thermionic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2004
- Messages
- 1,671
A client's commissioned me to make a custom item for him. I usually make said item in a 1U case. He wants two items, but in a 1U case...
I can make it symmetrical and neat in a 2U case, internally and externally. It'll look like a commercial product, as does the production 1U version.
It can be done in a 1U case, but the wiring will be a dog's dinner and the connections on the rear panel cramped (to the point where I'll have to use cheaper sockets instead of the usual Neutrik ones I use). It'll be 300mm deep and there could be a risk that, long-term, the rack ears will warp (unless I commission a machinist to make a thicker panel for more $$).
He's said he'll accept a 2U version if all else fails, but doesn't seem very happy about it. Obviously, because the 1U version isn't as neat, my 'pride' as an engineer is affected. I want him to be happy with his gadget for yrs to come...but I don't want to put my name to a dog's dinner...
What would you do?
Cheers,
J
edit - one option would be to tell him he's got to pay for an SMD PCB to be designed so the product can be executed neatly... There's also the fact that SMD will need different components, so could potentially sound different to the units he's already heard (I say 'potentially', you know about golden ears...). I doubt he'll want to pay for that.
I can make it symmetrical and neat in a 2U case, internally and externally. It'll look like a commercial product, as does the production 1U version.
It can be done in a 1U case, but the wiring will be a dog's dinner and the connections on the rear panel cramped (to the point where I'll have to use cheaper sockets instead of the usual Neutrik ones I use). It'll be 300mm deep and there could be a risk that, long-term, the rack ears will warp (unless I commission a machinist to make a thicker panel for more $$).
He's said he'll accept a 2U version if all else fails, but doesn't seem very happy about it. Obviously, because the 1U version isn't as neat, my 'pride' as an engineer is affected. I want him to be happy with his gadget for yrs to come...but I don't want to put my name to a dog's dinner...
What would you do?
Cheers,
J
edit - one option would be to tell him he's got to pay for an SMD PCB to be designed so the product can be executed neatly... There's also the fact that SMD will need different components, so could potentially sound different to the units he's already heard (I say 'potentially', you know about golden ears...). I doubt he'll want to pay for that.