the cheapest way to produce a shielded box

[MacIntoshCZ]

I would like to make some shielded boxes for several diy PSUs. Do you have any idea whats cheapest way to do it? If I buy a metal plate, the box itself will be more expensive than all electronics

 

[MaxHeadRoom78]

For custom metal fabricating I make use of the Tin 1Kg coffee containers, easy to work if you have tin shears etc, also easy to solder.
The non-ribbed can is preferable.

 

[MacIntoshCZ]

For custom metal fabricating I make use of the Tin 1Kg coffee containers, easy to work if you have tin shears etc, also easy to solder.
The non-ribbed can is preferable.

Thanks

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I used to love building small projects in tobacco tins, ideal for small preamps and RF projects. You could solder the ground lugs of tag strips inside the can, and build the projects on the tag strips, with ground connections direct to the can itself. Or often, just solder the components to the can, and do all the wring free form in the air inside.

You could make a larger case just by soldering PCB sheets together, it's always been a fairly common technique - again, particularly for preamps and RF.

 

[MaxHeadRoom78]

Another method I use for circuit boxes, is the food containers from Dollar Store with the interlocking lid closures.
They could be sprayed internally and externally with conductive circuit paint.

 

[MacIntoshCZ]

How good tinfoil can block radiation? If a remember i tried once to cover smartphone with tinfoil and play music from youtube. It not works. Wifi still worked

 

[rjenkinsgb]

Have a look on ebay and the chinese sites first - you can often buy boxes at less than the materials cost in Europe..
eg.

electrical enclosure box metal site:aliexpress.com - Google Search

Other than that, you can get metallised paint for adding screening in enclosures, or self-adhesive copper foil which works well and is easily solderable to improve connectivity.
eg.

EMI/RFI Shielding Aerosol With Bronze colour 400mL | RS

uk.rs-online.com

 

[nsaspook]

How good tinfoil can block radiation? If a remember i tried once to cover smartphone with tinfoil and play music from youtube. It not works. Wifi still worked

If you use tinfoil (only useful to stop mind reading) you need to really have a solid metallic absolutely continuous contact on all edges. Any small air gap is a slot antenna at several GHz and the signals will travel as surface waves (aka wave-guide) around the shielding.

 

[Externet]

----> https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffsb&q=square+tin+cans&iax=images&ia=images

 

[MacIntoshCZ]

I also found mesh with 2*2mm squares for bees managing. Is there any calculator how much db will it block at certain frequncy?

 

[rjenkinsgb]

It should pretty much block anything with a wavelength more than twice the hole size, I believe.

2mm holes are about what's used in microwave oven doors to allow visibility of the contents.

 

[danadak]

Conductive spray coatings -

Google "spray coating emi"

MG Chemicals 841AR-340G - Super Shield Nickel Conductive Coating

<p>The MG Chemicals 841AR-340G is a steel gray conductive coating that comes in a 340 g can. The conductive coating is designed to provide high oxidation resistance and durability.</p><b>MG Chemicals 841AR-340G Features:</b><ul><li>Low VOC HAP Free Does not contain toulene, xylene, or...

www.all-spec.com

Regards, Dana.

 

[atferrari]

Altoids used to be popular for small audio / RF projects. Not sure if they are even sold today.

 

[augustinetez]

Altoids used to be popular for small audio / RF projects. Not sure if they are even sold today.

You can buy the tins on Ebay - new without the contents (and I suspect available elsewhere).

Search for 'Altoids mints sized tin'

 

[Ian Rogers]

I use a cheapo box.... ( £20 ish) And I buy nickel shielding spray

NSCP400H, EMI/RFI Shielding Aerosol costs £29 for a tin but lasts a good while I could cover the internals of 25 boxes at a time.

 

[gophert]

How good tinfoil can block radiation? If a remember i tried once to cover smartphone with tinfoil and play music from youtube. It not works. Wifi still worked

How did you prevent YouTube from buffering the entire song before you finished wrapping your phone?

 

[MacIntoshCZ]

How did you prevent YouTube from buffering the entire song before you finished wrapping your phone?

I played live radio-cast

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I played live radio-cast

Good answer!