ScottK
25 posts
Feb 19, 2017
5:44 PM
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In my search for an inexpensive but works well for me first set of equipment including harp case and reading a lot about DIY cases much prob here on this forum I came across this case at the Harbor Frieght Store nearby. I had read about HF cases being used and maybe getting foam insert from mycasebuilder.com. And I've read about people making their own in many ways. I like the idea of DIY.
This case I saw today at the store (link below) has foam in it which is pick and pluck, it's pretty thick, fits the whole space of the case, and other foam padding for top, and dividers to put in. I'd put harps in vertical. The case is only $22 and prob I'll even get 20% off.
Inside the foam seemed pretty good and solid, It didn't have a smell to it, and I thought with the dividers it could help support that pick and pluck foam. I need to double check the harps will fit vertically.
I realize that its so inexpensive it's maybe a no brainier, and perhaps not as quality but maybe good for me for now...
My question is: I'm wondering more about the foam if anyone has any experience with this particular case or foam like this. I want to make sure this foam doesn't smell, (It didnt smell at store) or make harps smell, or pieces break off or get into harp etc...I've read some here and online about some foam not working out. It seems for me if that stuff about the foam was ok, and that price, I'd give it a try.
Here's a link to the HF website and case
Harbor Freight Case item #62271
Thanks
Scott
Last Edited by ScottK on Feb 19, 2017 6:14 PM
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Littoral
1447 posts
Feb 19, 2017
6:17 PM
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I'm trying to get away from foam because I think the confined space increases corrosion. It's not a giant issue but if you work a lot it adds up. I haven't bought any yet but I think the Akro-Mils Long Dividers could work. Maybe someone else is willing to help me trouble shoot the plan...?
Akro-Mils 42103 Long Divider
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Bass410man
139 posts
Feb 19, 2017
6:51 PM
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I have a case just like that and made dividers out of wood. If I new how to put pictures up, I would, so you could see what I did. But there is no way I can get a photo up, a video no problem, a photo no idea.
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SuperBee
4524 posts
Feb 19, 2017
8:34 PM
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I dislike foam too. Nasty stuff in my opinion.
I'm very happy with my removable tray. The harps stay put when the lid is closed, they are all there when I need them and the case houses pedals, cables and mics without a bunch of filthy foam occupying space2929mj
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ScottK
26 posts
Feb 19, 2017
8:50 PM
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Superbee-what do you use for a removable tray? How is your case set up? Feel free to guide me to another thread if it's been posted before.
Littoral- thanks and those dividers look interesting.
Also-anyone used the bushman 9 hole foam piece I've seen for around $15?
One idea I had was some foam for a mic and pedals / I'll have a delay and maybe my boss rc30 and another material for the harps.
Last Edited by ScottK on Feb 19, 2017 8:58 PM
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MindTheGap
2148 posts
Feb 20, 2017
12:09 AM
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ScottK I experimented with a few case ideas and got put off the foam idea, after a few trials. Sounds like you've read the 'case study' on here about the pick-and-pluck foam case being dropped, the weight of the harps tearing the blocks into a horrible mess.
This isn't a direct answer to your question, but in true MBH style a completely different idea. I ended up with an attache-style case to hold the mics and pedals in some foam cutouts. But to hold the harps themselves: the excellent Seydel belt bag. They come in 6 or 12-harp sizes as I remember, and form a neat stand-up case even if you don't want to wear them.
Not as quick on the draw as a tray, on the other hand you can't knock it over and all the harps fall out. Which is something I'd definitely do.
Not a repurposed thing, nor an expensive custom made thing, but an inexpensive made-for-the-job thing. That's some kind of bliss.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Feb 20, 2017 12:16 AM
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ScottK
27 posts
Feb 20, 2017
12:50 AM
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Mtg- thanks that is exactly what I read! I also read about using seydel bags - maybe that was you- and was googling photos just a few hours ago.
Getting ideas- one thing I'm learning here is at least going this route I can try things out and whatever materials I use they're easily interchangeable.
