renegadecow Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 I'm planning on building a proper, vintage looking carrying case for my shooting irons, loosing favor in my old method of stuffing them in individual gun sacks and tossing in my duffel bag. I just need something with more class. Now, the exterior construction I'm just about familiar with, just not decided on hardwood or leather/vinyl cladded. The interior however is where I'm having real trouble figuring out. Traditional cases have compartments separated by rigid sections all covered in felt as shown below: I've never actually seen one up close so I can't tell exactly what the dividers are made, how they're attached and how the felt is cut. Are the sections separate pieces covered in their own sections of felt or are the sections built in the box first then painstakingly covered with some complex cut/patterned sheet of felt? Failing that I could copy TMs method of fancy packaging; styrene cutout covered with some fancy velvety cloth. Much easier to do, and more secure than box compartments, but I imagine the cloth with start looking sloppy with all the compartments it has to fold into. Right now I'm planning for the case to hold three revolvers, a Derringer and replica vintage box of cartridges in a corner. Link to post Share on other sites
Danke Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 It's all hand cut felt. Dividers are wood. All period materials. Ah the good old days. Link to post Share on other sites
tquilha Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 RC, on the picture you posted looks like individual dividers with separate pieces of felt over each one. Something a little simpler would be like this: Build the shape of you gun, and put felt all over, contouring only where needed. Link to post Share on other sites
renegadecow Posted September 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 First time I've seen something like that actually, like a cross between what TM does and the use of felt for traditional methods. I'll keep it in mind, thanks. @Danke The dividers, I assume they're just nailed to the under side of the case then? Link to post Share on other sites
Danke Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Glue; too thin for nails. The only metal inside should be the pistol so no scratches. If you want to be really authentic boil up some glue from hooves. Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Andrews Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 I would think the dividers would be pinned as well as glued. Drill the dividers first with a 1mm drill and use 4mm minimum for dividers Use hard brass wire if possible, as it won't rust if the box gets wet or damp. The best brass wire is called 'pin wire' and is used by watchmakers. It comes in a slim tube with either an assortment or a single size. Leave about 6mm protruding from divider, the use the divider to mark the the felt covered bottom board. Hotels often use felt as a covering for tables at meetings and is usually only used once then thrown away. Link to post Share on other sites
mightyjebus Posted September 29, 2013 Report Share Posted September 29, 2013 the slats would be recessed into the bottom. You can do this with a router. Once covered in felt the slats would have been glued into the recess. Modern wood glue is stronger than the wood it's being used to bond. The felt can be applied by using contact adhesive (apply to both wood and felt, wait 10 minutes then attach). The picture you show above has 3 brass hinges but a lot of cases would have used a full length piano hinge held in place with slotted brass screws. If you want that really special look then make the sides join using doveltail joints. You can buy a jig for that nowadays but doing it by hand will give the box an older look as it won't look machined. and lastly consider a brass mortise lock to keep it all secure. Link to post Share on other sites
renegadecow Posted September 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 Slotted, glued and pinned does sound like the proper way in doing it, but now seems like a daunting task considering I'm making it hold multiple guns. My thoughts are veering towards cutout styrene being easier, but I can make the hollows angular to give a similar effect to the traditional paneled version. Basically it would look like the paneled one but the areas that don't hold anything will be covered up with felt. Exterior, I'd need to use good hardwood to make it look good. A bit costly so I'm leaning towards plywood construction with leather/vinyl covering: Link to post Share on other sites
shmook Posted September 30, 2013 Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 Leather covering all the way! I think they look far better Link to post Share on other sites
Inari Posted September 30, 2013 Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 Just build Leon's gun case and be done with it...you know you want to Link to post Share on other sites
Danke Posted September 30, 2013 Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 How about a leather roll/fold-up? Link to post Share on other sites
renegadecow Posted September 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 @Inari You mean the one for the AR or the giant lunch box? @Danke If I had long guns like Colonel Mortimer maybe. And a horse. I'm not all too fond of lever actions myself but I am working on a Sharps so in the future perhaps. Right now I'm happy with a small rigid case. Link to post Share on other sites
Danke Posted September 30, 2013 Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 Exactly if you're going for handy transport. For display the wood case is fine but for travel oiled leather is it. Link to post Share on other sites
judgeman Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 This might help. Link to post Share on other sites
hitmanNo2 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I always thought the gun roll in The Mummy was pretty badass. Link to post Share on other sites
ED-SKaR Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 My friend got me an old violin case recently It might need some better treatment, so I'll be following this thread. Link to post Share on other sites
tquilha Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 Totally awesome would be this: Link to post Share on other sites
renegadecow Posted October 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 Got started in making my case. Adam's is cool, just a bit too big for just the one gun, but the construction is sound. I'm using 1/4" plywood, but being scrap some of it's warped and needs straightening first. edit: Regarding violin cases, I used to use mine way back, but learned to have guns properly secured either by ties or individual compartments. Consequence was my S&W M500's rear sight getting busted when the case was accidentally dropped off a table. Link to post Share on other sites
Phubar Posted October 13, 2013 Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 If I had the knowhow and spare time to dedicate to a project like this, it would be for a Castor Troy gun/drug ornamental case. Link to post Share on other sites
Inari Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 Leon's main gun case - the suitcase one. Everything you'll ever need, as well as space for two cartons of milk to attract jail bait These are the kind of projects that interest me, but I always wind up planning and never getting around to the building Link to post Share on other sites
judgeman Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 These are the kind of projects that interest me, but I always wind up planning and never getting around to the building Said every airsofter ever. You have to find time I think. A rather bad breakup with the missus and a job transfer that's left me with ample free time helped my desire to build. Gives me something to pour my anger and frustration into. But that's just my two cents in another mans thread. Link to post Share on other sites
hitmanNo2 Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 I got as far as the Chiclets with my V12 case heh. Link to post Share on other sites
renegadecow Posted October 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 While my plywood is left outside to straighten out for the next few days, here's what my intended layout is to look like. Case is 21" x 10 1/2" x 2 1/2". Box of cartridges still needs vintage labels and some yellowing. And do I use felt paper or felt cloth for the lining? edit: While I'm at it, I was thinking of doing a period riverboat/traveling gamblers case as well. Basically a case that opens up to a small Craps table with compartments for chips, dice, a deck of Pharo cards, a gun (probably Derringer) and a boot knife/one of my straight razors. No real purpose other than looking cool. Link to post Share on other sites
judgeman Posted October 14, 2013 Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 Felt cloth + spray adhesive? Link to post Share on other sites
renegadecow Posted October 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 I suppose cloth would provide some extra padding over paper. I could get a fairly thick not-sure-if-felt felt cloth used for stiffeners. And for progress, cut out the sides, glued and nailed. Top and bottom covers are still unattached. Link to post Share on other sites
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