Building your own roadcase

[RichoKidd]

Has anyone ever done it?

I'm looking at doing it and need some advice if you have any.

Hit me up

RK

[andythemusician]

http://www.ausdjforums.com/modules.php? ... pic&t=2786

[RichoKidd]

That didnt really answer my question?

[dim]

I havent but i've had a few custom made for me.

from what i understand there is a case that protects your shit, you can make yourself with a few diy skills and some foam.

then there is a case which will be recognised as "roadworthy" by insurers and which means you are actually covered in the case of an accident.

the official cases have high spec, high quality foam and are built with respect to not applying pressure to the top of cdj platters but do hold vinyl platters from spinning. there are quite few issues depending on the kit etc.

obviously insurance may not be your concern, or it may be dif in oz, or maybe you just want handles on stuff so it's easier to carry...

what you after: what kit you carrying? details = info.

[SolDios]

I was going to make my own case for my mixer out of mdf, but it was going to be bloody heavy, luckily I found a big case in jb for $50 each, lined with foam and already had cut outs for 2 cd'djs and a mixer

[RichoKidd]

Currently rocking on 2X Stanton t62's & a M.212 Mixer. Planning on upgrading the mixer to the Numark M4.

[dim]

ok, that isnt much to go off but here's some ra:

1st things 1st: dont go building or buying anything until you've decided what ur doing with ur mixer.

the m212 and the m4 look like dif sizes so any case will need to be changed if you change mixer.

although: you could get standard flightcases for the dex for now, these retail at £75 each in uk for solid aluminium, bit cheaper for steel corners but plastic faces.

http://www.htfr.com/c/122/flightcases/m/85081/5st

and:

http://www.swanflight.com/dj-flightcase ... cases.html

main retailers are gator and swan, stucco, some others, but these are uk, dunno about oz.

what is really important is that the case has some padding foam in the lid of the case so that when it is closed the platter is stopped from turning, ideally you also want a way of keeping cables neat and unable to flop around and damage tone arm etc. I cut a gap in the foam in the lid and stuff plug in it, this keeps most things from flapping about. Always remove carts form tonearms during transport.

If you choose a coffin style case you will need 2 people to lift it, and it wont fit in many smaller cars without pushing the seats down.

if you are making your own the most common materials for the box are aluminium, plastics or carpeted ply for the faces, steel corners for the corners and riveted handles, i would seriously recommend researching the foam that the main manufacturers use. It is tough enough not to squish up and result in gaps between kit and foam over time but still squishy enough to withstand knocks by absorbing shocks to the external box. there's some products here:

http://www.terralec.co.uk/hardware/cove ... 27_0c.html

but i cant tell you which is the right one, i just rem the guy who built mine going on and on about the properties of the foam: his catchphrase was "a flightcase is for life" the lovable old geek.

with turntbable cases weight is gonna be one of the major issues, i know a lad who made a case for one deck and a seperate case for the other deck and mixer. this was a nice workable solution.

the real benefit of a coffin case is that all stays wired up which = less messing on arrival at gig sorting it all out but also = less solder wear on internal side of connections. ( in case you didnt know: each time you attach/detach cables externally they wear out the solder a little internally as you wiggle and twist etc.)

coffins are often seen in venues or where road crews are available on big tours etc. not so good for solo players. nightmares on stairs. on the plus though if you do go for a really solid coffin you can sleep on it if you have to: off the ground, and guaranteed your gear is safe.

the handles you choose if building your own need to be strong enough and fitted well so they dont come off under the weight.

wheels are a nice idea but rattle and shake along the floor really stresses internal components from what i've heard.

If you are looking for a way of protecting cases that may be moved by others (roadcrews?) and require insurance you will really need to buy proper, otherwise you'll have to proof how solid your diy jobs are to the insurer, that is a pain.

if you are doing diy a v quick method is to build a box to the dimensions of the retail packaging and use the foam from in it, slight mod maybe as you wont need to dismantle the dex the way they are for retail, p lus the foam wont last long as isnt built for it but then you can replace foam with the real stuff. i know people whove done this as its worked ok, although the cases always end up bigger than they need to be1

any help?

[andythemusician]

That didnt really answer my question?

Has anyone ever done it?

Yeah it did, it answered "yes, I have"

[dim]

That didnt really answer my question?

Has anyone ever done it?

Yeah it did, it answered "yes, I have"

nice.

really i wish i had something better to do with my day today but anyway:

andy: you gig a bit from what i can tell, got any good drummer jokes?

[andythemusician]

Yeah, how can you tell if the drummer's riser is level?

The drool is coming out of both corners of his mouth.

[dim]

fuk, thats amazing, that is exactly the joke i was gonna reply with!

ok, how do you know when the drummer is at the door?

the knocking speeds up and he comes in too early.

[dim]

ok, maybe not so amazing after all:

http://www.drumjokes.com/

[andythemusician]

Let's follow on here: http://www.ausdjforums.com/modules.php? ... 6594#66594

And haha first joke listed!