 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-12-19 07:21
A while back I posted on a thread about case lining. To make clear how I made my double case I put together a web page. Here is a link to the folks who sold me the case. They have a case on sale which looks like a good box for a single Bb horn. If you are good at finding bargains on the foam and lining you can have a really servicable and nice looking case for well under $20.
<a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36870" target="_blank">Harbor freight case.</a>
<a href="http://pages.sbcglobal.net/thorlick/case/index.htm" target="_blank">My instruction page.</a>
<a href="http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=97451&t=97451" target="_blank">Case lining posted earlier.</a>
Hank wrote in a link for getting generic cases to convert. When you look at the prices you would be into the project at least $140 to $240 for the unfinished case! You would have a really nice strong case, but you could do better at any retail music store and not have to do the conversion.
BTW, I just saw this good price on the cases and wanted to pass it on, I am not associated with Harbor Freight in any way... I just like the case I made from their inexpensive blank case.
Terry
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2002-12-19 11:59
Terry,
With the website you have set up, this is an extremely impressive feat. And the double case to your specs for around $20.
Amazing!!!!!
Hank
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Author: Marge
Date: 2002-12-19 22:11
Presumably, you didn't use the case ($11.99) on the page to which your link takes us, as it measures 11-1/2" x 7-1/2" x 4-1/2", but the larger one ($26.99) for which there is a link on the bottom of the small-case page?? Using the smaller one would seem a physical impossibility.
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Author: Marge
Date: 2002-12-19 22:40
Terry,
Re the purchased foam: exactly what kind of foam did you use? I've looked through all your links and can't find much on the topic. You did mention open-cell foam, and in at least one of the photos it looks like styrofoam, which I understand to be a rigid foam, though you mentioned something about some compression (maybe 1/4" worth).
What sort of foam came with the case?
Thanks, Marge
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-12-20 01:56
The case comes with an open cell foam... sort of grey and firm. It cuts easily with a rasor blade.
I get my foam from the local surplus store. It is a white open cell foam, the sort used in pillows and mattresses. If you can't find an easy source for it just go to any car or furniture upholsterer. They will likely have some scrap sitting around and will probably just give you the piece you need. This stuff squeezes down easily... is really just a soft pillow for your horn... it really acts as a good shock absorber if you clunk the case around. Another source is most fabric stores, but that will cost more.
The small case is on sale, that is why I posted this. The larger one is the one I used... when it was on sale for around $14 a couple of years ago. For two horns you need the larger one. For a single horn the small case should be ok. I would take the measurments of the case (11 1/2" X 7 1/2") and draw that rectangle on a sheet of paper. Then set the pieces of your clarinet onto the paper. Arrange them so you have 1/2" around the periphery and 1/2" between pieces minimum... remember the barrel and mouthpiece can stand vertical, check that it fits ok before ordering any case.
Another thought is to go to a music store that sells cases. You probably can pick up a case which is decent but worn out on the inside... maybe free. You can gut a trumpet or clarinet case, gut it and do the foam trick... just be sure an old case doesn't have mites or other disgusting things going on. I bought a 1920's soprano sax once which had a musty and tobacco smelling case, my wife made me keep it out in the garage. To fix that I suggest two things... a day or two open in the sun and then the real trick, crumple up newspaper and stuff the case full of that. Close it up for a week, only opening it up to change the paper a few times. I was amazed that the musty and tobacco smells go away quite easily. If that was the problem with your case you just might not have to make up the new one!
Terry
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Author: Marge
Date: 2002-12-20 02:56
Terry,
Thanks for the further info. The kind of foam you bought must be polyurethane or polyethylene? I wonder whether the foam the case came with was neoprene (rubber? if so, would harm silver keywork, I guess). Probably not for the price, I guess.
What did you do with the lid?
I've learned that all clarinet cases do not fit all clarinets. Some parts of mine won't necessarily fit in the assigned spaces in certain cases.
I have just a B-flat but would like some space for all the "stuff" I tend to cart around also, including music, though that's the least of it. So, ideally, I need something bigger than what's usual for a single clarinet and the usual stingy accesories space. Maybe the bigger one would work.
Marge
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2002-12-20 04:06
Hi Marge,
Long time since I talked with you, right :-)
I agree with the idea of all clarinets not fitting all cases. I think the Buffet bell may have a tad bigger radius and thus will not fit in certain Selmer cases. Your 10G is probably like my 9* though in bell dimensions so I'll bet a Buffet bell might have a tight squeeze in your case.
Now for the point I wanted to make. If your case is OK and if you still are in need of some extra places to stow your gear, considering just using a large but inexpensive ballistic nylon briefcase.
I have a large case for my 9* and Leblanc to use when ever each is in favor but I have a large case cover with lots of pockets. While the cover is lined with padding and the detail is excellent, the briefcase works very well when I use the smaller case and it cost considerable less. Beside, black case covers are pretty cool.
Hank
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-12-20 05:03
I kept a silver plated R-13 in that foam lined case with no problems. You may want to check with a plater, or a repair tech on the safety of the foams. I think maost foams are safe... NONE are neoprene to my knowledge. They generally are not sulfur compounds, they don't outgas sulphur. That being said, if you use glue it is another matter completely. The glues have volatile solvents which cause problems.
The lid I left in grey foam. I was going to fasten in a cardboard panel wrapped in velvet and store music behind the carboard. I ran out of velvet on a remnant purchase so never did the top. Those HF cases come with foam up there.
Terry
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Author: Marge
Date: 2002-12-20 06:42
Yes, Hank, long time, no chat! Actually, it wasn't the bell that was the problem, but (I think) lower joint (too long for some cases' cavity, which had firm shaping (wood?) behind the velvet and so wouldn't yield.
Indeed I have considered a bigger bag to hold a clarinet in its case plus my "stuff." I am still, having done some web-browsing just tonight on a luggage/bags website. I don't really need another project, though Terry's method doesn't sound all that complicated, and using the larger-size case with one clarinet would take care of my storage needs.
For the past couple of years I have been using a cheap (think it was actually a give-away) canvas-type bag (like a somewhat short shopping bag), open at the top. One problem is that it's too floppy, won't stand up on its own, stuff tends to get "lost" in it (no pockets), gets squashed, and really has no protection.
One person in our community band has a tough nylon Olathe bag (at Muncy Winds, and maybe other places too), but it's kind of pricey, though I'm tempted. It's fleece-lined and has a pocket for at least music. I haven't looked at it enough to know how floppy (or not) it might be.
Terry: So the lid foam meets the clarinet pieces, or at least the parts of them that protrude the most? You've pictured how they fit into the bottom, but there's no fabric-covered shaped foam fitting down from the top? No top padding other than what came installed on the lid? Things don't shuck around (up and down, or from side to side when the case is carried? I'm having trouble visualizing the situation above the instrument(s), I guess.
Thanks, Marge
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-12-20 17:52
Marge,
<ol><LI>The foam holds all the pieces well enough that you can turn the case over upside down and the joints will stay in their slots.<LI>I didn't make a cover for the lid because I ran out of velvet and to do such a cover would probably require the use of glue and I didn't want to use any.<LI>A good option is to do what the violin case makers do. Look at a fine Violin case, it comes with a velvet "blanket". I suggest just cutting a piece of velvet scrap the size of the case and use it as a blanket to cover the clarinet when it is in the case. You can hem the edges, or not. That way only velvet touches the clarinet and you still have not used any glue.</ol>
Terry
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