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Subject: RE: carrying case?
From: Michael Hart
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Sat Jun 01 03:09:06 1996

>At 6:55 PM 5/31/96, Michael Hart wrote:
>...
>>I have a Meade case for my 12" that I have NEVER used. I usually
>>transport with a large 4" piece of foam rubber- quick and easier than
>>trying to get the scope in the case...

>Can you elaborate on that a bit, please? Do you just put it on the =
foam
>and use a seat belt on it?

>---
>Bill Arnett "Science is a way of trying
>San Jose, CA USA not to fool yourself." -- Feynman
>billa@zNet.com =
<URL:http://www.seds.org/billa/>

Yes, I use the 4" foam, obtained from a fabric store, in the back seat =
with seatbelt and in the trunk. With the Meade case, I found it time =
consuming to remove various accessories, then position the scope in a =
particular orientation and finally get the case closed. At star =
parties, I've noticed others with the same problems. When you get home, =
you have to OPEN the case to allow moisture to evaporate, which takes =
awhile unless you remove the scope to allow good air circulation. After =
struggling with a Celestron hard shell case, a buddy of mine now uses =
the foam. If your scope is in the back seat, by the time your home, all =
moisture is evaporated.

With the 4" foam, use a hand saw to make large cuts. If you want to be =
MUCH more elaborate, use a serrated knife or hobby saw for balsa wood to =
shape pieces. Use a medium temperature hot glue gun to secure the =
pieces to each other. Then, if you like, put you finished work in a =
small trunk and hot glue black, short nap fur over everything. Use =
Styrofoam (available as insulation at lumber yards) for areas where =
stiffness is needed. Another time I have used a plastic garbage bag, =
filled it with about 5" of TWO part shipping urethane foam, put the bag =
in a trunk, then quickly set the scope in. The shipping foam is not =
readily available (requires special equipment). The foam in cans used =
to insulate doors and windows requires air to cure, while the 2 part =
foam uses chemical reaction to cure which works with a plastic bag.

As for my comments on waiting a year or more, they are based on my =
experience in building a case for my 6" F/4. Here I needed a case as I =
intended to keep the scope in the trunk along with suitcases during =
vacation travel. As I added things to the scope, I had to keep =
modifying the case to hold the new things.

The bottom line is I don't USE the Meade 12" case. I anticipate using =
the case only in shipping to Meade or to someone I may sell the scope =
to. I have spent the time saved using and modifying the Meade 12" case =
to customize two large camera cases. Here, I store cameras, CCD eqpt, =
charts, LX-200 cables, LX-200 bolts, LX-200 hand controller and the =
like.

Michael Hart
mhart@netexpress.net