Range Box Project

DonVoigt · 10-28-2017, 09:56 PM

Styrofoam "saws" well, use a coarse hack saw blade. It also cuts with a very sharp, thin blade knife; but it makes a big mess and will keep on making a mess, I would not use it.

Look into ready made "equipment" cases for photographic equipment. It usually comes full of closed cell soft, but firm foam that is easy to cut.

Ebay has lots of them. Try a search for "aluminum hard case"; like this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/C402-Alumin...oAAOSwg0BZzso2

You can always line the hardwood cut outs with felt strips.

Rick W. · 10-29-2017, 09:20 AM

Rich,

You might consider what the Automag guys think of the oem Styrofoam inserts in their factory cases. Styrofoam deteriorates over time and has some side effects to the metal; at least in the automag world.

In my homebrew cases I used the French style insert. I have not made an English case yet. I used cheapo clear pine cutout(all one piece) to the pieces of the day to be presented. I used wool felt, over the cutout frame, to cushion the parts. If I needed elevation on some areas, more pine covered with felt. Then felt over the whole works in one piece stretched to get the wrinkles out. An old friend in Berlin sent me some pool table felt one time, it was nice grade stuff.

All of my cases were made from red oak or poplar(figured) from scratch in available dimensional lumber. I did put in a finger joint in each corner, and utilized a dust shield around the interior perimeter. When the case shuts, it goes whoosh with the air moving. One can inlet the hinges and latches into the case proper which gives a nice touch. Be sure to align (time) all of the screws too, gives one a sense of pride of craftsmanship..........or just satisfies the need.

Rick W.

John Sabato · 10-30-2017, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick W.

Rich,

You might consider what the Automag guys think of the oem Styrofoam inserts in their factory cases. Styrofoam deteriorates over time and has some side effects to the metal; at least in the automag world...

Rick W.

Amen to that Rick. I owned one of the early guns. I eventually sold my .44 Automag to a forum member, but a couple of years before that, I opened the original plastic case that came with it and found the "sponge" interior all melted and it decayed before my very eyes. I will never again store a gun in a case that has any kind of plastic, Styrofoam, or artificial sponge foam interior... If the gun had not been stainless steel, I am sure the finish would have been ruined.

Rick W. · 10-30-2017, 10:41 AM

Sadly I have seen a couple of TDE automags long time stored in the original case with the black interior of foam like material. The finish was eaten down about 20 thousandths. Yeah, was not a 2 line North Hollywood, but still a fairly rare item; and fine shooters when tuned.

Just passing on what I saw over the years. If one goes thru the trouble of making a case, surely should be a safe haven for the firearm.

10-28-2017, 09:56 PM	#1
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,356 Times in 2,041 Posts	Styrofoam "saws" well, use a coarse hack saw blade. It also cuts with a very sharp, thin blade knife; but it makes a big mess and will keep on making a mess, I would not use it. Look into ready made "equipment" cases for photographic equipment. It usually comes full of closed cell soft, but firm foam that is easy to cut. Ebay has lots of them. Try a search for "aluminum hard case"; like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/C402-Alumin...oAAOSwg0BZzso2 You can always line the hardwood cut outs with felt strips. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

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10-29-2017, 09:20 AM	#2
Rick W. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 339 Thanks: 81 Thanked 359 Times in 198 Posts	Rich, You might consider what the Automag guys think of the oem Styrofoam inserts in their factory cases. Styrofoam deteriorates over time and has some side effects to the metal; at least in the automag world. In my homebrew cases I used the French style insert. I have not made an English case yet. I used cheapo clear pine cutout(all one piece) to the pieces of the day to be presented. I used wool felt, over the cutout frame, to cushion the parts. If I needed elevation on some areas, more pine covered with felt. Then felt over the whole works in one piece stretched to get the wrinkles out. An old friend in Berlin sent me some pool table felt one time, it was nice grade stuff. All of my cases were made from red oak or poplar(figured) from scratch in available dimensional lumber. I did put in a finger joint in each corner, and utilized a dust shield around the interior perimeter. When the case shuts, it goes whoosh with the air moving. One can inlet the hinges and latches into the case proper which gives a nice touch. Be sure to align (time) all of the screws too, gives one a sense of pride of craftsmanship..........or just satisfies the need. Rick W.

10-30-2017, 10:41 AM	#4
Rick W. User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 339 Thanks: 81 Thanked 359 Times in 198 Posts	Sadly I have seen a couple of TDE automags long time stored in the original case with the black interior of foam like material. The finish was eaten down about 20 thousandths. Yeah, was not a 2 line North Hollywood, but still a fairly rare item; and fine shooters when tuned. Just passing on what I saw over the years. If one goes thru the trouble of making a case, surely should be a safe haven for the firearm.