Track Cases?

[duburban]

Anyone have some leads on DIY track cases? A hard case is becoming a must for how much money I have in these things.

I need to carry at one time

75"
55"
55"
42"
42"

Parallel Guides? Festool and/or Seneca.

 

[peter halle]

Unfortunately there isn't a case available here specifically designed for the tracks and accessories.  I have been toying with the idea of producing one (soft sided and padded) for a couple of years but obviously have had to refocus attention elsewhere.

The 75" length will the hardest to find.  For the shorter sizes you might be able to use a full size keyboard case or even a gun case.  I am not a skier, but I believe some have used ski cases? or snowboard cases?

I am sure others will chime in here.

Peter

 

[thedude306]

why not the Mafell track case?  Available in NA (unlike the bosch) and will hold 4-6 1600mm rails. 

IMG_4205 by thedude306, on Flickr

 

[tallgrass]

is this not a case(no pun intended) for only hard cases? the rails are somewhat fragile,when it comes do bending. making hard cases of 1/2 baltic birch is what i have done. soft cases while lite don't really provide any protection except for scratch resistance, while nice, not what i fear.

 

[waho6o9]

I use the case the rail came in.

 

[thedude306]

I forgot about the vulnerability of the fragile festool tracks. ;-)  I would think even having them in a bag, all together, would help with damage.  It's not like you are going to throw the bag around.  I find keeping my tracks together in a "home" of sorts helps. 

Your only other option would be a wood case as suggested or perhaps a pelican case of sufficient length.

 

[Staniam]

is this not a case(no pun intended) for only hard cases? the rails are somewhat fragile,when it comes do bending. making hard cases of 1/2 baltic birch is what i have done. soft cases while lite don't really provide any protection except for scratch resistance, while nice, not what i fear.

Would you mind posting some pics of the case you made?

 

[tallgrass]

sure ill give it a try. it is a white birch ata road case. Using that manner of hinging and latches. Anvil and others make them, i made my own using readily available hardware and supplies.  i'll try to get some picks up when i get home. in the mean time, do a search for ata cases and imagine  it looking like a 3"tX12"wX72l" white ata case

 

[wow]

I noticed that the keyboard cases are available with end- or side- openings. If you had a choice, which would be your preference and why?

 

[duburban]

Rigid is key, so no soft cases for me anyhow.

I do think that road case construction is the way to go. Most of them have a seam mid height in the box for enough room for the gear case latches to mount to. 1/2" ply is what I'm thinking too unless theres a good place to skin something with 1/4".

I'm surprised this isn't more common. I'd like to have the tracks hang out with the other junk in the back and not feel like I'm putting huge money out to dry.

 

[overanalyze]

I made a quick one out of 1/2" ply. I lined the inside with stryofoam. I hardly use it now. We have a permanent spot the tracks are stored in our van. We will use the case when we travel for work and don't take our vehicle.

 

[RJNeal]

I made a hard case out of 1/4" ply and 3/4" stock for the edge. My case holds 42",55",&75" one of each. They are stored separate as long as the top stays on top. I will post pictures on Monday due to they are at the job site.

A major concern is the weight of these three rails, I was thinking about a handle to carry as a suit case, but decided that might be a pain to carry. Two handles would be a pain. Still thinking about it.
Rick

 

[duburban]

I made a quick one out of 1/2" ply. I lined the inside with stryofoam. I hardly use it now. We have a permanent spot the tracks are stored in our van. We will use the case when we travel for work and don't take our vehicle.

This is cracking me up. Travel for work but don't take your vehicle? Like you guys gotta walk to work sometimes? Bus, subway, taxi?

 

[overanalyze]

I made a quick one out of 1/2" ply. I lined the inside with stryofoam. I hardly use it now. We have a permanent spot the tracks are stored in our van. We will use the case when we travel for work and don't take our vehicle.

This is cracking me up. Travel for work but don't take your vehicle? Like you guys gotta walk to work sometimes? Bus, subway, taxi?

Lol...no @duburban ! We do work for a large company that has us going to different states. That company has their own vehicles. When we work for them we take their vehicles and our own tools. Then the case gets used. We work for this company a few times a year.

 

[RJNeal]

Here are the pictures of my case. The 42 is on the bottom. It is locked in from sliding with two blocks that are tall than the rail. The 55 sit on those blocks. The 55 lock blocks supports the 75 rail.
I when with the hidden hinges to protect surfaces from scratches. Window sash locks keep it close.
Hope this helps.
Rick

 

[duburban]

totally simply, i really like it. I was trying to design something that opened from a narrow side so you choose which rail you wanted to take out. overly complicated by the time you get the latch hardware mounted on the wide flat side and it won't slide around easy.

 

[RJNeal]

Thanks Duburban,
Sometimes I'll leave the 75 out and will place a space block to keep the other in there place.
R

 

[peter halle]

Overanalyze and RJNeil - great cases!  Gave me some ideas for a hard case.

Peter

 

[duburban]

I think the key is to make these things stay straight. I'm curious if metal L or flat stock would be the key for longer rails. A while ago I tried a case out of pine but it warped on the saw horses and I ended up burning it.

 

[Blackberry]

Mine looks much like that of RJNeal.  It's made of maple and tempered hardboard, complete with window locks, and a piano hinge.  It does it's job, protects two rails during transportation.