Gr4yb3ard
07-04-2008, 05:59 PM
All,
My project was to find a compact and simple case to take my Wolverine with me when I run around the universe. It had to be lockable, look decent and be airlineable.
Nothing fit too well, or it was too expensive. Let's face it, it's hard to justify spending $250 for a case when you could get a Spartan or a new 200 airframe for about that....
Also, I wanted something that everyone could duplicate, not just some one-off that I lucked into.
...and it had to carry *everything* to keep me flying for extended lengths of time!
This is a long post, I like using large photos as well, so hang on...
---------------------------
So far, my best solution is the "Gear Case" marketed at Love's Travel Stops. These stores are pretty common, the case is shown on the website along with a location finder http://www.loves.com/Default.aspx?tabid=62.
This is what I will use for the 200 system also make a separate tx case. I also will show my other cases, and how I can tweek what I take to the field with them. One, Two or Three Heli's with only ONE carrying handle!
First, here is the ubiquitous Align case. Please tell me what it's for, I'm still not sure ;-) It's big enough to carry blades and parts, but there's no compartment capability, huh. Not that I don't appreciate it Align, but I could not find a use for it until now...
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0930.jpg
Here's what the Gear Cases look like. $29.95 at Loves, you get both for that price.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0931.jpg
I took these cases to Americase, here in Waxahachie. They cut the foam for both cases, as a favor for me. They have kept the dimensions and will cut more, but need 5 or more units to keep the cost down, as well as their need to store the partially used sheets.
In any reasonable quantity, the foam set for both cases should run about $30 plus shipping. If you're interested, let me know, and I'll keep count, and I'll help arrange an order. If you want to find the foam locally, you might try a local upholstery or camera shop.
Mark your equipment outlines with kid's watercolor markers from Walmart. Cut with an electric knife, the same one you use to carve the turkey. Trust me on this one, nothing works better or is easier to keep the cuts vertical in the foam! Borrow one, steal one, anything, don't start carving this stuff with a regular knife though, use the electric knife!
The TX case uses one pc 1-1/4" eggshell in the top, 1/2" sheet bottom, and 2" middle "cutout" sheet.
The 200 case uses 1-1/4" eggshell in the top, 1/2" sheet bottom, 1-1/2" lower cutout, 2" upper cutout sheet.
The tx case used one cutout for the receiver, and one for my trainer cables. I reserved space for a rechargable tx battery & charger if I every decide to use one. I also used a 3/8" drill bit to cut the holes for the spare batteries.
Measure three times, cut once.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0932.jpg
The 200 travel case is a bit more complicated. I outlined 200 & tx, then cut the top 2" sheet for only the 200. The two sheets were then CA'd together, and I then made full depth cuts for the tx and parts boxes, charger & battery locations.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0937.jpg
I put flybars and blades in ziplock bags and stash between the foam and case on either side. The ziplocks keep them from sinking out of site and protect the finish on the blades.
The small plastic cases are Plano #3449 available at Walmart. They fit mainshafts, batteries, etc. quite well, $1.49 each. Use those tiny zip-bags some parts come in for all the small washers etc., to keep them from jumping compartments, working out of the case, and getting lost.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0938.jpg
Now I've got my TX, 200, batteries, charger, spares and tools in one case. 17.5 x 13.5 x 6.5 inches!!!! As well as a dedicated TX case. Total cost $62, including the plastic parts parts cases.
Sometimes I like to take a couple of birds, but it's a hassle having multiple cases. Here's a way to keep things simple....
I use a Wingtote, housing the tx, strap, and lipo bag on one end compartment. The other side contains two Plano bins (7 x 10.75 x 1.75") also from Walmart. Sorry these don't have a part number on them, but very common. Again, all the spare parts, right down to bearings, spindles, gear legs, tools, can fit in these. You can stash spare blades, flybars, even a spare boom alongside the foam on the floor of the main compartment.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0940.jpg
I made a separator of 1/8" ply, covered with thin foam, it goes diagonally in the case. It's tight, but I can put two 450's in the Wingtote, along with chargers and batteries. The 200 goes in the Align case, and bingo, a three-heli system with ONE handle. This works with only one 450 and the 200 as well. Obviously the two birds face in opposite directions, canopies alongside the others tail.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0939.jpg
So, now I can take my complete 200 setup with me in something that looks just fine on an airplane, or parked by my laptop bag at a meeting. Or I can take along two birds, even three, and i've still only got one thing to haul around. I just wish the 600 was this easy. I'm working on it after some other projects, still looking for a decent case.
