Just got this today from a friend, Khun Noom. We’re going to redo the latches in brass maybe, if I can find a good place to get them (any ideas for mail order in the States?). We’re also talking about moving them out a bit from the center.
The case is teak, and the whistle is an MK low D. I was thinking about doing this for awhile, as the cloth case doesn’t offer any protection if you drop it, and it is too long to fit in the bag I usually carry (and I don’t want to always have it in the gig bag with my mic stand, etc.).
The small tabs you see sticking out are so you can pull the whistle out easily. There are pads holding the whistle parts in. Nice and snug, and protected well.
The small open part is for a polishing/drying cloth, etc.
He’s able to make more in other woods if anyone is interested. We can do all sort of exotic tropical hardwoods, since we’re in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
I have done some carpentry/cabinet making, and used solid brass hinges from Brusso. They were expensive, but very high quality. I cannot vouch for the quality of all their range - but on the basis of the hinges I bought would recommend looking at them for latches etc. I was very tempted to by this latch, but was not sure how to attach it securely to the box and was worried about making an expensive mistake.
I ordered from a UK distributor, so cannot comment on Brusso mail order department.
Looks like you are on the road to something good. I agree with your plan to move the latches out further on the side (think about doing that with the hinges as well). You might consider something a little smaller also, like the LT-25 from this source: http://www.umx.info/cat/cigar-box-purse-latch-ct1.htm , or more unusual like the LT-31: http://www.umx.info/cat/cigar-box-purse-latch-ct2.htm. Please note that I’ve never dealt with this vendor or seen these particular products in person, this is just a suggestion. The items pictured certainly aren’t up to the quality standards of the one Pat mentioned, but are a fraction of the price and might serve for the box.
In that same vein, it looks as though the top is held to the rails by small brads. I’m far from being a fine woodworker, but I think there are other options that might end up being more durable/attractive. If you do go into some kind of limited production please consider making boxes with three and four slots configured for simple system flute. There are a couple of custom flute box makers out there, but most concentrate on modern flute layouts. IMHO there are probably more folks who would order a custom flute case than one for a low whistle.
Finally, you might consider rounding the edges of the box a bit more. I don’t know about you, but I tend to throw my instrument cases in a backpack and the sharp edges of a similar case I have always seem to dig into my back.
Very nice box. The idea however, seems somewhat familiar. Mind you, using a solid piece of teak will give you an even more sturdy box. Off-cuts and leftovers from joineries can be turned into useful things sometimes.
Good suggestions all. We’re certainly going to make some changes–the hinges/latches need to be moved, and I agree about rounding the corners. I did that for a small mountain dulcimer case (a soprano dulcimer) and it worked out very well. The woodwork is a combination of glue and some brads for strength, and the small holes could be filled easily enough. I’ve done all glue before, and it works, but is difficult depending on the size of your clamps! We’d also take the inner layer down in size, as it is probably too thick. That would save on weight as well, in addition to changing types of wood – so teak or rosewood tops, with basswood or casurina (a tropical pine) for the sides. Still plenty strong and durable, but not so heavy.
Finding good brass latches and hinges is always difficult locally, hence the need to do mail order.
That case for the flute looks great – we’ve got off cuts from guitar building to work with as well.
I’ve seen some nice flute cases – and cases for small whistles, but not for lows yet. That’s how I got inspired to work one out. I didn’t build this particular one myself, but had a friend do it. I like the whistle “rolls” you see, but I’m not sure they give enough protection, so that’s why wood.
We weren’t thinking of doing them for sale, but could if there is interest I would guess. I’m more interested in knowing what sorts of cases people use, and what they like don’t like. More pictures (like the flute case above) would be great.
DrPhil’s suggestion of the Brusso catches is a good one. Woodcraft offers a few Brusso products in the US. Other woodworking specialty shops (Rockler,Woodworker’s Supply)have similar hardware on offer. They will also have other small box harware you could look at. I use these catches, which come in a couple of sizes, for flute cases. They are like the HD latches Latticino suggested.
You’re welcome. They are heavy solid brass pieces. They are probably the same harware as the HD latches Latticino pointed out above. Woodcraft have a few other catches as well. You could try Rockler too. If you’d like, you could also look at musical instrument case latches at places like Ferree’s. The subject of case hardware comes up on the flute forum now and again, Here’s one post:
Personally, I like to keep my low d whistles assembled. If you are thinking of selling cases commercially, you might want to make a case for a single low d (assembled), or two low d’s (assembled).
I like to keep my whistles together as well, but the low D’s are pretty long. That’s the issue I was thinking about since I need to carry it in a messenger bag sometimes; and since I don’t want the brass tuning slide to get bent, the idea of a wooden case similar to that for a flute. The idea of a multiple whistle hard case is a good one, and one I’m thinking about. Of course, then you run into needing a new case when you get a new whistle…
I’m going to explore making them out of bamboo as well, since that is long and light AND rigid enough to protect the whistle well.
So we’ll see. If I get a better design that is easy to do I’ll post photos. My idea was not to do this commercially, but there certainly seems to be interest – I’ve already sold the case to another person on C&F. So I might be able to work with Noom to come up with a good design. If folks are interested, let me know.
I think the box would be a good idea if you want to store your whistles in your home or if you’re going traveling with one or two whistles. But if you’re going to play in a gig and are carrying several whistles, boxes would be too impractical. I love my well made ballistic nylon cases Colin Goldie designed and sells with his whistles. They offer plenty of protection and to my knowledge, they are the best soft cases I’ve seen on the marktet. I bought some well made and nice lookin hard cases in China for my wood Chinese flutes for only $20 each. Next time I go to China I will buy some for my whistles. They come in a variety of sizes. Cheers