Much appreciated all
Last Edited by ScottK on Feb 20, 2017 12:51 AM
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Killa_Hertz
2232 posts
Feb 20, 2017
2:03 AM
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+1 for the Seydel belt bags. I have one in 6 and 12 ... they are just about perfect.
And combining ideas .... you can use superbees' idea and use your Seydel bags as your "tray".
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Philosofy
795 posts
Feb 20, 2017
6:56 AM
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As for the foam issue, there are two types of foam: open cell and closed cell. The foam in this case is open cell, like a couch cushion. That foam soaks up moisture like a sponge, and isn't the best for long term storage. You want closed cell foam, which is like a pool noodle. You can get a sheet at your local Woodcraft or Rockler woodworking store. If you want to buy it online, google Kaizen foam. You can cut it with a razor knife, but it works even better if you heat the blade with a candle first.
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pharpo
801 posts
Feb 20, 2017
7:55 AM
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I have a "Husky" case. Similar to the Harbor freight one. It may be a little deeper (6 in) and has pluck foam. It holds three mic cables , two pedals, two bullets and 23 harps, extra batteries. I line the "Harp holes" with duct tape so the foam does not deteriorate and get in the harps. I've had the same one for years and love it.
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Procrastinator Emeritus
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dougharps
1363 posts
Feb 20, 2017
8:28 AM
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I have been using the Seydel belt bags for quite some time now. I have posted before about using them as removable modules. I am currently using 3 - 12 hole bags (that hold 14 if you put one on each end. I also have one 6 hole bag that can hold 8 harps, but I don't usually carry that in my gig case.
My gig case is a cleaned out old trumpet case with the musty fabric removed, aired out, and spray painted. I use the Seydel bags as modules with harps arranged by circle of 5ths in each. I can take 3 Seydel belt bags plus mic, cables, and 8 chromatics in a flat bag I have adapted to that purpose with plastic dividers made from Hering combo boxes. This arrangement gives me the flexibility to take my full gig set or fewer harps depending on the situation. I can just take one bag out by itself or put one in a pocket on the chromatic bag, or choose any combination depending on the situation. For gigs I take the case so I have backups ready. The bags hold the harps upright in fabric.
In decades of playing this is my favorite arrangement.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Feb 20, 2017 8:29 AM
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Littoral
1448 posts
Feb 20, 2017
9:26 AM
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Vintage travel luggage make-up cases are pretty easy to find, pretty cheap and really well made. Here's mine: (a couple years ago)
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1847
4003 posts
Feb 20, 2017
1:07 PM
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these are very cool
pretty in expensive too.
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SuperBee
4526 posts
Feb 20, 2017
5:30 PM
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Hi Scott, yeah I just nailed a box together and put a Masonite floor in it, glued some felt to line it. Using balsa, i built a frame into a briefcase, dividing the space into 3 compartments. I put some 'small bubble' wrap in the lid of the case, then covered all the case inner surface, including the balsa, with fabric. My tray is wide enough to hold an 1847 snugly, a marine band neatly. It's long enough to hold 13 marine bands, holes up (or down I guess). The tray sits atop the right hand side compartment. I could store another 13 harps under the tray but I don't need to. Chromatic or 2 can go there, I keep misc tools, spares, pen and paper, cards.
Tray fits neatly under the lid, when lid is closed, harps are safe, nothing moves about. I carved a piece from the side of tray to allow the hinge to operate. This is better than removing hinge which would compromise integrity of the case, but alternative would be to fit hinges which facilitate easy removal of the lid altogether.
Having separate compartments obviates the need for filling the space with ballast. I can store pedals, mics, leads and the don't move to any significant degree. Cutout shapes are unnecessary and reduce flexibility and utility. Just my thoughts of course.
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Fil
279 posts
Feb 20, 2017
7:33 PM
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No style and no creativity -- I use an AWP (brand) tool bag that holds a Seydel 14 harp soft case, a small Hohner case for backups, cables, one or two mics, pedal. It has a couple of pockets and slots for IMT, small flashlight, kazoo, a few tools, 9v battery for the guitar player who needs one, multi-tool. I do like the vintage make-up case, though.
