I’m looking for a case for my pipes. I’ve read some of the postings on this forum and note that a few people have recommended using gun cases like the one for sale on ebay:
The dimentions of the case are 34" x 13 1/4" x 4 1/2". Isn’t 4 1/2" a little thin for a set of pipes? The cases sold by Seth Gallagher are 6", as are those sold by NPU.
My bellows by Seth don’t close down as far as leather bellows. Consequently you need a case with interior depth of 6 inches. All the shotgun cases I’ve seen are less than this.
My bellows is the determining factor in my case choice. It needs almost 6 inches, making it too thinck for most gun cases.
Chuck
Some bellows have a fixed connector (bellows → bag) that might affect case selection. Alain Froment, Michael Dow, and some others have that connector piece removable. My Taylor bellows, restored by Brad Angus, fits with no problem in a 4 1/2" H case.
Looks like NPU is carrying a case for practice sets only.
My gun case closes with a Gallagher bellows.
It closes when I squeeze my elbow against it, and it squeezes shut in the gun case, too.
The dimensions of my case are similar to what PJ has posted.
Here’s a Vanguard case (GDS-7454CW) that’s perfect. The inside dimensions are 31 1/2" x 12 7/8" x 8 1/4". Also makes a nice battering ram.
The other Vanguard case in the eBAY auction is similar but 34"L and 4 1/2H.
Kevin, could you post a pic of that case?
Does anyone have the website for Vanguard? I’ve tried to google it but there are too many agents/distributors.
I have the above Vanguard case for my pipes. No question it has all the room needed for a full set of pipes with room to spare without having to break things down other than disconnecting the bag and bellows. One of the main reasons I chose it, besides its obvious protective qualites, is that my Gallagher bellows will fit into it. Very few other cases can handle my bellows, as it only collapses to 6 inches. This case, even with all the egg foam liner, holds it no problem. The only drawback is the weight. I don’t mind it, but some people may not care for the 20lbs the case weighs. Although removing the end legs and wheels may lessen the weight by 4 or 5 pounds.
Ailin
This the one? You can get these at a variety of vendors online. Here’s a link to one:
http://www.exploreproducts.com/breakdownshotguncases.htm
Yes. The Guardforce GDS-6251C Breakdown Shotgun Case has some potential, too, although I have not seen the dimensions. It is advertised as a bit lighter.
I understand everyone’s contraint on the bellows and that might be something to keep in mind for the future. What’s great about the 4 1/2"H is that the pipes, with the foam inside, sit nice and tight. Changing positions on the case from vertical to horizontal still has them sitting snugly in place.
The 2-shotgun case by SKB would work well. It’s 40" x 9 1/2" x 6" outside
http://www.exploreproducts.com/breakdownguncaseskb4009.htm
you can remove the middle layer of foam
There are so many choices and so many different criteria for choices. I found that case to be really heavy and, at double the price of the Vanguard 34", expensive.
I carried my full set around for a few years to and from work and then to Joe Shannon’s, all by El and bus, in a tripod bag - very light but one had to be extra careful with it. The semi-hardshell seems to a good compromise for weight and durability. The Vanguard 34" could withstand a car going over it and an SUV was driven over the equivalent Mooncoin Froment rifle case (the case is still in use with a tire track on it!). The case mentioned above looks super-durable, too.
For Christmas I was given a Winchester brand double rifle case to carry my pipes around in. I can lay the whole set in diagonally, and only have to shorten up the base drone by maybe an inch at most (that’s a straight base drone on a C set), and it accommodates the bellows well even though the case is not so deep. There’s still room to put a flute and some whistles in there even after the tweaking supplies container is in! Crazy. But convenient.
Did anyone ever get one of the cases offered by NPU? I asked them for specs but never got a reply. I am using a double shot-gun case that’s 52" long, but like all gun cases, its only 4.5" deep. I can get it closed over the bellows laying flat, but that needs a lot of force, and its just ready to pop.
djm
This was similar to the tripod case that I once had:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=22699&item=7129581434