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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > $39 Harmonica Case
$39 Harmonica Case
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Todd Parrott
1402 posts
Jun 22, 2017
8:23 AM
Made this case with a custom foam insert from mycasebuilder.com for $24 and a $15 aluminum case from Harbor Freight. Total cost, $39 and it holds 42 harmonicas.

If anyone is interested in creating one like this, feel free to contact me and I'll give you the measurements.

My Case Builder







My Case Builder makes it easy to customize any type of foam insert you need. For this type of case, I would recommend the Charcoal Ester Foam, NOT THE PE FOAM. This is important, as the PE foam is much more dense and makes it harder to pull the harps in and out.

This video explains the difference:

Last Edited by Todd Parrott on Feb 28, 2019 9:59 PM
Littoral
1484 posts
Jun 22, 2017
9:15 AM
Todd, this is much appreciated. A question, wouldn't the PE foam be fine if you expanded the hole a little?
zx679
25 posts
Jun 22, 2017
9:38 AM
This is awesome. I'm going to do this. Thanks Todd!

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something something harmonicas...
Harp Study
240 posts
Jun 22, 2017
9:47 AM
That is awesome. Thanks for sharing Todd.
Todd Parrott
1403 posts
Jun 22, 2017
1:18 PM
Littoral, yes, the PE foam would be fine as you said, if you enlarged the holes. I was going for a design where I could maximize the number of harps. I ordered this insert in both materials, and though the PE foam did work, it's tighter, making it not so great for Golden Melodies, but pretty good for Marine Band or other rectangular harps.

The Charcoal Ester foam is a better quality foam than the pkuck and pull foam you commonly see on Amazon.

Last Edited by Todd Parrott on Jun 22, 2017 1:18 PM
Harmonicatunes
217 posts
Jun 22, 2017
8:12 PM
Don't lose it.
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Tony Eyers
Australia
www.HarmonicaAcademy.com
everyone plays...
Littoral
1485 posts
Jun 23, 2017
6:33 AM
Charcoal Ester foam being better quality foam than the usual stuff is good to hear. I think I'm gonna go for the PE foam. I'm not sure if I should add to the size. I have a few GM's in the set but most are rectangular. Would you mind posting all of the dimensions here?
Thanks
Garlic Breath
83 posts
Jun 23, 2017
7:15 AM
What a great idea! Sent you an email to see if we can possibly request a duplicate of your order, rather than having to start from scratch with their layout tool. That way, we could save time and know were getting the exact item. Thanks so much for sharing.
bigd
639 posts
Jun 23, 2017
8:45 AM
Great!! I just ordered the case from H.F. as I already have plexiglass dividers for my G.M.'s (created by a harp-case company that has gone out of business) that fit it. Like yourself I carry many harps and a vertical posture is Perfect for spacial economy!
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Facebook

Last Edited by bigd on Jun 23, 2017 8:48 AM
Todd Parrott
1404 posts
Jun 23, 2017
9:15 AM
Here are the measurements I used - sharing them here for everyone's benefit. Note the comments about the PE Foam vs the Charcoal Ester Foam:

Base: 2.5 (thickness)

10.9375 x 6.8125 x 2.5
Lower: 10.9375 x 6.8125
Corner Radius: 0.5 (I put in 0, but I think the system by default changed it to 0.5)

To add the rectangular slots for the harps, you need to use the menu on the left to "add rectangle" and the measurements I used were:

Length: 1 inch
Width: .5 inch
Depth: 2.5 inches

Lastly, once you've added all of the rectangles, there is an option that allows you to center the design perfectly in the foam. I think you double-click the design to select it, then a menu pops-up on the right where you can select "align" and choose "center both" which should do the trick.

These measurements will work fine for a 42 harp insert, and will allow you to easily slide the harps in and out IF you select the CHARCOAL ESTER foam.

If you prefer the more dense PE FOAM (which really is a nicer material), you'll need to make the rectangular slots larger than the measurements above in order for the harps to slide in and out more easily. (If you choose PE FOAM and don't enlarge the slots, it will be way too tight.)

Some have asked about whether or not the foam flakes off in the harps. It's too early to tell if this will be a problem with the Charcoal Ester foam, but I can say that a previous Dave Barrett stage case I used for several years used the same foam and only started flaking apart after about 17 years.

The PE Foam is more dense, like a swimming pool noodle, and is less likely to flake apart.

Last Edited by Todd Parrott on Jun 23, 2017 9:20 AM
Todd Parrott
1411 posts
Jul 20, 2017
12:19 PM
To all who inquired, either by Facebook, e-mail, etc., this case insert may now be ordered by anyone who is interested. Simply contact mycasebuilder by phone, and provide the file ID of 116157. They required that I provide them written permission before they would allow the insert to be duplicated.

Remember, if you order this design, I recommend the charcoal ester foam. (The PE foam is too dense.)

Nothing in this deal at all for me - just passing it along for all of my friends here who may benefit from this design.
Littoral
1508 posts
Jul 29, 2017
8:40 AM
On PE foam being too dense. I found it to be perfect. I did make the slots very slightly larger than Todds. Wee bit tight at first but after a few days harps defined the fit further shown on the bottom pic. Firm hold but easy in/out. Insert was very inexpensive. The back slots are for cell phone, keys and glasses. Thanks Todd!





Last Edited by Littoral on Jul 29, 2017 10:03 AM
Harp Study
242 posts
Jul 29, 2017
8:31 PM
Todd-

Did you get the Voyager 11-1/2 x 7-1/2 x 4-1/2 Aluminum Case from Harbor Freight? I am just trying to make sure I've got the right case to start with.

Thanks.
Todd Parrott
1415 posts
Jul 30, 2017
4:24 PM
Littoral, that's really awesome! And yes, I'm sure the larger slots helped. Your case looks great!

Harp Study, yes, that's the one - https://www.harborfreight.com/11-12-x-7-12-x-4-12-aluminum-case-69316.html
Harp Study
243 posts
Jul 30, 2017
6:26 PM
Thanks again Todd. I really appreciate you sharing all this info.
fahall
5 posts
Jun 17, 2021
7:23 AM
Sorry for resurrecting the old thread, but what dimensions did you use for the PE foam, Littoral?
snowman
708 posts
Jun 20, 2021
10:16 AM
If u have many harps, once u get a case that stacks vertically, you'll be so glad.
I play bunch flatted 7 draw-regular 7 draw----major tuned for georgia and songs like that and minor tuned.
I also powder coated a bunch of them for quick recognition'

I love this harbor freight case---u can also make dividers out of plastic or wood==I forgot the name of the wood ,its like 1/4 ply or thinner.


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