RobVG
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 737
Loc: Seattle Washington
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I'd like to make a case to transport my OTA. I was just wondering if anyone had any pictures or plans of cases they've made? I'm also curious if you were able to leave the finder(s)on the scope or not?
I'd just like to avoid reinventing the wheel. 
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C11 SGT(XLT)CG-5
Observatory (page 5)
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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Hi Rob: I expect you will get a few ideas when everyone gets home from work and sees your post, so in the mean time I will tell you that I have a nice wooden case, not built by myself, which came with a 70mm refractor I got about 5 years ago. The finder is removed for transport, and everything fits nicely inside.
I expect that you are talking about a case for your C11, so that would be nothing like a baby refractor.
I am somewhat surprised that most of the SCT's that arrive at our star party often arrive in their original cardboard box, with the original foam of course.
I would think that it should be quite easy to make a wooden box to fit the foam, and then you would have a much stronger setup than when it left the factory.
There are commercial suppliers for these things, but since you indicate you would like to make your own, that might be an easy way to go about it.
Keith
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RobVG
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 737
Loc: Seattle Washington
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Thanks for the input Keith.
I do have the original foam/box but I'd like to come up with something a little more compact. I have a small pickup and would like to take the scope camping, but it, along with the mount and tripod and accessories, might not leave enough room for camping gear. I also don't want to buy a "grab and go" at this time.
Rob
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C11 SGT(XLT)CG-5
Observatory (page 5)
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mattyfatz
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 12/27/06
Posts: 1293
Loc: Boise Idaho
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As far as original boxes go... I put about three layers of duct-tape all over the outside of the box, and then a layer of clear packing tape, for moisture protection. some self adhesive velcro to keep the flaps closed. Its not pretty but for about $10.00 I have a nice protective "case" for my C6.
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**Matty**
Stimulating the economy, one piece of equipment at a time.   
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JohnH
professor emeritus
Reged: 10/04/05
Posts: 734
Loc: vancouver near the wilds of B...
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Yes, I built a case for my Intes 8" f/10.
I used 3/4" finger-jointed african mahogany, and the tube was supported by three circular cradles dadoed into the sides and top of the case, with a plywood bottom. hat wasn't wood was 1/2" baltic birch, which was definetly worth the money for that touch.
I would make the case only 1/2" or 7/16 next time,as it is pretty heavy esp with the tube inside.
If you search my posts, you shoulsd find a photo or ten of it.
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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OK Rob, you just gave me another idea. Why not cut your foam down very carefully until it is just slightly larger than the scope, and then build your case around that? You wouldn't be able to get it much smaller. And you would know that the foam would be a perfect fit.
Might be worth a try.
Keith
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jcjr
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 563
Loc: TN, USA
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Apologies if this is so common knowledge not worth mentioning, or otherwise foolish idea--
Musicians and pro sound folks carry about everything in Anvil cases, and cases 'built in the same style' as Anvil cases. Plywood panels with epoxy paint, aluminum edging, a certain type of corner protector. A certain type of aluminum extrusion to make easy-mating clamshell pieces, and certain types of 'pull-up-tight' rotating lock latches. They go together like tinkertoys.
In my area there are a couple of small-time pro-audio companies who make those cases to spec, and if my backwoods area has a couple, then Seattle might have 20 (grin).
Just sayin-- It ain't rocket science, once you know what parts to get and where to get them. Calling and visiting a pro-sound outfit that does custom work, you could probably find out what you need to know, and they might sell the hardware you need out of shop stock.
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Alternate thought-- Seattle supposedly has a high musicians-per-capita spec. It is nearly guaranteed that thousands of musicians all over town have old anvil cases in the basement in all sizes, originally built for equipment that wore out many moons ago.
The equipment tears up much faster than the cases. The cases are nearly indestructible.
So this very minute, somewhere in Seattle, there is a musician with the exact size case you need. And this very moment his wife is nagging him to take it to the dumpster because she needs the space to store Aunt Ruby's box of old china. (grin)
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There are also the injection-molded cases, pretty cheap in all sizes. Lighter, and pretty strong.
A local music emporium might have your ideal-sized injection-molded SKB case for sale cheaper than you could ever build it.
Ferinstance, a case made for a medium-sized guitar amp might be nearly ideal for the C11--
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CPC 1100, C102SLT, SV F80, Meade 70 & 60 AZT
Q70 38mm, Pan24, Meade 5K 18mm UW, Axiom LX 15mm, 10mm, 7mm, Nagler 13T6, Expanse 20mm, 9mm, 6mm, BO/TMB 5mm, 2.5mm
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rboe
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 45286
Loc: Phx, AZ
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Turns out Anvil is a brand name. We could use a source for the metal parts they make the cases from (McMaster Carr and other have most but have yet to see all of them).
Most interested in the interlocking lip where the lid meets the case bottom and some of the latches.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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RobVG
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 737
Loc: Seattle Washington
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Keith, I had the same idea today but if I ever have to sell the scope, having the original packaging might help.
jcjr. I've never heard of an "Anvil" case but I found one on CraigsList. It isn't the dimensions I need but at least I know they're out there.
Thanks guys,
Rob
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C11 SGT(XLT)CG-5
Observatory (page 5)
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cocobolo
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 10/27/07
Posts: 1550
Loc: british columbia, canada
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Think about it Rob, you are making the case for that scope. Heck, you could even charge more for it!
Keith
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RobVG
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 737
Loc: Seattle Washington
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True, depending on what carpentry skills I can muster. 
