Where can I buy blank plastic boxes for electronic gizmo projects?

March 20, 2014 6:00 PM

Where can I buy blank plastic boxes for electronic gizmo projects?

I'm looking for a supplier of plastic boxes, about the size of a tissue box, that would be suitable for mounting circuit boards in - and in which I could drill IO ports or mount buttons as needed - hoping that it's something that also looks nice - as this is for a prototype.

posted by Dag Maggot to Technology (13 answers total)

RadioShack used to sell little blue project boxes. Unless you're buying in bulk, I'd check that out. Or Fry's probably has them.
posted by jeffamaphone at 6:09 PM on March 20, 2014

Response by poster: Sorry, should have said online. I'm overseas in Australia.
posted by Dag Maggot at 6:11 PM on March 20, 2014

Response by poster: Actually the word "project box" as a search term was probably what I needed - so thanks!
posted by Dag Maggot at 6:11 PM on March 20, 2014

Have you tried the storage section of a discount store? I see them there a lot. Or a craft store.
posted by michellenoel at 6:12 PM on March 20, 2014

Response by poster: Thanks - will try there.
posted by Dag Maggot at 6:16 PM on March 20, 2014

Are you searching for something like Serpac Enclosures? Their website has a few links to online distributors like Mouser and Allied Electronics.
posted by cazoo at 6:19 PM on March 20, 2014

I haven't checked if these places ship to Australia, but how about American Science & Surplus, Sparkfun, or Adafruit?
posted by Rob Rockets at 6:31 PM on March 20, 2014

I use lunchboxes and tupperware-style boxes for this sort of thing. There are some perfectly sized ones for a couple of dollars at most supermarkets.

I buy most of my electronics stuff on ebay. There are sellers from Hong Kong for just about anything (probably including project boxes) who ship to AU for free.

Also, if you don't know about it, RS is a great Australian online store for electronics supplies. The name makes me think they might be affiliated with Radio Shack in some way. They have reasonable shipping prices. You can find project boxes there by searching for "enclosures" and then they have like a million sorts. Sort by price and filter by material and your size requirements etc on the left-hand side.
posted by lollusc at 6:44 PM on March 20, 2014

Oh, and by "reasonable shipping", looking more closely, I mean "free". I don't think that was the case last time I ordered from them!
posted by lollusc at 6:48 PM on March 20, 2014

Response by poster: Thanks everyone - great resources.
posted by Dag Maggot at 8:19 PM on March 20, 2014

"Enclosure" can also be a useful search term. Click here.
posted by Harald74 at 12:28 AM on March 21, 2014

if you've got a Jaycar nearby it couldn't hurt to have a poke around and see if anything they've got would suit.
posted by russm at 4:22 AM on March 21, 2014

Every hardware store sells blocks of little sliding-drawer boxes to hold screws, springs, bolts, etc.
posted by KRS at 12:52 PM on March 21, 2014