Anyone out there with a copy of this beast who has found a suitable cover, or case, for purposes of transporting it?
Herald-Bobroff AstroAtlas
Started by
desertstars
, Mar 10 2005 10:55 PM
19 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 11 March 2005 - 09:24 AM
Tom:
The H-B should fit in an attache case. I know that a SkyAtlas 2000.0 won't, because it's slightly too large. But the H-B is a little smaller. I have both Atlases and prefer the Herald-Bobroff.
I got the SA2000 first and made a carrying case for it. It's got space for the S-A, the H-B, a couple of books, and a notebook.
It's a cardboard box, which a clock came in, with interior dimensions of 19 1/4" x 14" x 4". It's one of those shallow things with a lid which has tuck-in flaps on three edges. For strength, I put the handle on one of the double-layered ends, so that it's carried vertically. The tuck-in flaps keep it from coming open when it's carried.
The handle is a plastic carrying-handle from a small appliance carton. (A paper-shredder, in this case.) I mounted it in the center of one 14" x 4" side, cutting the holes through the double cardboard layer, and used the flat plastic reinforcement from the original carton.
After making sure the handle fit, I removed it. Then, to "weather-proof" the former clock box, I unfolded and covered it inside and out with self-adhesive, black plastic shelf-covering material (which can be a beast to work with). Next, I made holes for the handle in the plastic covering, mounted it, and used black electrical tape on the inside to prevent it from protruding inwards.
The only expense was the shelf-covering material. The hard part was finding the carton and the handle. The finished case itself looks quite elegant (if you don't look too close).
A caution about a heavy spiral-bound atlas with sturdy, indestructible pages: don't lift it up by one or even a few pages. The weight of the remaining pages will strain the binding, eventually opening it enough to free a page. Then comes the chore of re-inserting the page and bending the spiral back to its original shape. (It happened to me and now I handle my atlases as if the pages were made of very thin paper.)
Laird
The H-B should fit in an attache case. I know that a SkyAtlas 2000.0 won't, because it's slightly too large. But the H-B is a little smaller. I have both Atlases and prefer the Herald-Bobroff.
I got the SA2000 first and made a carrying case for it. It's got space for the S-A, the H-B, a couple of books, and a notebook.
It's a cardboard box, which a clock came in, with interior dimensions of 19 1/4" x 14" x 4". It's one of those shallow things with a lid which has tuck-in flaps on three edges. For strength, I put the handle on one of the double-layered ends, so that it's carried vertically. The tuck-in flaps keep it from coming open when it's carried.
The handle is a plastic carrying-handle from a small appliance carton. (A paper-shredder, in this case.) I mounted it in the center of one 14" x 4" side, cutting the holes through the double cardboard layer, and used the flat plastic reinforcement from the original carton.
After making sure the handle fit, I removed it. Then, to "weather-proof" the former clock box, I unfolded and covered it inside and out with self-adhesive, black plastic shelf-covering material (which can be a beast to work with). Next, I made holes for the handle in the plastic covering, mounted it, and used black electrical tape on the inside to prevent it from protruding inwards.
The only expense was the shelf-covering material. The hard part was finding the carton and the handle. The finished case itself looks quite elegant (if you don't look too close).
A caution about a heavy spiral-bound atlas with sturdy, indestructible pages: don't lift it up by one or even a few pages. The weight of the remaining pages will strain the binding, eventually opening it enough to free a page. Then comes the chore of re-inserting the page and bending the spiral back to its original shape. (It happened to me and now I handle my atlases as if the pages were made of very thin paper.)
Laird
#3
desertstars
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Posted 11 March 2005 - 11:03 AM
Thanks. And welcome to Cloudy Nights!
#4
photonovore
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Posted 11 March 2005 - 04:27 PM
Just fyi since sky atlas 2000 was mentioned...Of all strange places, Harbor Frieght, the discount tool company, sells a very nice quality aluminum case into which fits the sky atlas 2000 and which also is filled to the brim with precut foam and also a set of spacer boards with which you can custom configure the interior partitioning of the case anyway you wish. best part? The 27$ price 
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#5
ArizonaScott
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Posted 11 March 2005 - 04:40 PM
Wow, great price! Must resist, must resist, must resist.....
#6
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Posted 11 March 2005 - 08:19 PM
Wow, me too! Awwwwwww...too small. It's only 17 3/4" x 12 3/4". My SA2000 laminated field version measures 18 1/2" x 13 7/8", including the wire spiral. I see in the S&T catalog that the Deluxe Version SA2000, with foldout charts, is only 16" x 12". That would fit. And so would my H-B, which measures 16 1/4" x 12", including the wire spiral.
