Pimp My Case (or: modifying a golf travel case)

[Craig]

Ditto. I just get sent to the main forums page. Is this noob needing to change a setting...?

That was a SEF (Search Engine Friendly) URL. It was causing forum errors so I turned that feature off. The link that will work is:
Check out my new gear case

Craig

[parrythis]

Actually, one of the coolest things about this bag is that the whole thing services the fencer's needs while standing vertically. Minimal bending over for the fencer. Minimal floor space taken up by the bag itself. You can fit 3 of these in the same amount of space as one bag laying down on the floor.

[etombs]

OK, my SKB 5020W just showed up yesterday and my kids have already named it "The Monolith". It arrived just in time because my hoffa bag ripped today...(argh...)

My thoughts on the "pimping" will be a combo between both hard cases I have seen on this thread(not the wooden one, for obvious reasons...)

I'm trying to figure out how to attach the handle inside the case for clothing and still keep it waterproof, as well as not have any portruding bolts on the outside(I can't risk them on the inside and scratching/damaging the lame')

any advice would be welcome.

[C.I.C.]

OK, my SKB 5020W just showed up yesterday and my kids have already named it "The Monolith". It arrived just in time because my hoffa bag ripped today...(argh...)

Be prepared for problems with a hard case that large if you travel much.
It won't fit in many car trunks and may even be to big even to sit cross-wise in mini-vans. You may have to strap it onto roof racks, so it's a good thing its weather-proof.

Pop rivets can be made water-proof and don't stick out too much.

[Inquartata]

Yeah, I was going to suggest rivets with a rubber washer or some silicone caulk. But I'd have suggested real rivets, rather than those abysmal pop-rivets.

[etombs]

Be prepared for problems with a hard case that large if you travel much.
It won't fit in many car trunks and may even be to big even to sit cross-wise in mini-vans. You may have to strap it onto roof racks, so it's a good thing its weather-proof.

Yeah, I already thought of that. It "just" fits into the back, but since 4 people in my family fence, it cuts the cost of throwing it on a plane because its one piece of oversized luggage, rather than 4 smaller versions of the same thing. Altlanta was close enough to drive last year for nationals..(8 hours) but Miami is not even a consideration.

Can you imagine 4 family fencers in the same car for that long? Family squabbles.... loooooong drive.... weapons in trunk.....There might be a few less of us by the time we got there.

[forethought]

I may be done modifying my SKB 5020W case sometime within the next month or two (money permitting), so I'll post the finished product once it's done. What I did for my handle is use standard screws, use silicone caulk on the outside, and up Lock-Tite on the threads to keep the screw from working itself off.

Let me tell you one thing though, if you want to get that foam off, do NOT just rip it out, take a hair dryer and melt the glue as you gently peel it off, and hopefully most of the glue will come off on the foam. Trust me, you want to do it this way, because it is the biggest pain in the world to get it off the case (I had to do it the hard way).

[griffindm]

I'm seriously thinking about making my own "El Chucko" style bag, but I'd like to know from him how his has stood up since he made it, and any observations he has about living and fencing with it since.

Thanks! ( and bows!)

[El Chucko]

I'm seriously thinking about making my own "El Chucko" style bag, but I'd like to know from him how his has stood up since he made it, and any observations he has about living and fencing with it since.

OK, I have been using it over a year now, and here's what I have found:

(1) The tubes that actually hold the weapons function exactly as intended. The three staggered lengths and arrangement are perfect. I routinely carry 4 epees and 3 foils with no problem. There are eight tubes, but I have never used all eight. If I wasn't an epee fencer, I probably would have tried to fit eight foils in it, and I suspect that they would fit.

(2) The axle of the hinge-mechanism at the bottom of the tubes has popped out of the brackets a few times. Not a big deal to repair, but there may be a better way to mount the tubes.

(3) The original bungee cord which held the mask in place at the bottom was a disaster. It was just too difficult to hook and unhook with the mask in the way, etc. I have since replaced it with two wide velcro straps which fasten easily in the middle. Much better.

(4) Since I don't compete in foil anymore, I never use the big multi-compartment boat-bag for my lame, and only use it for my shoes sometimes. In the end, it was not worth the money and trouble to buy it.

(5) I use the slightly smaller bags for my bodycords and other small items all the time. A few of these are fine, and a lot cheaper than the boat-bag mentioned above.

(6) Needless to say, I never use the lights and iPod speakers. They were a novelty that I pretty much just put in to be a wise-ass. Fun (and no harm done), but obviously not necessary.

(7) Overall, I love the case. For starters, the hard shell puts my mind at ease when traveling, and the wheels are the only way to go once you have been to a parking-is-two-miles-from-venue tournament. The fact that it stands and functions upright is also awesome. It takes up less floor-space, and stuff is easier to find and access.

Hope this helps.

[forethought]

Well, after well over a year and a half's worth of work, I've finally "finished" my hard shell fencing case; as you can see it is very much inspired by Purple Fencer's work:

Full Shot, open
Left Side
Close-up, left side
Weapon racks extended
Right side, top
Case, bare
Close-up, bottom

It doesn't quite hold as many weapons as PF's, (4 foils and 2 epees), mainly because I'm mostly a foil fencer who dabbles in epee sometimes when begged. My main hassle now is trying to figure out exactly which of my tools I need to keep with me, seeing as how the pouches weren't quite as spacious as I had hoped (mostly the ones on the left, the one across the back of the right side is huge!).

Hopefully, she'll hold up!

Edit: Since it keeps telling me "You did not specify a user name for your post" when I try to reply, to El Chucko, the case came with the handles on the side (and one on top), and I drive a truck, so it goes in the bed when I transport it to club and what-not.

@PF: I actually have a few spare carabiners lying around, thanks for the suggestion!

[El Chucko]

Nice job! I like the way the garment bags are hung. I am impressed (overwhelmed) by the mannequin head and foot things for the mask and shoes.

Did you add extra handles to the left hand side (near the foils)? Does it fit in your car?

[Purple Fencer]

Well, after well over a year and a half's worth of work, I've finally "finished" my hard shell fencing case; as you can see it is very much inspired by Purple Fencer's work:

Full Shot, open
Left Side
Close-up, left side
Weapon racks extended
Right side, top
Case, bare
Close-up, bottom

It doesn't quite hold as many weapons as PF's, (4 foils and 2 epees), mainly because I'm mostly a foil fencer who dabbles in epee sometimes when begged. My main hassle now is trying to figure out exactly which of my tools I need to keep with me, seeing as how the pouches weren't quite as spacious as I had hoped (mostly the ones on the left, the one across the back of the right side is huge!).

Hopefully, she'll hold up!

Inspired, Hell...that's a definite improvement on my bag! WELL done!!

One suggestion...the hangers are probably going to slip off the top...that's why I cut the hooks off and used a carabiner on mine...jst find something to keep the hooks from slipping off.

LOVE the holders for the gloves, mask, & shoes. With 2 extra weapons, i could not have done it that way.

[OROD]

Well, after well over a year and a half's worth of work, I've finally "finished" my hard shell fencing case; as you can see it is very much inspired by Purple Fencer's work:
...

Very nice!

.