One thing thats been bugging me since i got my scope is having a suitable storage case for home and field. Last week i finished making one myself made out of 16mm MDF but its to bulky and just doesnt feel stong enough { im not a carpenter}. It would be great to have a case from JMI but thats way out of my budget so ive done a bit of searching for a company that makes custom made stuff . Found one place here in perth that sells brand and custom make ones plus foam inserts of all sizes and shapes ..... www.protectivecases.com.au . The owner was very happy to talk options and im getting one made up for just under $500 , its going to have wheels, handles and attractive aluminium skirts and should be ready for Chrissie . Ill pass on progress and if your interested have a look at their site.
I got my local foam cutter to cut semi circular channels in the foam so my ep's lay down on their side as shown in this picture. Much easier than cutting holes. The lid has channels cut in it too but I turned it upside down as it was a bit loose. Putting in a pack of silica gel (for moisture absorption) is a good idea too.
The only other addition I plan to make is for two of the new 24mm Panoptics and a Denk binoviewer with 2 way powerswitch, when my bank balance allows - probably not for another 6 months.
The variable polarizing filter requires too much infocus (even with a barlow) to use in my TV101. Using just one part of the filter screwed into a 1.25" ep sort of works (the threads don't quite match). Still it helps cut glare when doing Lunar observing.
Took delivery of my storage case today ...... Workmanship and quality outstanding and i genuinely recommend if anybody is seeking a custom case give Protective Cases a call , Greg {the owner } is very friendly and provides top class customer service .
hey Vermin...those eyepieces must be a real treat....waaaaaaaaa I wish those were mine ......ok....im gonna go to sleep now and im gonna have a dream with me in it ....the dream involves me and I suddenly own ALL OF THESE EYEPIECES MAGICALLY !!!!...( then of course I wake up and it's back to the drawing board)...hehehehehe.....o well its nice to dream !!!!!!....
I started with an aluminum tool box from Bunnings (on sale now for A$25...but, I got the last one at my local store...it was missing the strap and the Manager sold it to me for A$10!). I removed the stuff inside (dividers etc.)
A quick trip to "Foam Booth" (a store specializing in all things Foam) a few minutes with a Stanley knife and I've got a new eyepiece case...
All told I spent A$37!
I just need Vermin's eyepieces now and I will be set!
hey waveland scott....do u have any pics of that case outside & inside???....just curious, because I went out and did the same thing !!!!!....(please excuse the bad cut job on my foam)...lol
Sorry, I still don't have a picture to attach but, the interior of the case looks just like yours...Great minds think alike!
I picked different foam (without the scallops) and a little thicker in the lid...I did the bottom (base) with two different thickness just like you did...
I used a "magic marker" to draw straight lines and trace around my eyepieces...that way wife willing, I can some day add another eyepiece or two or three...
My first few cuts were similar but, I got smoother as I went and the cutting improved once I started doing the final cuts from "the backside"...once I could "see" where the cut from the top was coming through...
Cheers...
Last edited by wavelandscott; 08-01-2005 at 04:54 PM.
Thats my next project aswell...making a eyepiece case....thanks for all the idea's and tips boys...will post photo's once finished but will be a couple of weeks away.
im not a carpenter}. It would be great to have a case from JMI but thats way out of my budget so ive done a bit of searching for a company that makes custom made stuff . Found one place here in perth that sells brand and custom make ones plus foam inserts of all sizes and shapes ..... 
my 14 uwa is a monster ...Wow the bino-viewer would be a treat on the dob...
