Recessed Cabinet Metal or Plastic?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Recessed Cabinet Metal or Plastic?

jm3

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#300816 6-Oct-2022 11:13

Hi,

Can anyone offer additional advice on the pro/cons of these recessed cabinets from real world experience?

e.g. is the plastic door rubbish and likely to break off quickly...

https://cdlnz.com/HWS-2804V2
https://cdlnz.com/HWS-2803WRV2

Metal: Not great for Wifi, needs earthing, longer lasting

Plastic: Good for wifi, no earthing, might not stand the test of time.

Cheers
Josh

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#2978333 6-Oct-2022 15:14

I’ve only ever used metal cabinets, but your assessment sounds about right to me. I would expect that the plastic cabinets are still reasonably robust though.

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michelangelonz

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#2978369 6-Oct-2022 17:51

If you use the metal one why don't you locate the wifi router/access point elsewhere and just patch it back to a switch in the home hub.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2978382 6-Oct-2022 18:38

I'm planning to install a metal one in a property early next year. Not concerned about WiFi as it would be a silly place to put it.

I wouldn't be surprised if metal cabinets used cheap plastic hinges, locks or latches, so they may not always last longer. An advantage for me, given I plan to invest in a bigger oven one day, is that metal cabinets can be powder coated to freshen them up. Plastic doesn't look good to begin with and it's never going to look as good as it did when new.

Earthing isn't an issue as there will be power to the cabinet anyway.

Stu1

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#2978398 6-Oct-2022 19:53

I put in a metal dynamic 42 one great hinges) , I got some amazing advice on this forum https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumId=66&topicId=273369

jm3

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#2978428 7-Oct-2022 07:08

Thanks. Great info and suggestions. I think I'm leaning towards the metal version.

Quinny

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#2978472 7-Oct-2022 10:06

Umm. Never have solved my issues. Metal was not a good solution for me.

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jm3

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#2982429 13-Oct-2022 19:10

For installation my studs are wider than 400 centers. Will they install just to one stud and a dwang?

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2982430 13-Oct-2022 19:16

jm3: For installation my studs are wider than 400 centers. Will they install just to one stud and a dwang?

Securing the unit on two sides should be fine, but I'd add some wood behind the gib to screw into on both long edges at least. That would help keep the box flush with the wall.

raytaylor

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#2982499 14-Oct-2022 09:28

We see the plastic ones in new houses all the time now.

I have absolutely no problem with them and very much prefer working in them instead of the metal ones.

Just make sure there is space behind the back panel for you to screw into it (for mounting routers) without going through the gib into the next room.

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jm3

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#2982517 14-Oct-2022 10:17

Thanks. The envelope of the plastic one seems quite a lot larger does that make it tricky to butt up against a corner?

raytaylor

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#2982694 14-Oct-2022 16:39

The only corner I would be concerned about is if its near an exterior wall.

I like it when they are on internal walls because its easier to get new cabling down from the attic when you can crawl above it without having a roof in your way. If it must go near/on an external wall then have a bunch of 40mm conduit with a bunch of pull wires above it into the attic.

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jm3

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#3019998 11-Jan-2023 12:28

I finally installed the plastic version.
I'm wondering the best way to attach devices? Any tricks?
Not many holes for lining up with the switch screw holes and seems tricky to feed cable ties through. I did put plywood behind so can drill through the plastic I'd needed.

Jase2985

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#3020074 11-Jan-2023 14:32

most things in my metal cabinet are secured with cable ties

littlehead

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#3020137 11-Jan-2023 14:57

You can attach devices to one of these which then snap/click into the holes on the back of the cabinet. Avoids the annoyance trying to cable tie to the back panel of cabinet, can just cable tie to these if required. Costly if you have lots of devices but if they are thin enough you could stack them.

jm3

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#3020159 11-Jan-2023 15:26

Thanks littlehead. I'll grab one of those brackets and see how it works for my equipment.

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