Some time ago there was a post about a metal case from best buy, staples or some such place.
I’ve looked at old posts and can’t find what I believe I read about.
Can any of you jar my thick skull or refer me to a case that can be altered for a flute case. Thanks, o
Are you set on a metal case?
I’ve used this for both keyed wooden and keyed polymer (and ebonite) flutes:
http://www.amazon.com/Plano-Protector-Single-Pistol-Case/dp/B000P3WPHI/ref=pd_sim_sg_1
I just cut out some of the chunks/bumps in the foam to fit the flute and it’s good to go. Metal cases require you open them at the airport, but I rarely have to open this one when it goes through x-rays.
Eric
For utility and price it is is really hard to beat the value of the plastic pistol cases. I have also found that a baroque flute in a cavallaro roll fits nicely inside a regular plastic pistol case with the foam removed, with room to spare for swabs, hygrometer, cork grease etc. I am pretty sure it would hold two flutes in separate rolls if one was so inclined.
Speaking of airports, the last time I was on the way up to work in northern BC, I brought my Blackman in its pistol case as carry on (since Air Kanada sees fit to not take any financial responsibility for lost or damaged musical instruments). It passed through the scanner, and I could tell by the puzzled looks on the faces of the security munchkins, I knew they didn’t have a clue what they were looking at. I told them it was an antique flute, to which they responded (seconds after the last call for my flight was announced) with a strong request for me to play a tune. They ended up holding the flight so I could play a couple of turns of Hardiman the Fiddler…
Clinton
I purchased a double bass case at a garage sale, and after padding the inside with foam there’s more than enough room for three flutes. admittedly the case takes up a lot of room, especially at a session, but the flutes are well protected, and there’s room for cork grease, cleaning rod and even a sandwich.
I’m a big fan of my Vanguard case, found in the gun section of a sporting goods store. It has a layer of perforated foam which can be custom ‘plucked’ to fit the flute. At festivals and such, the shoulder strap comes in handy.
I’ve always fancied trying one of these as they look like they will hold a D & maybe an Eb or F with a bit of re-modeling;
http://www.alangregory.co.uk/music/Trevor_James_Prolite_Rucksack_Flute_Case.html
(but I like to keep wood flutes in wood cases as a humidity cushion) Has anyone tried one?
H
The Rub circa 1988 http://www.box.net/shared/t024cpbiod Mazurka & Single Slip
H&Mc Blackwood D, Reel in D http://www.box.net/shared/evf8qpuoj6
I had never even entertained the idea of using something other than a flute case for my flute and other instruments. This certainly opens up a whole new avenue for me. 
In the U.S., if you want something more compact, I am currently using this:
http://www.casesandmore.com/ProTec-T308-Flute-TRI-Case-PRO1293.html
The bottom structure is just crushable enough for some custom fitting.
I’ve been waiting for that to happen, but it hasn’t. Till the last couple of years (with one exception on an international flight), nobody’s ever asked about the (usually polymer) flute, but the last several times I’ve flown, they’ve asked to see it. After all, it really does look like dynamite with holes in it. I occasionally offer to play a tune (I think the acoustics of a large airport might be quite interesting), but no takers.
I would like to have one of these:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2IzseDplvw
Thanks Kevin, I’ve ordered one to give it a try
H
The Rub - circa 1987 Mazurka & Single Slip Jig; http://www.box.net/shared/o13ofj007h
My H-M flute is still in its wood box. I have fitted the above case for a Wylde 8-key, and an anonymous 8-key I’m waiting to get back from Jon C., both R&R style. A Pratten Hamilton 6-key might require me to move a block in the case to fit the foot joint.
Likewise, this is to try for some of my original antique flutes, as I say I prefer wood as a “buffer” usually,
H
The Rub circa 1987 http://www.box.net/shared/o13ofj007h Mazurka & Single Slip - Hawkes Eb Pratten type
H&Mc Blackwood D, Reel in D http://www.box.net/shared/evf8qpuoj6
Murphy’s Surplus in El Cajon, CA (near San Diego) has a whole stack of metal Suzuki flute cases that they are selling for $12.00 each. I got one for my Noy keyless and a friend is using one for her antique 8-key.
They are the same as the case that goes with the flute in the following link:
http://www.amazon.com/SHOPZEUS-Suzuki-1st-Chair-Flute/dp/B002V1XN0U
Murphy’s has a website:
Kevin Krell
I think I’ll rip the innards out & do a custom fit with some poron.
H
The Rub circa 1987 http://www.box.net/shared/o13ofj007h Mazurka, Nip & Tuck (*Holmes) & Single Slip, The Hump (*Matthews) - Hawkes Eb Pratten type, serial 9714.
H&Mc Blackwood prototype D, Reel in D http://www.box.net/shared/evf8qpuoj6
A cigar-smoking friend gave us two bags full of cigar boxes. I noticed that several of the wooden boxes would make very nice flute boxes. The box I am showing has inside dimensions of 278mm x 157mm x 45mm, which is large enough to hold a digital hygrometer, humidifier (vitamin bottle with holes drilled top and bottom and filled with cotton) and custom partitions for the flute pieces. Ebay currently has 1,600 wooden flute boxes at auction, most of them priced below $10.
Wonderful lateral thinking Doug. I just jumped onto Ebay, and there must have easily been five or six cigar boxes on the first page that would make a wonderful start for a flute case.
Clinton