DC control for the Baldor spindle motor.)
Sticker shock! I was amazed what they want for simple metal boxes!
After mulling this over for a while, I decided to look for defunct electronics at the local second hand stores. I figured an old VCR or maybe a DVD player would fill the bill.
I was surprised to find that most were plastic, and the thrift shops thought they had gold in them.
I did, however, find a suitable enclosure. (I forgot to take pictures before the mayhem, so these first two are from the Internet).
It’s
an old Gemini cable converter box. It has a full steel top with sides,
and a steel chassis with front and rear flanges.
It's 9 7/8" long by 6 1/2" wide and 2 1/8" deep.
There
is a plastic front bezel, but it's mostly cosmetic and removes easily.
And while there are some large openings front and rear, it will be easy
enough to cover these, if necessary. It even has nice, screwed on
rubber feet!
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It's 9 7/8" long by 6 1/2" wide and 2 1/8" deep.
It
was about a 10 minute job to gut the box, and I kept a few goodies,
like the 24V power supply with a relay on board, and a few slide
switches.
There
was also a two digit 7 segment display, and various resistors and
capacitors, but I tossed all that. I have enough crap cluttering my
small shop.
I know this looks like a rat's nest, but I think it will all fit in it's new home.
There is a C-10 breakout board, 2 Gecko G-251 stepper drivers, a C-3 index pulse card and a C-41 PWM Variable Speed Control Board.
I may even use the 120V AC Receptacle for a relay output.