WestVirginiaTom
67 posts
Nov 26, 2012
4:19 AM
|
I'm sure this has been covered before, but I couldn't find it in the archives. I want to turn a small overnight suitcase into a custom harp carrying case. I'd like to use a lint-free, odor-free foam that I can cut spaces for my harps, etc. What material should I use? Where can I find such material? As you can tell from my name, I am in the U.S.
Thanks in advance.
|
rbeetsme
935 posts
Nov 26, 2012
4:40 AM
|
A few years ago, I searched online for a high quality dense closed cell foam. Found some, but it was expensive. Worked well, but I don't remember where I found it. I wanted something similar to the foam Suzuki uses in their 7 harp cases. Haliburton (high end camera cases) also sells foam, but I wanted something that had a tighter structure. Also pretty pricey. You might want to check with some of the custom case builders, I bet they'll sell you one pre-cut at a better price.
Last Edited by on Nov 26, 2012 4:41 AM
|
paulbunyn
53 posts
Nov 26, 2012
5:57 AM
|
I know Hobby Lobby carries foam in different sizes also look Search Tech-Aerofoam.
|
harpcrab
92 posts
Nov 26, 2012
6:45 AM
|
Check Ebay for "pick and pluck" foam. Its pre perforated into cube shapes, so you can just pluck out the shapes you need. It's what comes in the heavy duty Pelican type cases. I used it in an old cigar box, then had to change to a wooden shoe shine box as my harp collection grew. Made room for a mic, cord, and a few repair tools as well.
----------
Bluesharp- If you don't blow you suck...
|
harp-er
253 posts
Nov 26, 2012
8:30 AM
|
Your local fabric store will have slabs of nice thick perfectly suitable foam. I've used it myself, converting a brief case into a 14 harp carry case.
|
bonedog569
728 posts
Nov 26, 2012
9:11 PM
|
I found it worth paying for these. There are various configurations for different number of harps and mic.s
http://www.harpmicgaskets.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=9&Itemid=54
----------
|
bloozefish
59 posts
Nov 27, 2012
8:30 AM
|
I ordered some "Pluck Foam" from an astronomy/telescope supply house a few years ago; don't recall the company name, but a quick google for pluck foam should do the trick.
|
mlefree
72 posts
Nov 30, 2012
8:49 AM
|
Just a quick cautionary note on "pick and plck" foam. Years ago I made a custom harp case out of a laptop bag and P&P foam. I purchased the foam from an online company that sells carrying cases for those tiny lead soldiers (I guess big boys play with them and re-enact elaborate layouts of famous battles from history).
I labored for some time designing and then constructing an elaborate 2-layer case. It worked great, until... I dropped it. When I opened it up, I found that the weight of 20 or so short harps had torn the P&P foam completely apart on impact. I had a laptop case full of a mess of harps and little cubes of foam all mixed together.
I'm with bonedog; get a custom insert of solid foam that won't disintegrate if you happen to drop your fit.
In any event, have fun with your new case!
Michelle
|
ElkRiverHarmonicas
1422 posts
Nov 30, 2012
12:45 PM
|
I've got one of Scott Hetrick's cases coming soon and I'm about to retire the one I made with pluck and pull foam. It was a toolcase I got at Harbor Freight for $8 or something. It worked OK, but didn't hold up well. It will work well in a pinch, though. I thought about reinforcing the top of the P&P with fabric, but never got around to.
----------
David
____________________
At the time of his birth, it was widely accepted that no one man could play that much music so well or raise that much hell. He proved them all wrong.
R.I.P. H. Cecil Payne
----------
David
Elk River Harmonicas
 
|
Willspear
227 posts
Nov 30, 2012
1:49 PM
|
I think I am going to outfit a flightcase I salvaged somehow so it'll hold my effects rig harps Mics and cables
If anyone has any ideas for someone to do custom cutting of foam that would be fantastic
I salvaged two really nice cases for accessories one is an ata the other is a calzone.
I have used much larger cases from calzone but these are both somewhat suitcase sized. The old foam is completely destroyed in both. The smaller of the two I can get on a plane and on the amtrack as carry on
Last Edited by on Nov 30, 2012 2:07 PM
|
