Poll: Handle location, 40-pound cab

[DukeLeJeune]

I'm playing around with a bass cab design that would weigh about forty pounds, and I'm trying to decide where to put the carrying handle(s). My choices are a single padded handle recessed in the top, or more conventional side-mounted handles of some type. Or both, which of course is the most expensive option.

If you'd like to post your thoughts or suggestions, that would be most welcome. For example if there is a particular type of handle that you especially like or dislike, I would like to hear about it.

So that you have an idea of what I'm talking about:

padded top handle

metal bar-type side handle

spring-loaded rubber-grip side handle

my current favorite side handle

Thanks,

Duke

[anarkink]

Probably on top for that weight for me

[Bassdirty]

Depends on the shape of cab.

[elgecko]

Recessed side mounted...that's just heavy enough to make a long schlep a PITA with one hand.

[Sundogue]

I prefer both top and side handles on cabs giving me options where to grab and also rubber feet on the bottom and one side.

When hauling gear sometimes my hands are full and I like to be able to put a cab down or pick it up in any orientation without having to resort to a balancing act. It's especially important to me living in the winter wonderland almost half the year when I don't want to lay my cab in the snow.

Also, it should go without saying but I'll mention it anyway...Handle placement that balances well with the weight of the speakers. Nothing is more annoying than handles placed dead center for looks but make the cab front heavy and causing wrist twisting when lifting.

[JimmyM]

love those recessed side handles. that would probably get it for me, with the metal bar handle in second. i see those padded top handles and i think it should have tolex. plus i agree that a 40 lb carry wouldn't be fun with just one hand. and spring loaded handles always end up rattling on me eventually.

[Oldtimer]

Something recessed if it's on the top. Maybe better would be side handle/handles. The current micro head trend lends itself to heads not sitting flush on the top of cabs with strap type handles, especially if it's a smaller cab.

[MysticMichael]

All other things being equal, I usually prefer a bar-style side handle. Even though I know this is the most intrusive type, and has the most potential to compromise the integrity of the cab design, it's relatively comfortable to use for me.

That said, it really does depend somewhat on the dimensions and the shape of the cab. For a very compact cab that sits low to the ground, a padded top handle could be better - if the cab is small enough to allow me to carry it by the top - with my arm fully extended (avoiding the stress of having to actively "muscle" it up off the ground at all times). For a somewhat taller cab, side handles are definitely better - for a two-hand grab and chest clutch carry (though I use a portable cart these days).

No love here for the spring-loaded, collapsible side handles though...

MM

[basss]

I'm always transporting cabs strapped to a luggage cart. At 40lbs I would prefer to be able to grab it with one hand on a top handle when I hit stairs. This is so important to my schlep that I would either not buy a cab without a top handle (or something that I could stack on a luggage cart with a handle on top) or install one myself. I also wouldn't mind a side handle for lifting it into the back of my car. I would rarely squat and grab a cab of that weight with 2 hands although the size and shape would come into play.

I'm curious as to what you are working on??

[tooloudalex]

i like the square (Dayton PH114 Plastic Pocket Handle 4-Sided) alot.. however im torn between that and the spring loaded (Penn-Elcom H7154K Spring Flex Cabinet Handle Black)

the draw back ive found with the spring loaded ones is that if they are off balanced (as my rack is) when they tilt the little rubber thing smashes my palm. it hurts haha, a little tape fixed it, but its not asthetic.

The issue i see with the Dayton PH114 Plastic Pocket Handle 4-Sided is that would it have any grip? thats what i dont like about the plastic handles you find on marshal cabs for instance, is that my sweaty hands after just finishing a set go to grab it and it slipps :/

a simple awnser from me i guess would be the 4 sided ones on the sides.

[BassmanPaul]

Balance the cab on a couple of 1x1 wooden strips. This will allow you to find the centre of gravity of the cab and its balance point. Mount your handle so that the cabinet is balanced when you lift it. Anything that is balanced is easier to carry.

[DukeLeJeune]

Thank you all for your comments.

Bassdirty, it would be roughly a 16" square footprint by 24" tall.

Sundogue, I'm leaning towards your preference for doing both.

Oldtimer, the recess would be deep enough for a microhead to sit flat. Otherwise, there's no point in recessing it at all.

Basss, it's a 1x15.

Tooloudalex, the plastic pocket handle has finger grooves and the last joint of your fingers can kinda tuck around the inside of the grooved part, so it's arguably an easier grip with sweaty hands than the round bar handle. That's why I like it so much.

Bassmanpaul, I use 1/2" wooden strips to find the center of gravity, and yes it works quite well.

[rpsands]

Spring loaded side handles are the boss at that weight.

Those Dayton pocket handles look boss but never used them.

[lomo]

IMO at 40 lbs it only needs 1 handle, but I'd mount it on a side, rather than on top. This makes it easier to carry (more "ground clearance") and keeps the handle out of the way of a head one might want to place on top. I MUCH prefer recessed handles.

[KJung]

Hey Duke,

Your recessed top handle is absolutely wonderful on your small, 34 pound ThunderChild. Literally the best handle execution I've seen to date (i.e., recessed so the micro heads sit flat, and on top, lined up with the bottom rubber feet)... perfect.

If the 40 pound cab is a touch bigger also, I would definitely suggest the recessed side handles. I find your ThunderChild right at the top end of a comfortable one hand carry, so another 5 or 6 pounds and I assume a touch bigger would move me to the recesssed side handle.

I would avoid spring loaded... they can eventually rattle a bit. Your preferred side mounted flush handles are currently used on the TecAmp cabs (I have one), and they work very well (interestingly, TecAmp actually mounts their tweeter attenuator/crossover shift control inside that handle... pretty cool... very protected).

IMO!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by lomo

IMO at 40 lbs it only needs 1 handle, but I'd mount it on a side, rather than on top. This makes it easier to carry (more "ground clearance") and keeps the handle out of the way of a head one might want to place on top. I MUCH prefer recessed handles.

FYI... Duke has a very cool recessed top strap handle design that eliminates the 'head wobble'... genius... so simple that you wonder why everyone doesn't use it. However, again, for a larger, heavier cab, two handles makes a bit more sense to me.

[KJung]

Here is a picture of Duke's 'top mounted recessed handle', if you haven't seen it.

[KJung]

Here is a picture of the side mounted handle Duke is talking about... this is a 40 pound TecAmp 212, with two side mounted handles. One handle (pictured) has the tweeter attenuator/crossover shift control mounted in the cup.

Nice handle, since it has a 'four sided grip', which works great for getting it out of the car, and also for short carries, etc.

[Interceptor]

Both for me.

I drag a 40 pound cabinet all over the place. It has a strap on top. It is a PITA to lug any real distance, and stairs (which I seem to be a magnet for) are no joy. It gets clumsy.

But, the strap handle is nice for wrestling it into the car or on top of my cart.

I really appreciate having a builder ask!

Jim

[jlepre]

It might be easier if we could see at least a sketch of the design that you're working on?