Hi,
I bought a little anvil case at Staples made by Vaultz. It was designed for CD’s. I removed the CD sleeves and will line it with foam. They sell them at Staples, (found out it is more expensive) at Best Buy and Office Max. They go for around $22. I think they would be good for air travel. Comes with a shoulder strap also, and it even locks…
That is kickass…
Your ideas intrigue me, and I’d like to subscribe to your newsletter. 
Where do you find the foam that you can cut holes in to accomodate
your flute?
Nice Jon! I’ll have to check that out.
I’ve also seen these around: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=2-1/qid=1136474662/ref=sr_2_1/602-5118225-7094207?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B000AAN6AQ
You could throw out the chips and cards if you’re not the gambling type, and use these cases. They used to carry a line (of which I have one) that were of a cool, all-aluminium look which also has clasps (no lock) and is even already lined in egg-shell foam on the top - you’d just have to cut a piece for the bottom. Alas, the smaller set we got isn’t long enough for a Pratten-esque middle joint or I’d already have thrown the chips and cards into a spare shoe box!
Also FYI: My flute teacher/friend used a Chef’s Knife-Case for the transport of his flutes and whistles - pretty nifty and fairly cost-effective as well compares to ‘professional musicians’ cases.
Cheers,
- Ryan
What’s the best type of foam to use for these applications and how does one get it?
I’ve heard that in the guitar world, certain case linings can degrade chemically overtime and alter the finish of the instrument. In this case of my Rickenbacker, this has the side effect of adding a pleasant, mildly addicting fragrance to the guitar (Talk to any Rick owner and they will confirm this).
Anyways, is chemical interaction an issue to wory about with foam ona wooden flute?
I get the polyurathane foam at a yardage shop. It is best to glue fabric on it, so the foam doesn’t touch the wood. I glue on the fabric, like felt or velvet with 77 glue adhesive. I think also that the finished instruments might be more a problem with the foam then unfinished flutes.
I like the poker box idea that Spiddle came up with. I can give the chips to my parents, they are rgular penny antee poker players… This would be a good size for Prattens.
Jon, what are the dimensions of the box? I have some one-piece fifes that I need a decent carrying case for.
Thanks!
I used the wooden box from a set of reeves acrylic paints. I bought foam at a packaging supply store and cut slots to fit the three flute joints and a tube of cork grease
Inner Dimmentions: 10.5" long x 6" wide x 2.5" high
Should fit your fife.
I should say that Office Depot was the most expensive place to by it. (figures! That is where I bought it… 
) You could go to Best Buy and take your fife with you…
The advantage of the Vaultz box, is that it can be tossed around and not get damaged. (especially if someone sits on it at a session…)
Jon, what is 77 glue and where can you get it? Thanks, John.
Sadly, no. A one-piece fife (Bb) is about 15-16 inches long. Even the diagonal of the box you mention is just 12". .
'Twas just a thought anyway.
-Chris
It is a 3M 77 contact spray adhesive, you can get it at a hardware store or a Home Depot type place. It comes in a aresol can.
Sadly, no. A one-piece fife (Bb) is about 15-16 inches long. Even the diagonal of the box you mention is just 12". .
'Twas just a thought anyway.
They make a larger one that might work for you, i don’t know the measurements but it is the size of a binder, so you might be able to fit it in sideways. It is $40 at Best Buy
yeah, but it also looks like it contains expensive stuff. Of course, I don’t let me flute cases out of my sight when they’re out of the house, so maybe that’s not a big deal.
It does contain expensive stuff! 
Maybe you could cuff it to your hand, like the spys do? 
Didn’t the Blues Brothers do this? I think it was with a harmonica…sure does make one look cool.
I love that line in the movie; “Are you the police?” “No mam, were musicians…”
Using foam to line these cases produces a bouncy resilient surface that is not fitted to the flute. What I want to use is something compressable that can be rendered to exactly form-fit the flute. Terry’s cases for instance have something like this in them. I put a bopep on the side of my McGee and it made a perfect home for itself in the case just by pushing down a bit. I’ve thought about trying that squishable green foam that is used in flower aranging, but it seems too delicate. Any suggestions? Terry?
Clark
You can cut the foam to fit the flute though. I have mine cut such that it holds the flute snugly but does not force any of the keys out of their relaxed state.
I think if you did something like this, like Monkey587 said. it locks the flute in place.