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Phil Pennington
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ScottK
29 posts
Feb 20, 2017
7:51 PM
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Thanks for all the great ideas! Cool cases all. I definitely have some vision now...If I get the case I posted about, I think Id divide it up, use the foam for the pedals and eqip and something divided and possibly removable for the harps.
I like the idea of a smaller bag just for harps, since I like having my harps with me but not always the whole case.
Philosofy: thanks for the info on the foam.
doug:thanks i did read your other posts the other day.
Last Edited by ScottK on Feb 20, 2017 7:57 PM
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SuperBee
4527 posts
Feb 20, 2017
8:22 PM
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https://app.box.com/s/lda3v9xf6z21f5aniij6
https://app.box.com/s/5eiwxusomg5gvw9ghmkq
https://app.box.com/s/l9i7wybr12xkgbjwz5mo
Last Edited by SuperBee on Feb 20, 2017 8:25 PM
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ScottK
30 posts
Feb 20, 2017
8:53 PM
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Real nice Superbee, looks great!
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MindTheGap
2149 posts
Feb 21, 2017
12:37 AM
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Picking up on SuperBee's comment about the advantages of compartments vs cutouts: I started out trying snug-fit cutouts. They are satisfying to create and to behold, but inflexible and wasteful of space. In the end I used block of the foam cut into largish compartments. Much more practical.
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SuperBee
4528 posts
Feb 21, 2017
4:12 AM
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Hey Scott, it's a bit rough and ready but it's been doing the job for me for about 5 years now and cost about $20 and a few hours to put together. The 'fender' cases appealed to me, I still don't like the idea of storing harps on their end but I'm possibly missing out on a great idea.
I don't actually store the pedals as seen in the photo. They go in the larger compartment and mics in the middle
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ScottK
31 posts
Feb 21, 2017
5:15 AM
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Superbee: i like it. What kind of glue did you use?
I also have a very durable laptop case that was given with a used laptop I bought some years back for my daughter. I'm considering that too. It opens all the way like a briefcase. Padded, Lots of compartments. Then I'd put the harps in lying down and do something like yours. It's this case, I've had it for years.
Wenger Laptop Case on Amazon
Last Edited by ScottK on Feb 21, 2017 5:34 AM
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SuperBee
4529 posts
Feb 21, 2017
11:47 AM
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Hi Scott, I probably can't name the actual specific glue I used, but it was like fairly inoffensive-smelling craft glue suitable for gluing fabric.
The balsa can be cut to fit very tight, and though I did glue it, it was holding together just with compression of the way I put it together. Who said building model airplanes doesn't teach anything?
I did use quite a generous amount of glue on the fabric and it adds strength.
The fabric also adds thickness, which I failed to account for. Only a couple of mm but it was enough to mean my centre compartment is slightly stressed if I try to fit my pedals the way I originally planned.
So I'll know better next time.
I'm very happy with the tray and the way the space works to allow flexibility in what I carry without locked in shapes. It's pretty easy to squeeze in 'extras' you might not think of, like batteries, pens, a notepad, patch leads, CDs, coins, thumb drives, chromatic harp, Ab harp, country-tuned harp, wall wart power supply, grenade etc
But the glue, yeah, I did need to air it out for a while. Even though the glue was pretty mild, a harp is quite intimately in your face and even paper paste isn't really something you would be crazy about tasting all the time. It's easy to deal with though. I used to leave the case open at home, and only close it up for gigs and travel. I mean, you want to get the case open when you get home from playing anyway, so the harps all dry out with good air movement. That's my view at least.
I dunno how long before there was "no trace" of smell. A while, but I'm very sensitive to that sort of thing. I can't handle aerosol deodorant etc.
I actually never noticed with the harps in the tray, but if I stored a chromatic in the under-space it would taste.
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ScottK
34 posts
Feb 21, 2017
7:08 PM
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Superbee thanks for the info! appreciate it.
I'll let you know what I come up with.
The one thing I guarantee is it will be inexpensive! Lol
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