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Scout95
Regular Member


Joined: 01 Mar 2015
Posts: 28

PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 9:11 pm    Post subject: Hard Cases Reply with quote

I was wondering if anyone had any experiences with making their own hard travel case? A raw brass case is roughly 400 and these other options are under 150, would it be unwise to cut the foam and use these for a case? I plan on making it for 2 trumpets, a monette mouthpiece case, metronome and other necessities. That way you have the freedom of customization for an affordable price. Also, I know size is another question that my rise.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WXVU0O0/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=ITFNDXXBL0TAX&colid=9FFISZRD3SRO&psc=0

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LLNMT7W/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1JDGTO9G3737R&colid=9FFISZRD3SRO&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008HQ6RNS/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I12HVM5FTJ9WQR&colid=9FFISZRD3SRO&psc=0

Thanks all!
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dstpt
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Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1272

PostPosted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 10:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I own a lot of cases, but I have seriously considered making a custom case over the past couple of years. Pelican and Seahorse cases, of course, are leaders in the industry of these types of cases. Looks like you've found some good ones. I've done lots of online searches, trying to find the right case size for unique horn combinations. The following site will allow you to enter your interior case dimensions:

http://www.pelicandealer.com/casefinder.aspx

I also came across Monoprice.com. If you go to their website, search for "Weatherproof Hard Case with Customizable Foam."

The following case could probably work as a triple trumpet case: Product #12182...
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=12182
Weatherproof Hard Case with Customizable Foam, 22 x 14 x 8 in
ONLY $75.99!!!
Or this one with wheels: #12139 for $140.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=12139

Some people have gotten cases like these, picked the foam pieces to produce a form-fit, and lined the interior with a soft fabric (velour, felt, satin). I haven't done any of that...yet. I will say that picking the foam is time-consuming...

Two weeks ago, I bought two of the following small cases to house a bunch of mouthpieces:

Product #12680 Weatherproof hard case, 10x8x4 (inches)
https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=117&cp_id=11703&cs_id=1170305&p_id=12680&seq=1&format=2

I can fit over 30 trumpet/cornet/flugel mpcs standing up. The cases snap shut with a very firm seal. Cost was $22.75 ea = $45.50 + about $15 s/h/tax = ~$62 total. Both cases are now filled, btw.

It took me awhile to learn the best way to pick the foam. I ended up doing the following:
• I pulled the foam padding out of the case.
• I chose where I was going to pick the first foam piece. I decided there would be enough clearance to keep the lid from hitting the mouthpiece rim by selecting a foam piece only one foam piece in and over from a corner.
• I used an ice pick to gently "separate" the walls of that one piece. As I worked downward (toward the center of the foam padding), I could tell when I was about half way. At that point, I started with the ice pick on the same foam piece from the other side. All I had to do then was "separate" the viewable side of that foam piece and then go back to the first side and just push the foam piece with the ice pick. It would then gently dislodge intact without tearing up the inner walls and pulling material from adjacent foam pieces. Be careful not to stab yourself. You could also use a small knife. I tried multiple ways before discovering/stumbling upon this "technique." It consistently worked from then on. I would guess that the larger cases with larger foam pieces will not be as difficult to remove.
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dstpt
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1272

PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another option I may consider is to get a lid organizer...

https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1609-Organizer-Ballistic-Nylon/dp/B00152TKDK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1515853514&sr=1-2&keywords=pelican+lid+organizer

I'm wondering if a lid organizer could also be used as an additional separator of, say, two layers of horns with something like a Pelican 1607...

http://www.pelican.com/us/en/pro/product/watertight-protector-hard-cases/large-case/air-case/1607/

Let me know if you find a source for material used for the lid organizers (fabric-covered, half-inch copolymer polypropylene). It might be good to have that kind of material separating horns in addition to the foam. Not sure.

If I was to get a Pelican, I'd probably not get anything smaller than a 1600 series. The 1500 series would be okay if I wanted to uniquely combine various piccolo trumpets or cornets, or even my Adams F4 flugel might fit in some of the 1500 series cases, since it is only 18 inches with the tuning pipe collapsed.

I like the Seahorse SE920FPL,OR Protective Equipment Case in orange...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LLNJY34/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1JDGTO9G3737R&colid=9FFISZRD3SRO&th=1

Seahorse makes their own lid organizers, of course.

As a side note, a close friend of mine who is a band director was cleaning out his attic last week and found three sturdy, metal, "shipping-type" cases for trumpet (single), horn (detachable bell design), and trombone. He gave them to me, knowing that I've been entertaining the thought of making some specialty cases for various horn combinations for certain-type gigs. (I played a funeral this week, where I needed flugel, C tpt, Eb tpt, and piccolo. Tons of playing. A celebrative service, for sure. I was able to make due with my GARD quadruple, but it is a little scary positioning separators and additional rags with some bells up and some down.) The next step is to gut them and get foam and other material to turn them into custom cases. I'm not too pumped about it, because I know projects like these are time-consuming. This past fall, someone posted a similar thread on TH, because he wanted to build a case for a custom Dizzy-bell horn he was having made. Do a search on TH for "Custom case." Lots of additional info there.
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benlewis
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Joined: 21 Jan 2004
Posts: 1007
Location: Memphis, TN

PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 7:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have used this company before; they are very easy to work with:

https://www.mycasebuilder.com

The foam comes with the void pieces included, so you may make Support pieces to fine tune the fit.

HTH

Ben
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USCGRick
Regular Member


Joined: 15 Dec 2017
Posts: 20
Location: Tampa, FL

PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 8:32 am    Post subject: Hard cases Reply with quote

One thing to consider is the foam. The inexpensive open cell foam will retain moisture. Not good for long term storage. It’s fine for back and forth etc. invest in a closed foam pad. It’s thinner, more stable,doesn’t retain moisture and offers better protection. Yes more expensive but look at what we’re protecting as an investment.
Don’t skimp on the covering of the foam. Many can scratch the finish even though they feel soft.
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dstpt
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1272

PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 4:52 pm    Post subject: Re: Hard cases Reply with quote

USCGRick wrote:
One thing to consider is the foam. The inexpensive open cell foam will retain moisture. Not good for long term storage. It’s fine for back and forth etc. invest in a closed foam pad. It’s thinner, more stable,doesn’t retain moisture and offers better protection. Yes more expensive but look at what we’re protecting as an investment.
Don’t skimp on the covering of the foam. Many can scratch the finish even though they feel soft.


I just did a search for "closed foam pad" and got the following as one result:

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Foam/Closed_Cell/index.html

How do you think we could implement this into the design? I guess we could use MyCaseBuilder.com and submit dimensions for the horns/mpcs, but allow extra space to overlay a thin layer of closed foam pad. The final question is where to find the covering for the foam. Suggestions? Or, are there any fabrics that would be anti-mold/moisture-resistant and not harm the finish of a horn, so that we could combine the moisture concern with the non-abrasive fabric element? Or could we just use a water repellant spray on the overlay fabric? Ideas?
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LittleRusty
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Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 12647
Location: Gardena, Ca

PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you have a silver horn you might want anti-tarnish fabric too. Although I believe 3M sells something you can just place in the case.
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dstpt
Heavyweight Member


Joined: 14 Dec 2005
Posts: 1272

PostPosted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 5:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

LittleRusty wrote:
If you have a silver horn you might want anti-tarnish fabric too. Although I believe 3M sells something you can just place in the case.


Thanks. Just remembered that I already have some of this from a previous project a few years ago...maybe enough for lining these three older hard cases given to me. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I would imagine silver cloth would be okay against any horn, gold plated, lacquered, or raw brass.
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