Gr4yb3ard
My project was to find a compact and simple case to take my Wolverine with me when I run around the universe. It had to be lockable, look decent and be airlineable.
Nothing fit too well, or it was too expensive. Let's face it, it's hard to justify spending $250 for a case when you could get a Spartan or a new 200 airframe for about that....
Also, I wanted something that everyone could duplicate, not just some one-off that I lucked into.
...and it had to carry *everything* to keep me flying for extended lengths of time!
This is a long post, I like using large photos as well, so hang on...
---------------------------
So far, my best solution is the "Gear Case" marketed at Love's Travel Stops. These stores are pretty common, the case is shown on the website along with a location finder http://www.loves.com/Default.aspx?tabid=62.
This is what I will use for the 200 system also make a separate tx case. I also will show my other cases, and how I can tweek what I take to the field with them. One, Two or Three Heli's with only ONE carrying handle!
First, here is the ubiquitous Align case. Please tell me what it's for, I'm still not sure ;-) It's big enough to carry blades and parts, but there's no compartment capability, huh. Not that I don't appreciate it Align, but I could not find a use for it until now...
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0930.jpg
Here's what the Gear Cases look like. $29.95 at Loves, you get both for that price.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0931.jpg
I took these cases to Americase, here in Waxahachie. They cut the foam for both cases, as a favor for me. They have kept the dimensions and will cut more, but need 5 or more units to keep the cost down, as well as their need to store the partially used sheets.
In any reasonable quantity, the foam set for both cases should run about $30 plus shipping. If you're interested, let me know, and I'll keep count, and I'll help arrange an order. If you want to find the foam locally, you might try a local upholstery or camera shop.
Mark your equipment outlines with kid's watercolor markers from Walmart. Cut with an electric knife, the same one you use to carve the turkey. Trust me on this one, nothing works better or is easier to keep the cuts vertical in the foam! Borrow one, steal one, anything, don't start carving this stuff with a regular knife though, use the electric knife!
The TX case uses one pc 1-1/4" eggshell in the top, 1/2" sheet bottom, and 2" middle "cutout" sheet.
The 200 case uses 1-1/4" eggshell in the top, 1/2" sheet bottom, 1-1/2" lower cutout, 2" upper cutout sheet.
The tx case used one cutout for the receiver, and one for my trainer cables. I reserved space for a rechargable tx battery & charger if I every decide to use one. I also used a 3/8" drill bit to cut the holes for the spare batteries.
Measure three times, cut once.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0932.jpg
The 200 travel case is a bit more complicated. I outlined 200 & tx, then cut the top 2" sheet for only the 200. The two sheets were then CA'd together, and I then made full depth cuts for the tx and parts boxes, charger & battery locations.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0937.jpg
I put flybars and blades in ziplock bags and stash between the foam and case on either side. The ziplocks keep them from sinking out of site and protect the finish on the blades.
The small plastic cases are Plano #3449 available at Walmart. They fit mainshafts, batteries, etc. quite well, $1.49 each. Use those tiny zip-bags some parts come in for all the small washers etc., to keep them from jumping compartments, working out of the case, and getting lost.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0938.jpg
Now I've got my TX, 200, batteries, charger, spares and tools in one case. 17.5 x 13.5 x 6.5 inches!!!! As well as a dedicated TX case. Total cost $62, including the plastic parts parts cases.
Sometimes I like to take a couple of birds, but it's a hassle having multiple cases. Here's a way to keep things simple....
I use a Wingtote, housing the tx, strap, and lipo bag on one end compartment. The other side contains two Plano bins (7 x 10.75 x 1.75") also from Walmart. Sorry these don't have a part number on them, but very common. Again, all the spare parts, right down to bearings, spindles, gear legs, tools, can fit in these. You can stash spare blades, flybars, even a spare boom alongside the foam on the floor of the main compartment.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0940.jpg
I made a separator of 1/8" ply, covered with thin foam, it goes diagonally in the case. It's tight, but I can put two 450's in the Wingtote, along with chargers and batteries. The 200 goes in the Align case, and bingo, a three-heli system with ONE handle. This works with only one 450 and the 200 as well. Obviously the two birds face in opposite directions, canopies alongside the others tail.
http://www.helifreak.com/http://i317.photobucket.com/albums/mm368/Gr4yb3ard/101_0939.jpg
So, now I can take my complete 200 setup with me in something that looks just fine on an airplane, or parked by my laptop bag at a meeting. Or I can take along two birds, even three, and i've still only got one thing to haul around. I just wish the 600 was this easy. I'm working on it after some other projects, still looking for a decent case.
Gr4yb3ard