Couple of questions about a control box.

Hey guys I am planning on building J-Karp's countertop Brutus 20 and was wondering if the parts I have selected for the control box are good to go or if there is anything you would change.

One question in particular, would you choose the RTD with weldless fitting for installing in the boil pot or the one with the 1/4" npt threads and screw it into the end of this http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=46&product_id=83

Here are the parts I have selected.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?m...&search_in_description=1&keyword=syl-2362+pid

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=30

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=224

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15&products_id=84

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=118

I will buy the box, power cord, and switch/outlet combo at the local HD.

Thanks in advance for the help.

You might consider getting the pre-cut box from auberins.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7&products_id=143

Cutting a square in a metal HD box could be tricky. At least, it was for me.

Might need some spade and ring terminals and a crimper.

a dremel with abrasive cutoff wheels works very well for making square cutouts in steel, a jigsaw/saber saw works well in aluminum.

marzsit said:

a dremel with abrasive cutoff wheels works very well for making square cutouts in steel, a jigsaw/saber saw works well in aluminum.

Click to expand...

My experience couldn't have been more different. The dremel was basically useless on my steel enclosure. I ended up having to drill holes to remove most of the material and then used a dremel griding stone, but in my drill and not the dremel, to clean up the stuff.

My personal opinion is that dremels should be relegated to the kind of diy projects that you buy your supplies at the Hobby Lobby. Jig saws work fine on steel.

Thanks for the replies guys. I am actually going to be looking for a plastic, water resistant box like the one J-Karp originally used. I always drink while brewing and sometimes tend to spill stuff.

I've built a steel control box and a plastic toolbox control box. The first turned out to be a major clusterfock. I used a grinder, various hole saws and step bits, jigsaw, bitmetal blades, and it was a mess.

For the re-design, I just bought a plastic toolbox. It was so easy. I will NEVER build a metal box again.

If you can build a metal control panel, you're a seriously good DIY'er. Congrats to all those that have done this and ended up with something nice. Seriously.

I got my metal box for extremely cheap. Cost is a huge factor with all this crazy stuff I'm doing with my brewstand, so I had to choose metal over plastic. For circular holes, I used step bits. For rectangular/square holes, I used a jigsaw with a blade that had the most teeth I could find. I used a dremel to clean all the holes. Cheap, quick, and easy.

Using a dremel to cut those square/rectangular would've required the patience of a saint.

With enough of the right tools, pretty much anyone on this forum can quickly/easily become a seriously good DIY'er.

passedpawn said:

I've built a steel control box and a plastic toolbox control box. The first turned out to be a major clusterfock. I used a grinder, various hole saws and step bits, jigsaw, bitmetal blades, and it was a mess.

For the re-design, I just bought a plastic toolbox. It was so easy. I will NEVER build a metal box again.

If you can build a metal control panel, you're a seriously good DIY'er. Congrats to all those that have done this and ended up with something nice. Seriously.

Click to expand...

Agreed, I didn't get around to building a metal control box but I had planned to, and was daunted by the tools I'd need.

I went with a plastic toolbox and it works a treat, I used a total of three tools to do all my holes, including the square for the PID: a 3/8th inch spade bit, a 1 inch spade bit, and an exacto knife. And a drill I guess...four tools.

Everything fits nicely, no problems, just go slow and don't over-expand your holes

AND! It's mostly water proof, AND was $6. Yeah!

Making square cut-outs in panels is very easy with a nibbling tool. You can even make rounds. Google "nibbling tool".