I guess I'm stuck with a cardboard box. But Tom could get himself that aluminum one.
Laird
I guess I'm stuck with a cardboard box. But Tom could get himself that aluminum one.
Laird
#7
ArizonaScott
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Posted 11 March 2005 - 09:06 PM
Yeah, but then I'd have an excuse to add an H-B to my collection of charts 
#8
Blues
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Posted 12 March 2005 - 12:30 AM
Well, I resisted earlier, but then a couple of beers while out with friends showed me the error of my ways! 
#9
ArizonaScott
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Posted 12 March 2005 - 10:11 AM
I think I've ended up with some equipment that way too! 
#10
desertstars
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Posted 14 March 2005 - 11:05 AM
I've already got a nice aluminum case, but it's, um, rather full already... Yep, that beer (and hanging around this joint!) will get to you.
So, tell me Scott, how long before you end up with a copy of HB...?
So, tell me Scott, how long before you end up with a copy of HB...?
#11
ArizonaScott
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Posted 14 March 2005 - 11:22 AM
Well, I used SA2000 and The Year-Round Messier Marathon Field Guide this weekend with great success, but I was drooling over your copy of H-B (sorry if I left any spots on it 
) I've also got Norton's, Cambridge, Bright Star, and some others on my bookshelf. So to really answer your question, I might pick it up in the next year or so to add to my collection. Of course, I also want NSOG, Uranometria, etc...................... 
) I've also got Norton's, Cambridge, Bright Star, and some others on my bookshelf. So to really answer your question, I might pick it up in the next year or so to add to my collection. Of course, I also want NSOG, Uranometria, etc......................
#12
desertstars
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Posted 14 March 2005 - 12:20 PM
Don't worry about it... The pages are synthetic.
I found the HB very useful for the marathon, except for Virgo. But that wasn't the atlas at fault...
I found the HB very useful for the marathon, except for Virgo. But that wasn't the atlas at fault...
#13
ArizonaScott
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Posted 14 March 2005 - 12:36 PM
Heh heh 
Tough area, eh? My SA2000 served me well hopping through that area, but I was sure impressed with the detail level in your H-B. I'm pretty sure I can't resist the purchase after looking at it and feeling that nice material they use.
Tough area, eh? My SA2000 served me well hopping through that area, but I was sure impressed with the detail level in your H-B. I'm pretty sure I can't resist the purchase after looking at it and feeling that nice material they use.
#14
desertstars
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#15
ArizonaScott
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Posted 14 March 2005 - 04:52 PM
But I'll feel like I'm betraying Wil Tirion
#16
Fiske
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Posted 15 March 2005 - 01:28 AM
Lymax Earth & Sky, the company who sells the HB Atlas, also sells a nice carrying case specifically made for it -- it's a sort of leatherette zip-up portfolio with handles. Quite nice.
The Harbor Freight aluminum case is awsome, though.
The Harbor Freight aluminum case is awsome, though.
#17
desertstars
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Posted 15 March 2005 - 09:11 PM
Thanks, I'll check into that. (Somehow missed seeing that on their website.)
#18
Blues
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Posted 16 March 2005 - 07:55 PM
Just as a point of information, I just heard back from Harbor Freight and the case on their website that Mardi linked to does not have the panels or interior dividers shown in his picture.
I have forwarded them the picture to ask if they can determine whether they actually do have any of those cases in stock.
And now back to your regular programming...
I have forwarded them the picture to ask if they can determine whether they actually do have any of those cases in stock.
And now back to your regular programming...
#19
desertstars
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Posted 18 March 2005 - 01:58 PM
Two updates: first, Lymax Earth & Sky tells me they will have the case for the HB Atlas on their website sometime next week.
Second, there is this new CN publication regarding the HB Atlas and the subject of marginalia... H-B AstroAtlas: Getting the Lead Out
Second, there is this new CN publication regarding the HB Atlas and the subject of marginalia... H-B AstroAtlas: Getting the Lead Out
#20
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Posted 23 March 2005 - 02:23 PM
H-B AstroAtlas: Getting the Lead Out
Thanks for calling my to attention that. A very interesting report, indeed. Can't say I've ever read a report on how an atlas' pages take to inscription.
Thanks for calling my to attention that. A very interesting report, indeed. Can't say I've ever read a report on how an atlas' pages take to inscription.
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