Has anyone made a one off CNC metal case?

[Jixr]

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.

[SpAmRaY]

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.

[HoffmanMyster]

Photekq had an acquaintance of his mill a case for him. I think it came out close to $900 for the one-off case.

[swill]

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...

[rm-rf]

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

[jbondeson]

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 or a regional metals supplier.

[rm-rf]

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 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.

[Jixr]

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.

[Photekq]

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.

[jdcarpe]

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.

[byker]

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

[joey]

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?

[jdcarpe]

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.

[zlittell]

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.

[Ramage]

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.

[Jixr]

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.

[nubbinator]

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.

[Ramage]

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.

[Pdub]

Good Luck, hope you make something awesome!

[Jixr]

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.

[njbair]

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.

[nubbinator]

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.