materials for cases

[austin]

Does anyone have any suggestions for materials for cases?
I need something light, strong and something I can bend.
I know I can buy a case relatively cheap, but I am between projects and just goofin' around.
1/8 inch plywood seems to be the most accessible and I have a couple of old fiddle cases built out of it, but wouldn't it delaminate when you heat it up to bend it? Plus, it is kind of heavy.
Also, does anyone know where to source the latches and other hardware?
Thanks,
Austin

[thistle3585]

You risk delamination when applying heat to plywood. You might try flexible luan. Often sold at professional woodworking and lumber supply houses.
Might try a company called Aetna plywood.

Latches and hardware can be found at Rockler or similar type woodworking supply houses.

For the tongue and groove trim that goes around the lip of each half, search the internet using the keywords "tongue and groove valance". If you have trouble finding something, email me as I have some links on my other computer.

[austin]

thanks, I'll check it out!

[Jim Rowland]

Actually,you can bend thin plywood with relative safety. Bend it dry.

[Greenmando]

The thin laminated plywoods are incredible but not bendable, often called baltic ply or finland ply, they come in 1/4 , 1/2. If you could obtain the thin sheets of wood you can laminate your own ply and shape it as you work it. Laminating is not very hard to do.

[8ch(pl)]

I have seen some amateur guitar cases made of 3 layers of 1/8 inch Birch plywood. The wood was soaked, bent into a form, then allowed to dry in the form.

I would think a rectangular case with 3/8 edges and 1/8 sides would suit if it had closed cell foam glued inside. I was thinking of doing this for my open back tenor banjo, for which a case is impossible to find. One could also cut another thickness of 1/8 to glue insoide the sides if they were thought to be too thin.

[Rob Anderson]

Hello,
I make custom instrument cases for a living and use 1/4" birch ply for everything except double and triple neck steels. These are all rectangular so I don't know about the bending issue. I finger joint all the corners and rabbet the top and bottom. Very strong and reasonable in weight.
For the bigger instrument I go up to 3/8" baltic birch for the sides but stay with 1/4" for the top and bottom.
Ohio Travel Bag is a good source of hardware, but they do have an $80 minimum first time order.Feel free to call if you've got any questions. I'll sell you hardware for my cost and shipping if you don't want to place a big order from a hardware supplier.Good luck with the project.
Rob Anderson - Dunamis Designs 920-989-1396

[thistle3585]

Rob,
Do you have a website that you sell off of?

[austin]

Well, I really wanted the curves, but I suppose it makes sense just to go rectangular as I will get more storage.
Rob, what do you like to cover with? I was considering a canvas type material like my violin case. Oh, and I will call you about the hardware. I searched online and couldn't find anything that wasn't out of Taiwan!
Thanks all!

[John Flynn]

A guy posted a link here on the Cafe' to a play-by-play his build of a custom fitted stringed instrument case he made out of fiberglass. The instrument was some Middle Eastern lute-like instrument. The site had each step documented in pictures. The process looked very do-able and the finshed product was nice. I can't find it on a search, though. If anyone has it, that would be great.

[Rob Anderson]

Hi Guys,
Austin, I use various things for covering. I specialize in cases with a real vintage vibe so most of them are lacquered fabric, just like it was done before the synthetics came on the scene, it's a great look but there's a reason why no one commercially lacquers luggage, cases, or amps anymore. They get banged up pretty quickly.
If you want to throw it in the car regularly and want a case instead of a work of art, tolex is the best choice. Tolex is basically vinyl that is harder and thinner than the stuff you can find at the fabric stores. Give me a call and we can talk in more detail. I'm always excited to talk about cases!
Thistle- the web site is almost done, in the meantime here's #a #yahoo photo site with some pics.
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dunamisdesigns317/my_photos
Thanks, Rob http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[austin]

Rob, the tweed looks awesome! I like the corner protectors too, that is a nice touch.
As far as glass goes, I have worked with it before and it is a messy, sticky, itchy, toxic, pain in the ***^%#^'in behind!!
On the other hand, it can be pretty sturdy. Heck, they use it for boats!
I like Rob's cases.