Transistor Tester Base - Hackerboxes #18

thingiverse

This isn't my first Transistor Tester, so I'm not starting from scratch with this case. When I got my hands on this kit from Hackerboxes #18 (http://www.instructables.com/id/HackerBoxes-0018-Circuit-Circus/), I was impressed by its compact design and variety of tools like frequency and voltage meters, etc. This time, I wanted to take a different approach from traditional bulky cases and create a light, minimalist base that could accommodate the pcb and the 9v battery while still allowing access to an external power adapter when needed (replacing the 9v battery). Here's how I achieved it using a Printrbot simple metal 3D printer with black PLA, but feel free to use different materials and colors to suit your taste. I'm not a fan of metal-plastic friction, so I used four M3 x 5mm x 5.3mm Brass Insert nuts (https://tinyurl.com/yavo62ou) along with four M3-0.5 Metric 6mm Length Screws (https://tinyurl.com/ya6s3gjd) for a perfect fit. Usually, the inserts fit tightly in the base without any glue, but you can use hot glue to ensure they don't slip out. I used a small velcro through the slots on the battery compartment sides to keep the battery securely attached to the base. I also fixed the battery connector to the base with a nylon zip tie. Check the pictures I've attached to see where and how all parts fit together. If you want to take a different approach on the inserts or anything, feel free to edit the project to your needs.