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C11 SGT(XLT)CG-5
Observatory (page 5)
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jcjr
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/06/08
Posts: 563
Loc: TN, USA
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Yes, Anvil is a trademark, but lots of folks use that name as a generic type description. Like Aspirin or Q-Tip are trademarks.
I could try asking old buds in the pro sound biz, but probably won't get around to it, and half the time they are out on the road. They probably know the best places to get hardware. I never built cases or speakers, only electronics. Thats why I mentioned that asking a local in the biz could be useful.
The Anvil website is a textbook about how that kind of case is built. But a new-retail Anvil case is sorta expensive in the bigger sizes.
http://www.anvilcase.com/
Chased down a couple of sources for the hardware, which doesn't look extremely expensive--
http://www.dblittlea-w.com/
http://www.penn-elcom.com/
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A road case that cost $800, might go for less than $100 20 years later if the wife nags enough (grin).
The cases are made for many purposes, but one really common style is rack-mount cases.
At least in Audio, 1 rack space is 1.75" vertical, 19 inches horizontal.
So ferinstance if you happened to see a real good deal on a 12 rack space road case, two of the inside dimensions would be slightly bigger than 19", and slightly bigger than 21". The third dimension would vary depending on the case style. Some are built pretty deep with completely removable front and back.
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CPC 1100, C102SLT, SV F80, Meade 70 & 60 AZT
Q70 38mm, Pan24, Meade 5K 18mm UW, Axiom LX 15mm, 10mm, 7mm, Nagler 13T6, Expanse 20mm, 9mm, 6mm, BO/TMB 5mm, 2.5mm
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Gregg Lobdell
sage
Reged: 01/20/06
Posts: 400
Loc: Covington, WA
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Another source for Anvil-like case hardware is Parts Express. They sell Penn-Elcom and other lines. Their catalog is full of stuff for audio types, but they'll sell to anyone. :-) I have a box of stuff from them for the travel scope I'm putting together, including hinges, carry handle and corner protectors.
Homepage: http://www.partsexpress.com/
Click on "Pro Audio" and scroll down to "Cabinet Hardware"
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Clear skies,
Gregg
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ken scharf
sage
Reged: 02/09/08
Posts: 393
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A SCT might fit in a tuba case (or a case for some other large horn). A refractor might fit in a cello or bass fiddle case?
Reminds me of the untouchables with the 'tommy' guns in the violin case.
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Dubboy
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/05/05
Posts: 2254
Loc: Northern Michigan
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What about plastic totes...they come in all shapes and sizes and they're inexpensive 
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Don
"Don't worry about what telescope you own, or its quality. Just get out under the night sky and enjoy God's wondrous universe" Thomas Back.
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Mr Magoo
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/05/05
Posts: 999
Loc: Franklin, Indiana
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I've been pondering this same question. I have several OTA's I need to make cases for. I know you can buy the foam to put in them, but how about the expandable foam that is shot into the plastic bags that some items are shipped with. Has anyone ever tried this for a case? I've wondered if this could be done with the expandable foam in a can sold at home improvement stores and a trash bag. It makes for form fitting enclosure perfect for shipping or rough handling.
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Ken
Franklin, IN
Member, Indiana Astronomical Society
B.S.A. Astronomy Merit Badge Counselor
6" f/10 Dob
Vintage Sears Discoverer 4-6305A 60mm
Vintage Manon 60mm (The Marsha Scope)
Criterion RV-6
My CN Photo Gallery
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RobVG
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/09/06
Posts: 737
Loc: Seattle Washington
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Quote:
plastic totes
Not a bad idea Don. I noticed that Celestron uses expanding foam in plastic bags for their packing. Might be able to use that method with a plastic tote. Probably need to use a dummy OTA to keep the stuff off the real one until it cures.
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C11 SGT(XLT)CG-5
Observatory (page 5)
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Mr Magoo
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/05/05
Posts: 999
Loc: Franklin, Indiana
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Here is a link to the stuff I was thinking about. Instapak Foam Doing a search of vendors finds that they are a little expensive considering you have to buy them by the case. You might be able to find a shipping store that uses them and have them do it to your homemade case. I may try an experiment with the foam in a can from the home improvement store.
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Ken
Franklin, IN
Member, Indiana Astronomical Society
B.S.A. Astronomy Merit Badge Counselor
6" f/10 Dob
Vintage Sears Discoverer 4-6305A 60mm
Vintage Manon 60mm (The Marsha Scope)
Criterion RV-6
My CN Photo Gallery
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rboe
Reged: 03/16/02
Posts: 45286
Loc: Phx, AZ
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jcjr;  You hit the jackpot. Thanks for the links!  Exactly what I was looking for.
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Ron
NS11GPS
Pronto
16" dob
15X70 Obies
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Wes James
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/12/06
Posts: 3449
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I've also been thinking about this idea of expanding foam in a woood case/or another type case to form fit for a scope. Wondering if there isn't some way to wrap a scope in a garbage bag, for example, lay it in the container/box shimmed into position off the bottom with foam rubber or some such material- to hold it into place. You would have to lay a garbage bag over the supporting pads to keep the foam off the wrapped scope.... then shoot foam into the case- let it expand upwards over the edge (taking care to not let it envelope the wrapped scope), then cutting the excess down around the edge.
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Wes
Atlantic Beach, FL
Some bino’s from Miyauchi 5x32 Binon's up through Garrett 20x110 Signature's,
Some telescopes from a Stellarvue 80mm NHNG up through a couple of 8” reflectors…
And a wonderful 4.25" Delmarva Shiefspiegler!
Some good friends, made here on C/N.
Oh- several cats and a wonderful wife!
Anyone want a cat???? :-O
"When your work speaks for itself- Don't Interrupt" -Gamble Rogers
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