convert suit case into equipemnt case?

I have several wheeled suit cases and they seem like a good way to carry
video and audio gear around.

Are there kits to create compartments inside a suit case so the equipments
don't bang around?

 

I like using old luggage as equipment cases for a couple of reasons...

1) They aren't nearly as attractive as a shiny high-tech looking case
with the word "SONY" (etc.) in big letters across both sides. To
thieves, this means "Steal Me!" Safer to leave along the sidewalk
or on the loading dock while you go get your vehicle to load up, etc.

2) It is a form of reuse/recycling. I like prowling places like Goodwill
for discarded luggage just for use as equipment road cases.

I typically get a big block of foam (or one for the bottom and one
in the top) and then carve places for the equipment and accessories.
There are various clean ways of cutting foam to fit equipment. One
of my favorites is to use an old "soldering gun" and replace the tip
with a length of #14 copper "house wire" (just the bare conductor
without the insulation!). You can form the wire loop (while cold!)
around the equipment and then turn on the gun to heat up the wire
and "carve" the appropriate cavities in the foam for the equipment.

 

That's clever. Why didn't I think of that?

 

| "james" wrote ...
| >I have several wheeled suit cases and they seem like a good way to carry
| >video and audio gear around.
|
| I like using old luggage as equipment cases for a couple of reasons...
|
| 1) They aren't nearly as attractive as a shiny high-tech looking case
| with the word "SONY" (etc.) in big letters across both sides. To
| thieves, this means "Steal Me!" Safer to leave along the sidewalk
| or on the loading dock while you go get your vehicle to load up, etc.
|
| 2) It is a form of reuse/recycling. I like prowling places like Goodwill
| for discarded luggage just for use as equipment road cases.
|
| > Are there kits to create compartments inside a suit case so the
equipments
| > don't bang around?
|
| I typically get a big block of foam (or one for the bottom and one
| in the top) and then carve places for the equipment and accessories.
| There are various clean ways of cutting foam to fit equipment. One
| of my favorites is to use an old "soldering gun" and replace the tip
| with a length of #14 copper "house wire" (just the bare conductor
| without the insulation!). You can form the wire loop (while cold!)
| around the equipment and then turn on the gun to heat up the wire
| and "carve" the appropriate cavities in the foam for the equipment.

That is a great idea. I know where to get the foam with the little pick-out
squares, which I don't like very much. Where do you get OEM-type foam in a
solid block?

Steve King

 

Most larger cities have specialty shops that sell big blocks and
slabs of foam, mostly for the uphostery trades. And there are
several online sources.

 

Another way to cut the foam is with an electric carving knife, the one with
the two cutting blades that move in opposite directions.
This works well on the very stiff foam.

Regards,
Martin