On Sun, 03 Jul 2005 18:45:29 +0200, Brian Chapman
<
cornbeltroute@...> wrote:
> I'm tackling the building of the EDM device I mentioned in an earlier
> post. Ordering most of the electronics parts today. But. . . .
> The enclosure (12"x12"5" minimum needed for heat dispersal) is to be
> built from sheet steel or aluminum (1/16"). The author presents three
> methods of building the enclosure; I'd like to do what he did, use
> aluminum brackets (L-shaped) to join together aluminum pieces --
> sides, ends, floor, cover.
> I'm hoping someone here might have built a similar enclosure and might
> provide advice about how to join all the aluminum pieces together . .
> . drill holes, nuts and bolts the only way? Thought there might be
> some sort of space-age adhesive that might work.
> Thought I might try to scrounge up an old metal computer enclosure, too.
> Thanks for the help,
> Brian
> Brian Chapman
> Evansdale, Iowa
I've never build large enclosures, as i usually re-use old stuff, but for
small enclosures the following works well:
Bend two pieces of aluminum to a C shape, the one piece forms top and
sides, the other piece forms bottom and front/back.For a larger enclosure
you probably want to use brackets or bent back "ears" on front/back/bottom
to screw things together.
The top piece is slightly larger and the two are just slipped together,
rotated 90 degrees.
Other than that, i think you can't really do anything wrong here no matter
how you make the enclosure.
Gluing wouldn't allow easy disassembly, but epoxy holds well on metals
(maybe to glue brackets on one side). I'd prefer screws and rivets. Don't
try brazing/welding aluminum unless you have a tig welder.
ST