Building a hardcase. Advice, Ideas and discussion

calmb4tehpwn · #1 01-05-2011, 08:01 PM

Okay, so I didn't know where else to put this, feel free, oh mighty moderators, to adjust as you see fit.

I'm making a case for my steinberger style lotus bass.

Before you say it, I know it's a hunk of crap guitar. I know this, and I love it anyways. I don't love it enough to spend a hundred dollars on a case (atleast not now) so I thought, hey. 18 dollars of plywood, 3 bucks in screw, 15 bucks in fabric, and 10 bucks in foam and I have myself a guitar case, right?

It's day two, and I now have cut out the pieces, and screwed them together. I have a top and a bottom. I made the top 2 inches deep on the inside, and the bottom 3 inches deep on the inside. It's deeper than I anticipated and plan to compensate with extra foam. I found the perfect fabric today, but the fabric store had a single yard of it, so I had them call around, and I'm making an hour drive tomorrow to pick it up. It's a purple wool in herringbone pattern.

Jesus. It's so gorgeous, and just my style, whacky, but aesthetically pleasing and tasteful. So tomorrow I am to sand down the corners, get some adhesive spray (any suggested brands out there?) and adhere my wool to my plywood. I had considered maybe priming the wood first, with black paint perhaps. Didn't know if that would help the wool adhere or if it was a waste of time. Also, anyone know of a good cheap foam provider? I've head ebay is decent, you can get defect foams for low as **** prices, but I'm in a bit of a rush to get it finished and dont want to wait a week for the payments to finalize, and a week again for them to ship it.

Also, pictures en route.

Ideas? Am I going completely wrong someplace, or is my plan sound, here?

T-Bird · #2 01-05-2011, 11:29 PM

Hi.

Your plan is sound. To me anyway.

I used contact cement to attach my internal structure (way different from Yours I know

)

Here's my thread about the case:

Making a custom case for Epi LTD Explorer

There's been others as well, misc. is usually the sub-forum where cases are discussed.

Regards
Sam

Jimbob Jones · #3 01-06-2011, 06:37 AM

Hi, sounds like it's going well! I don't think the wood needs priming, but i would wipe it down with a damp cloth to get rid of the dust from sanding.

As for foam suppliers, at least here in the UK it's darned difficult to get hold of. My brother needed two 4" thick 18" diameter circles, and it cost him almost £40 ($70?). That said, if you can find a shop that recieves in stock in foam packaging (a furniture store maybe?) then you never know what they'll be throwing out.

The other thing that has worked for me in the past is bubble wrap. It's cheap, and once you've got a few layers in the case and it coated in a layer of material, who'se any the wiser? The bubbles won't pop unless someone inteneionally bursts them.

calmb4tehpwn · #4 01-06-2011, 09:47 AM

A local fabric store carries high density 1 through 4 inch thick rolls of foam, but I'm looking to avoid spending $25. Apparently it's a steal compared to the UK, but I'll check out ebay first.

I'm worried about the plywood. It's just a touch over an inch thick, but I'd like to reinforce the corners.

On the other hand, I don't want to spend the time reinforcing the corners. This is supposed to be just a quick fix until I can sit down and spend a good month making a nice ass case.

Oh! One more thing. Anyone got a like for a nice place to get the metal corner elbows? I saw the ball corners on the forum linked, but I want something a bit less bulky. Any ideas?

Edit: Clarified my terms

Jimbob Jones · #5 01-06-2011, 10:07 AM

http://www.amazon.com/Rockler-Case-C.../dp/B001EZUXYS

I think it cost my brother so much because he needed it cut into circles tbh...if thick foam is very expensive, you can always layer up thinner stuff.

calmb4tehpwn · #6 01-06-2011, 12:30 PM

So case corner is the proper term, then? Too easy.
Thanks for the info, guys

calmb4tehpwn · #7 01-06-2011, 12:37 PM

Oh, damn. Almost forgot. Okay, so I'm adhering wool to case, right? Then putting the trunk corners on it. I was considering laquering, or.. sealing the wool somehow. You know? Put a clear coat on it. What might I use? Any techniques included?

Burlington · #8 01-06-2011, 12:41 PM

Do not paint or prime anything that you will be using adhesive on. You will want to make sure the wood is dry and clean though. 3M Hi-Strength 90 spray adhesive is the way to go. Use a good amount, spray onto the wood, let it get tack but not dry, then press the fabric onto it. Don't use too much adhesive that it soaks into the fabric.

Good luck! Post pics!

calmb4tehpwn · #9 01-06-2011, 01:21 PM

I'll post pictures soon. Got some with the wood together. Heading out to get the fabric time now.

Pictures to come!

calmb4tehpwn · #10 01-06-2011, 04:20 PM

Pictures!!

So, Today I picked up the fabled purple herringbone wool.

Stoked about that ****. It took 2 hours longer than it should have, and I have a resulting migraine for attempting to do it during rush hour, but I have it!

First, pictures of the plywood assembled.

calmb4tehpwn · #11 01-06-2011, 04:23 PM

And, now pictures of the fabric.

I'm not sure how well the pictures show the purple, but it's vivid as all hell.

Also, today I ordered some trunk corners from an antique website. Decent deal, I'd say. 8 corners for 4.75. Now I have to find the.. claspy thingies...

been a long day. I knew what they were called four hours ago.

blergh. More tomorrow.

If you got a good link on the claspy thingies, I'd be much appreciative.

Jimbob Jones · #12 01-06-2011, 04:26 PM

Lookin' nice!

Burlington · #13 01-06-2011, 04:37 PM

That thing is gonna be heavy! Are you going to put metal corners/edges on it like roadcases have?

calmb4tehpwn · #14 01-06-2011, 06:31 PM

I'm just putting the trunk corners on it. Plus the latches and the carrying handle.

I'm prepared for it to be heavy. I don't forsee an issue, since the bass itself, and the case, are smaller than the norm.

calmb4tehpwn · #15 01-18-2011, 03:35 AM

Update! Been awhile, as I haven't had enough time or enthusiasm to work on this case as I would like, but since my last update, I have sanded down the edges (Which took forever without a power sander) and applied some hardcast foil tape all the way around the sides to seal it up. I'm hoping the 3M 90 spray adhesive works as well on the foil as it does on wood (did a test run on some scrap wood, works great) but if it doesn't stick at all, I'll be okay for a bit, still. I'm really just looking to be up for our next show. And worst case scenario (no pun intended) I still just dip the whole damn thing in sealant and see how it takes.

Next step is adding the wool, wish me luck, as I may need it.

I'll take pre- and post fabric-adding pictures as well, for those few who are interested.