I had an idea how to build a resistive box that won't break the bank,bought 2 packs of 1Ω 5% 5W resistors and 10Ω 5% 5W resistors. The rest will be 1/4W 5% carbon resistors here is the proposed schematic I haven't started building it yet :

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the smallest increment is 1 ohm the largest is 19 MΩ. When I get to that point I will print a 3D box for it and post it here.

 

I have a couple of these. I couldn't buy the parts for what they sell them for. Only 1% resistor instead of high precision but good enuff for most of what I do. They use standard dual pin jumpers instead of switches.

 

I have a variety of resistance boxes.

The two I use mostly are this Model 236A from Phipps & Bird,



and this variable twin pot I made from two 10k 10-turn pots with digital knob,

 

Why buy when you can build. I use 5 watts for the lower resistances because I was thinking of power supply loads.

 

I’m thinking, the cost of switches is typically high compared to the cost of resistors and whilst selecting the right switches in a binary fashion will allow you to select any resistance you want the simplicity of a conventional rotary switch arrangement has a lot going for it