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[Marlow Wilson]

(I originally was going to post this in the marketplace, but dropped it here in case there were questions)

These are pretty light-duty, but they are $20 each and become cheaper in multiples.  I thought I'd share just in case any one could use them or would share other sources.  The seller imports them from China himself and lives in Montreal.  I'm not sure it would be cost effective for people in the states but I'm sure there are others selling these things.

The case come with easy to shape foam, dividers, a shoulder strap. I bought ten and plan on dropping some poor items that have been without cases for a while in them.  

I have no affiliation with the seller (in fact he wasn't my favorite person to deal with by email    ).

I have a few similar cases that I use with dry rentals for misc. cables and the like.  I plan to put some caseless lower end DJ mixers, my bar rig mic package, measurement mic and soundcard, etc.

So... does anyone have a similar lounge-level case solution?

I've always had trouble justifying cases for some less expensive items and I'm pretty excited about everything having a home, even if it's not quite roadworthy.

I'll try to post back with some pics of actual items in their new cases.  I must stress that these are not professional cases.  The foam is less dense, the hardware is not super sturdy looking, and these would not be suitable for daily use.
 

That said, I think they are a real step up from the milk crates and reuseable bags that they are to varying degrees replacing  : .

[Marlow Wilson]

I think the dividers are pretty much useless, though with some small l-brackets and a few rivets they could be made to be sturdy.

[Marlow Wilson]

[Dick Rees]

These have been available at Home Depot and other places for a number of years.  The dividers don't really hold together and the edge banding on the exterior comes loose very quickly, snagging on whatever.  The handles break if you look at them and I paid $12 for mine.  that was $12 lost.

Save your $$$ and get something that'll last more than a week or two.........

[Marlow Wilson]

Dick Rees wrote on Sun, 18 April 2010 17:30

These have been available at Home Depot and other places for a number of years.  The dividers don't really hold together and the edge banding on the exterior comes loose very quickly, snagging on whatever.  The handles break if you look at them and I paid $12 for mine.  that was $12 lost. Save your $$$ and get something that'll last more than a week or two.........

I agree 100%, except that I still have some things living in their original cardboard boxes.  I'm always on the lookout for used cases (pelican especially).  Many of these are items I don't use on a regular basis.

I'll report back on how they hold up, and do not plan on using them for anything strenuous.

I'd also be interested to know what other budget case options people are using.

[Gerry Seymour]

Those would make nice cases for mics, etc for folks like me. For mixers, etc., I'd spend a bit more, even in the budget realm. Here's what I keep my lighting console in: http://www.tuffboxcases.com/

It's reasonably stout for occasional use (not even close to an ATA case), and are pretty inexpensive. Their rack cases are decent for low-use, too. I use one for my amps. It's not gonna hold up under a lot of abuse, but what do you expect for the price?

I think this is the same folks: http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Space-Over-14-Space-RACK-MIXER-ROAD-C ASE-Heavy-Duty_W0QQitemZ300389986468QQcategoryZ23789QQcmdZVi ewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26 its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252 BDDSIC%26otn%3D20%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D91375486690297 05129

This is where I got my FOH rack case. It's stouter than you'd expect for the price. It ships flat, with some assembly required. I figure if it dies saving either my mixer or my Graphi-Q (both in it) then it saves me money. My main annoyance is that the edges are unfinished, so I anticipate the coating will peel and the edges will deteriorate.

From these guys (via eBay), I managed to get a 12/14 FOH rack (kit), a 10-space rack case (Tuffbox), and a briefcase-style case for my lighting board (Tuffbox) for about $420 shipped.

Again, it won't compete with ATA, but you guys may find a use for some of these for backup equipment or even some HOW locations where they need to be able to roll stuff a short distance between uses.

[Gerry Seymour]

As with the overall case, the dividers would be okay for light-duty use. I might look into something like this for storing mics and similar small equipment that's not mounted somewhere. It'd beat the hell out of the fishing tackle box I currently use.

[Gerry Seymour]

The stuff I posted in my original reply will certainly outlast these. They might even be usable for frequent use in van-packing lightweight items that need some protection.

[Marlow Wilson]

Gerry Seymour wrote on Sun, 18 April 2010 17:42

Those would make nice cases for mics, etc for folks like me. For mixers, etc., I'd spend a bit more, even in the budget realm. Here's what I keep my lighting console in: http://www.tuffboxcases.com/ It's reasonably stout for occasional use (not even close to an ATA case), and are pretty inexpensive. Their rack cases are decent for low-use, too. I use one for my amps. It's not gonna hold up under a lot of abuse, but what do you expect for the price? I think this is the same folks:  http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Space-Over-14-Space-RACK-MIXER-ROAD-C  ASE-Heavy-Duty_W0QQitemZ300389986468QQcategoryZ23789QQcmdZVi  ewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DDLSL%252BSIC%26  its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252  BDDSIC%26otn%3D20%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D91375486690297 05129 This is where I got my FOH rack case. It's stouter than you'd expect for the price. It ships flat, with some assembly required. I figure if it dies saving either my mixer or my Graphi-Q (both in it) then it saves me money. My main annoyance is that the edges are unfinished, so I anticipate the coating will peel and the edges will deteriorate. From these guys (via eBay), I managed to get a 12/14 FOH rack (kit), a 10-space rack case (Tuffbox), and a briefcase-style case for my lighting board (Tuffbox) for about $420 shipped. Again, it won't compete with ATA, but you guys may find a use for some of these for backup equipment or even some HOW locations where they need to be able to roll stuff a short distance between uses.

