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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Jixr on Fri, 16 October 2015, 14:45:20

Title: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: Jixr on Fri, 16 October 2015, 14:45:20
Hi all, so i'm really wanting a metal case for one of my keyboards, but its pretty much impossible to find someone sellilng a lightsaver case.

I was thinking of having one made for me.

I do 3d modeling and cad work for a living, so the design is done, but just unsure of what i could expect the cost of something like this to be.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 16 October 2015, 14:47:14
I would say spitballin plan on at least $500 if not more. It would all depend on you finding a shop to work with you and assume it all works out good the first go around.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:06:22
Photekq had an acquaintance of his mill a case for him. I think it came out close to $900 for the one-off case.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: swill on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:08:17
Hi all, so i'm really wanting a metal case for one of my keyboards, but its pretty much impossible to find someone sellilng a lightsaver case.

I was thinking of having one made for me.

I do 3d modeling and cad work for a living, so the design is done, but just unsure of what i could expect the cost of something like this to be.

nudeCNC makes them.  I would recommend getting his feedback...
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: rm-rf on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:12:01
if i had a block of aluminum i'd make a case for myself.
now you've got me googling where to buy it.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: jbondeson on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:17:35
This is going to be dominated by CNC time and setup costs, so you'd first have to find a shop willing to do a one off for you.

if i had a block of aluminum i'd make a case for myself.
now you've got me googling where to buy it.

OnlineMetals (http://www.onlinemetals.com) or a regional metals supplier.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: rm-rf on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:19:02
This is going to be dominated by CNC time and setup costs, so you'd first have to find a shop willing to do a one off for you.

if i had a block of aluminum i'd make a case for myself.
now you've got me googling where to buy it.

OnlineMetals (http://www.onlinemetals.com) or a regional metals supplier.

i am about to venture into milling it with hand tools...
so then it really is a "one off" ha
its fairly cheep... maybe i'l make two.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: Jixr on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:23:09
yeah, thats kinda what i was afraid of. I'd just go hunt down a used lightsaver then.

My redscarf's case is acrylic, and its terrible. I have a few other ideas to help it out, but looking for something thats a bit more cost effective. Maybe a wooden case.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: Photekq on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:35:31
Photekq had an acquaintance of his mill a case for him. I think it came out close to $900 for the one-off case.
It was about £550, so yeah around $900.. That was including 2 plates and anodising though. Also, that was done by a hobbyist with a homemade mill.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: jdcarpe on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:38:30
I have a one-off CNC milled anodized alu case for my JD45 prototype. I had it milled in China, and it cost me around $300.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: byker on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:39:49
I have a one-off CNC milled anodized alu case for my JD45 prototype. I had it milled in China, and it cost me around $300.

Could you point us to who you used? I am curious. Thanks JD
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: joey on Fri, 16 October 2015, 15:51:17
I have a one-off CNC milled anodized alu case for my JD45 prototype. I had it milled in China, and it cost me around $300.

Could you point us to who you used? I am curious. Thanks JD
And can you link to pics?
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: jdcarpe on Fri, 16 October 2015, 16:06:47
I have a one-off CNC milled anodized alu case for my JD45 prototype. I had it milled in China, and it cost me around $300.

Could you point us to who you used? I am curious. Thanks JD
And can you link to pics?

It's a company in Shenzen called StrongD. www.strongd.cn

And I don't have any pics yet. I will get some soon, though. :)
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: zlittell on Sun, 18 October 2015, 03:26:57
You could always send it through Protomolds quoting software for their FirstCut service.  I know its expensive I just am not sure how expensive.  I know of a few companies around me that have used them when they needed quick turn around one offs.  However, the words "cost is not a factor" were often used to describe the urgency at which they needed the parts lol.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: Ramage on Mon, 19 October 2015, 02:45:15
How complex is the 3d model? I've been building a CNC router that could probably cut it out but I won't be finished with it for a few weeks.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: Jixr on Wed, 21 October 2015, 12:30:39
How complex is the 3d model? I've been building a CNC router that could probably cut it out but I won't be finished with it for a few weeks.

Basically a brick with the interior milled out and standoffs, nothing flashy at all.

I like my stuff clean and simple.

Though I may look into finding a wood worker who may could make me a custom case, or even attempt one myself.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 21 October 2015, 15:01:40
I have a one-off CNC milled anodized alu case for my JD45 prototype. I had it milled in China, and it cost me around $300.

Could you point us to who you used? I am curious. Thanks JD
And can you link to pics?

It's a company in Shenzen called StrongD. www.strongd.cn

And I don't have any pics yet. I will get some soon, though. :)

Thanks for that link.  I'm waiting on a quote from them.  They've ranged from $900-3000 so far.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: Ramage on Wed, 21 October 2015, 19:50:03
How complex is the 3d model? I've been building a CNC router that could probably cut it out but I won't be finished with it for a few weeks.

Basically a brick with the interior milled out and standoffs, nothing flashy at all.

I like my stuff clean and simple.

Though I may look into finding a wood worker who may could make me a custom case, or even attempt one myself.

If that's the case then the G-code would be pretty simple.  I'll check back in a few weeks when my machine is actually done. I wouldn't mind running it as a test piece as long as materials and shipping were covered but that's assuming my machine isn't garbage.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: Pdub on Wed, 21 October 2015, 22:22:55
Good Luck, hope you make something awesome!
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: Jixr on Sat, 24 October 2015, 00:28:16
Yeah. I have a few ideas and I'm trying to decide which direction to go.

A metal case is out because of the cost, but wood I can afford.


There are many people in my area who do wood CNc and
Laser cutting so I could do a layered type case and glue it all together but I'd really like a solid milled out design.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: njbair on Sat, 24 October 2015, 15:01:48
I have a one-off CNC milled anodized alu case for my JD45 prototype. I had it milled in China, and it cost me around $300.

Could you point us to who you used? I am curious. Thanks JD
And can you link to pics?

It's a company in Shenzen called StrongD. www.strongd.cn

And I don't have any pics yet. I will get some soon, though. :)

Thanks for that link.  I'm waiting on a quote from them.  They've ranged from $900-3000 so far.
Is that for the art deco case? I want to see that thing get made.
Title: Re: Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 24 October 2015, 15:06:00
That's the one.  I'm waiting on a few more, but I had one cone back from China for about $500 shipped with black hard anodizing. I'd still need the standoffs tapped.