Anyone building their own cases?

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funaddict

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Just wondering if any of you have dabbled in building your own uke case? Other than just a straight-sided wood box? As uke builders we all have a high degree of DIYness, and I'm interested in building custom, from scratch cases to go with my custom, from scratch ukes.
Thanks,
Alan
 
Case are quite easy, but time consuming to make. I'm documenting a build here:

http://ukulelecosmos.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18828

Should be finished in a week or two, depending on how much other stuff I have on.

Note that materials alone cost about as much as a cheap case, so this is only worth doing if you have an odd-shaped instrument or want something different.
 
I would love to have a hard case for my 1925 gibson banjolele. Anyone wanna take that on?
 
I've done a few of them over the years, but they don't compare to even a cheap "store bought" one. Too darn many trades involved... cabinet making, upholstery, etc. It can certainly be a satisfying experience, but you'll never make any money at it :)
 
I'm glad this thread started. I'm going to begin building my case soon for my telelele...

It will be a simple rectangular tweed fender style case, but still, I'll look here for any tips.

I'm planning on building something like the old fender electric mandolin cases, but to the exact size/fit of my uke.
 
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That's a very impressive build you're doing there, Chris. I liked Alli's case a lot.

I am hoping to get ideas for something similar as my uke is a concert pineapple shape and I can't find a suitable case anywhere here in the UK. I hadn't even thought of using cardboard.

I'll be really interested to see how it ends. Thank you for sharing :)
 
AnnaUK said:
That's a very impressive build you're doing there, Chris. I liked Alli's case a lot.

I am hoping to get ideas for something similar as my uke is a concert pineapple shape and I can't find a suitable case anywhere here in the UK. I hadn't even thought of using cardboard.

I'll be really interested to see how it ends. Thank you for sharing :)
Click to expand...

Anna,

If you went to a British primary school you've done lots of cutting and glueing. This is just the same, but with stronger glue and you get to use the sharp-ended scissors.

Give it a try - Alli's case is all card, and pretty strong.
 
I've built my own cases for various things before-- my first ever case was for my Kala Kiwi... Its a semi-soft case (its basically open and closed cell foams and epoxied duck (in the manner of fiberglass, but without the foam melting uckyness for rigidness. Its surprisingly solid, but I wouldn't check it under a plane.)

It is something I'd like to redo, it was a load of fun to make, but time consuming and VERY exacting work.
 
case dd.jpg
Here's a rectangular case, they're much easier to build than a coffin case. I used redwood for the framing and 1/4" hardwood ply for the panels. The interior cutaway is from 2" builders' styrofoam and the lid is backed with 1/2" foam. All lined with velour and attached with contact spray (headliner stuff that's compatible with styrofoam. Real case hardware can be very expensive. Some cool handles (and even other hardware) can be found on old suitcases for a few bucks from the thrift store.
 
ProfChris said:
Anna,

If you went to a British primary school you've done lots of cutting and glueing. This is just the same, but with stronger glue and you get to use the sharp-ended scissors.

Give it a try - Alli's case is all card, and pretty strong.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, Chris, I most certainly will try it. I have experimented with a rectangle box case, like Chuck's one above, but made it out of 4mm MDF and hence the whole thing is mega-heavy. I will most definitely try cardboard.

I wonder whether it might be possible to use corrugated plastic (like art portfolio type folders are made from) as a 'net' could be made from one piece and folded up... Hmmmmmmm.

This kind of stuff:
correx-sheet.jpg


This is a really interesting thread, thanks for all the ideas. I'll let you know how it turns out (if I don't cut myself with the sharp scissors...)

:)
 
Boy howdy, am I glad this thread is around! AnnaUK do tell us how that corrugated plastic works out. My custom has displaced my other tenor out of a case, and I've been kicking around the idea of making a custom case for this new uke. I'd be concerned about the level of flexibility on that plastic, but if it works with cardboard, it may not be too bad.
 
Unless you've got an ukulele built from titanium I'd really stay away from corrugated plastic or card board like materials. Otherwise, forget the hassle and just go with a gig bag or carry it around in a card board box. A sheet of 1/4" Phillipine mahogany will set you back about $25 and will give you enough material for a handful of cases. It's up to you to decide what your uke is worth.
 
How about paper mache?

My old Triumph Herald (a car) had a paper mache tunnel over the gearbox (not that this is relevant :))
 
Thank you for your input, Chuck, I appreciate the voice of experience :)

In monetary value, my pineapple uke isn't worth thousands, but I do love it, and would be devastated if it got mangled :(

I'll have a think before I start sawing and cutting things up. I always seem to get in a mess with these sort of tasks(!) I shall let you all know how it goes...

(Dave - did you get rid of the Herald? I've got a 1972 Triumph GT6 and he's a BEAST :D )
 
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