In that realm I'd rather go to audiopile.net for cases.  I bought these as a step up from a cardboard box in a milk crate.

By low end DJ mixer I mean something that's worth $50 to $75.  I also have a cheap DMX board that will be happier in this case than nothing. With items like this it's hard to justifying putting $100 into a case shipped with foam - even if that's a good deal.  

[Dick Rees]

Besides purchasing from AudioPile.net (which I do regularly), Labster Richard Palm has a business dealing used gear where (if you shop over the long term) you can find very usable gear.  Here's a link to the "road case" section.

http://stores.ebay.com/AVFORSALE_Road-Cases_W0QQ_fsubZ564210 0QQ_sidZ10981170QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

[Gerry Seymour]

In general, I'd agree. However, I couldn't match budget at Audiopile. I was allowed $400 to spend on cases (including shipping) as I saw fit. I wanted to get 2 amps, my wireless receivers, my crossover, my DSP, 2 mini-tower computers, my mixer, and my lighting console all in cases. At Audiopile, I couldn't come close.

[Marlow Wilson]

Dick Rees wrote on Sun, 18 April 2010 18:06

Besides purchasing from AudioPile.net (which I do regularly), Labster Richard Palm has a business dealing used gear where (if you shop over the long term) you can find very usable gear.  Here's a link to the "road case" section.  http://stores.ebay.com/AVFORSALE_Road-Cases_W0QQ_fsubZ564210 0QQ_sidZ10981170QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

Thanks for the link.

I do regularly look for used cases, so I'll add this to the many places to check out.

I'll admit that I had reservations about buying those cheap cases, but the previous one I have has stood up to occasional use for over a year now.

[Brent Gillespie]

I've had one of those cases for about  8 years now and its held together  very well .  I wanted a case for my   NSI  lighting foot controller.  I added some foam here and there  and it works  perfectly.  I admit I did'nt have much faith in the case from the beginning  but its still doing the job and I've put it through some abuse.

[Mike McNany]

Last cheap case I bought for similar duty was a plastic pistol case from Wal-Mart for about $20. Designed for 4 standard size pistols, it has several layers of foam, some are pull & pluck, some are convoluted padding type. Great size for mics & DIs. Somewhat like a knock off Pelican case, I think Docasil(sp?) brand. I use mine for a cheapee NADY 2 wireless mic set for  (gasp) DJing  

Mike McNany

[Marlow Wilson]

Mike McNany wrote on Mon, 19 April 2010 08:28

Last cheap case I bought for similar duty was a plastic pistol case from Wal-Mart for about $20. Designed for 4 standard size pistols, it has several layers of foam, some are pull & pluck, some are convoluted padding type. Great size for mics & DIs. Somewhat like a knock off Pelican case, I think Docasil(sp?) brand. I use mine for a cheapee NADY 2 wireless mic set for  (gasp) DJing   Mike McNany

A pic would be great!  We have less gun cases for sale in Canada, so it never struck me as a possibility.  

[Mike McNany]

After I checked them out, turned out they were Plano brand, same as the tacklebox people. Model 1404 Plano Protector series. I think it came with two each of the two types of foam, two pluck & pull and two of the eggcrate.

The open pic has a tape measure opened to 2 foot, see the red mark.


Mike McNany

[Mike McNany]

Case closed (no pun intended)  

[Tim Weaver]

Gerry Seymour wrote on Sun, 18 April 2010 17:42

From these guys (via eBay), I managed to get a 12/14 FOH rack (kit), a 10-space rack case (Tuffbox), and a briefcase-style case for my lighting board (Tuffbox) for about $420 shipped.

Just FYI, I got a 12 over 20 slant rack made by OSP from these guys for like 450 a couple years ago. It looks like prices have gone up, but heres a 10/16 with 2 tables for 420.

http://www.roundmountainsounds.com/Home/tabid/944/CategoryID /246/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/3193/Default.aspx



When I bought mine shipping was included too. I've got a couple OSP cases and while they are not as heavy as an Anvil or Calzone they have held up extremely well for my uses. They have cheap non-ball-bearing casters, but I haven't broken one yet and a shot of graphite keeps them rolling well. I don't baby these things either. They get shoved and bounced and dropped just like you would expect them to be when used by a small soundco.

The only problem I've had with OSP is that when you first get them you should go over all the hardware and tighten things up. My rack rails look like they were torqued by a 10 year old Chinese girl. Which, maybe they were.....

[Gus Housen]

I use seveal of these or avariation of these and have for several years for wireless mics and even inexpensive projectors.
I super glue in the dividers and that works fine. Get the rounded corner vertion they like the op has they last better.
Harbor freight caries these on sale for $12 or so on sale.

For my application they work fine, and hold up OK. If I was going out on the  road I would want something a little better but for me they hold up fine and work for my needs.

[Bennett Prescott]

The nice thing about pistol cases is they're usually fairly sturdy and locking, to comply with TSA regulations. I just use a Hardigg case, but the contents of the case are an order of magnitude more valuable than their enclosure, so I sleep easier at night with the good stuff.