What do you think of titanium enclosures?

steviejr92

steviejr92

Authorized Vendor
Just wanted to get some thoughts on using titanium for these enclosures. I know it would be mind blowingly expensive but my thoughts have been running rapidly on how cool one of these would look.....If i do it, it would certainly be a one of one. I dont think it would make sense to use titanium for a production run.

Just wanted to hear what you guys think?
 
steviejr92 said:
Just wanted to get some thoughts on using titanium for these enclosures. I know it would be mind blowingly expensive but my thoughts have been running rapidly on how cool one of these would look.....If i do it, it would certainly be a one of one. I dont think it would make sense to use titanium for a production run.

Just wanted to hear what you guys think?
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I used to be into cycling and always wanted a litespeed bike https://litespeed.com

Because TITANIUM

Lol. So I ain’t gonna tell you not to! I’d love to see it!!
 
Bricksnbeatles said:
It would look cool, but I don’t think it would be worthwhile. I’d say you’re better off just playing chemist and trying to plate either steel or aluminum with different reactions
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I like the steel idea and messing with chemicals to give off different finishes. I think anodized aluminum could be cool.

I was really thinking of using a combination of techniques like ferric chloride, powder coating, and screen printing to make something different.

Have you seen the Beetronics Whoctahell? Im kind of inspired by that pedals visuals and want to use said techniques above to make something "beat-up" if you will.
 
I’ve never worked titanium, but I think bending it might be problematic. If you wanted to spend a bunch of money on fancy sheet metal, brass or copper could be interesting. Either would form nicely and they’d take on some character as they aged and oxidized. I’ve seen a few, but I think they were mostly going for a steam-punk thing, which isn’t usually my jam. I agree with @Harry Klippton - it’s not something I’d want to pay extra for as a consumer, but it would be cool to see as a one-off.
 
steviejr92 said:
Just wanted to get some thoughts on using titanium for these enclosures. I know it would be mind blowingly expensive but my thoughts have been running rapidly on how cool one of these would look.....If i do it, it would certainly be a one of one. I dont think it would make sense to use titanium for a production run.

Just wanted to hear what you guys think?
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Holography is where it's at. ;)
 
Erik S said:
I’ve never worked titanium, but I think bending it might be problematic. If you wanted to spend a bunch of money on fancy sheet metal, brass or copper could be interesting. Either would form nicely and they’d take on some character as they aged and oxidized. I’ve seen a few, but I think they were mostly going for a steam-punk thing, which isn’t usually my jam. I agree with @Harry Klippton - it’s not something I’d want to pay extra for as a consumer, but it would be cool to see as a one-off.
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If you had to pick a steel what grade would you go with for these enclosures?
 
steviejr92 said:
If you had to pick a steel what grade would you go with for these enclosures?
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I honestly wouldn’t. Steel the thickness of the aluminum you’re using isn’t going to be bendable with manually operated tooling, and steel thin enough that you could bend it I don’t think would look very good. All the edges would be thin and sharp. Plus you have to worry about it rusting constantly.

Sheet steel is inexpensive relative to aluminum, so it wouldn’t be too bad to get some to play with. I use steel for templates and sometimes for test bends or prototyping before i commit to cutting up the expensive stuff, but I have a bunch around I got as scrap.
 
steviejr92 said:
Just wanted to get some thoughts on using titanium for these enclosures. I know it would be mind blowingly expensive but my thoughts have been running rapidly on how cool one of these would look.....If i do it, it would certainly be a one of one. I dont think it would make sense to use titanium for a production run.

Just wanted to hear what you guys think?
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Carbon Fibre Faceplate???
 
Erik S said:
I honestly wouldn’t. Steel the thickness of the aluminum you’re using isn’t going to be bendable with manually operated tooling, and steel thin enough that you could bend it I don’t think would look very good. All the edges would be thin and sharp. Plus you have to worry about it rusting constantly.

Sheet steel is inexpensive relative to aluminum, so it wouldn’t be too bad to get some to play with. I use steel for templates and sometimes for test bends or prototyping before i commit to cutting up the expensive stuff, but I have a bunch around I got as scrap.
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Great info man! I’m starting to narrow down what direction I want to go with! My metal break was my biggest concern and you just answered that for me.

music6000 said:
Carbon Fibre Faceplate???
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Man I would love to work with carbon fiber but that’s a masterpiece all on its own. I certainly don’t have the tooling needed to cut one out. I’d shatter it to pieces before it becomes anything 🤣
 
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