[xraydelta1]

Its funny, isn't it, that you can spend thousands on a telescope and all you have to carry it is it's original cardboard box, and that doesn't last long.

I got a quote for a case to be made for my refractor, but $550+ is a bit steep for a case, no matter what it's made of.

I'm sure I'm not the first, but I hit on making a box of 6mm MDF with 20mm square pine for strength, using the foam packaging for the scope to determine internal dimensions.

Lacking the tools myself I had Bunnings cut up a sheet of MDF to the right sized bits and set about putting the thing together, using wood screws and a bit of glue where needed.

After it was all dried and done, I went with the idea of tie down straps and click buckles (like on a camera bag) to hold the thing closed, secured by larger screws and flat washers at key points. the carry handle was made from offcuts of the straps, folded a few times at the anchor points and bolted to the lid with decent sized nuts, bolts and washers.

I'm in the process of painting it with white acrylic and once that's done, I'll post a few pictures.