I was looking around for a case for one of my flutes. Didn’t want to spend a fortune for one, so I made this:
It was a case for poker chips (it held 200 chips, 2 sets of cards and some dice…it’s 12"x 8"x 2.5" if anyone is wondering what size case I got).
I got some foam and cut out the relevant holes, covered it…and Bob’s your uncle!
I’m quite pleased with the result! …even more pleased, because the whole thing (case, postage, foam and velvet), only cost me £9 ( $18 )!!!
I like a good bargain! (…I really must stop using exclamation marks everywhere!!!Please shout at me in future, but only very nicely, if you see me throwing them about all over the place…it’s a bad habit of mine.)
For folks looking to do a similar project, old briefcases and backgammon sets are often available at low cost in very good condition at second hand stores.
Me, I just wrap all my whistles and flutes in a baby blanket and tie it with a shoelace. Simple works for me.
I’ve done several retrofits of hardshell cases in my time, including banjo, fiddle and guitar. I have been looking for a couple of these aluminum cases, wanting to try a combo of it’s support with my tubes and the like inside.
I previously drew attention to these poker chip cases on another case-seeking thread. I’ve acquired a few myself, and although I haven’t yet done one up properly like Cass has (nice work!), I’ve just shoved in some bits of medium hardness foam and am using them quite satisfactorily to carry around some of the flutes I’ve been doing up for selling on. They look nice and have room for a concert flute plus a piccolo or a couple of whistles, or a spare flute head, etc.
I should point out again, though, that the poker cases aren’t actually all-metal - the top and bottom at least, and I think the sidewalls too, are hardboard with metallized plastic over them. However, the corner bindings, angle and edge strips are all metal and the handles, clasps and hinges are quite decent. Overall, these are tolerably tough cases, and with a well fitted foam insert, they will adequately protect a flute against most normal hazards, e.g being dropped or kicked or moderate rainfall. They wouldn’t survive being impaled, run over by a car or repeatedly forcefully slammed against a brick wall, nor seal out water if immersed.
…even more pleased, because the whole thing (case, postage, foam and velvet), only cost me £9 ( $18 )!!!
