I really love metal cages around my PCBs.. it offers protection, electrical noise isolation, and improved looks.
I know there are other options out there but please, lets keep this topic on metal enclosures only.
I looked into getting a sheet metal brake to make my own but side from the huge amount of space that takes up and skill required to use it I'd still need to do things like make vent holes and cut outs which requires a whole other set of expensive tools.
For a while I've kept my eye out for cases on other equipment that might work for this task, it's been slow going but this is what I've got so far:
228x195x63mm MITXPC MX500: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B575EMA/
it's pretty small but take out the PSU components (which could be useful for other projects) and it's a simple box with a nice opening in the back for a JAMMA edge, could be useful for those small CAVE PCBs.
284x307x47mm Lian-Li PC-Q05: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008ZXO0ZU/
I think this one could be a winner for a lot of PCBs, it's decent sized once you remove a couple of the internal brackets and it looks like a slim Lindbergh which is cool. it might need some cutting away of the back depending on the JAMMA edge placement, but for the most part this seems like it could be a solid option for a lot of boards.
482x395x89mm iStarUSA D-213-MATX-DT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061ELK2G/
This would likely require a lot of cutting in the back for most applications but This is actually a 2U rack-mount case so it's monstrous so you could fit some big boards (maybe Primal Rage would fit?) or useful for setups with a lot of parts (like maybe a NAOMI with a SUN PSU and I/O board all in one case). I'm sure other rack mount cases would work but this is one of the few I found without massive handles and brackets on the front.
I'm thinking about taking some measurements of a few boards and then maybe picking up the Lian-Li case if it looks like it will work.
I know a few others out there are interested in cages for their PCBs... if you come across any good potential cases, or maybe you've used one before post it up along with what PCBs you think it will work with.
I know there are other options out there but please, lets keep this topic on metal enclosures only.
I looked into getting a sheet metal brake to make my own but side from the huge amount of space that takes up and skill required to use it I'd still need to do things like make vent holes and cut outs which requires a whole other set of expensive tools.
For a while I've kept my eye out for cases on other equipment that might work for this task, it's been slow going but this is what I've got so far:
228x195x63mm MITXPC MX500: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B575EMA/
it's pretty small but take out the PSU components (which could be useful for other projects) and it's a simple box with a nice opening in the back for a JAMMA edge, could be useful for those small CAVE PCBs.
284x307x47mm Lian-Li PC-Q05: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008ZXO0ZU/
I think this one could be a winner for a lot of PCBs, it's decent sized once you remove a couple of the internal brackets and it looks like a slim Lindbergh which is cool. it might need some cutting away of the back depending on the JAMMA edge placement, but for the most part this seems like it could be a solid option for a lot of boards.
482x395x89mm iStarUSA D-213-MATX-DT: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061ELK2G/
This would likely require a lot of cutting in the back for most applications but This is actually a 2U rack-mount case so it's monstrous so you could fit some big boards (maybe Primal Rage would fit?) or useful for setups with a lot of parts (like maybe a NAOMI with a SUN PSU and I/O board all in one case). I'm sure other rack mount cases would work but this is one of the few I found without massive handles and brackets on the front.
I'm thinking about taking some measurements of a few boards and then maybe picking up the Lian-Li case if it looks like it will work.
I know a few others out there are interested in cages for their PCBs... if you come across any good potential cases, or maybe you've used one before post it up along with what PCBs you think it will work with.
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