Homemade wooden laptop case for rough roads
Mar 17, 2020 17:26:52 #
Opsafari
Loc: Roodepoort South Africa
I do travel a fair amount to the remote and arid parts of Southern Africa for weeks and need to take my laptop with me. The soft bag is not ideal as it does not protect the content as such and as there are limited hiding places for computer and camera gear inside a Land Rover Defender when parking at villages, I needed a strong carry case.
Do have one of those huge, thick and airtight cases but they are far to bulky! Had some plywood in the workshop and made this case. Designed it to accommodate the 15inch laptop, power cables and charger, portable drives and a bag for pens, cleaning equipment, mouse etc.
I am very happy with the final product as it is quite strong as I stood on it to test it if it can hold me if I need a little bit of height to take a photo! The handle is from the original soft bag which I had to retire due to faulty zippers. Although it has about 5 layers of varnish (looks very nice) I do realize there will be scratches due to the rough trails of arid parts of Namibia and Botswana which I don’t mind at all. Was built to protect content after all. It’s slightly heavier than a thick plastic or aluminum flight case and I could not find a suitable locking system. Can lock the Land Rover! Hope fellow over-landers like my idea!
Do have one of those huge, thick and airtight cases but they are far to bulky! Had some plywood in the workshop and made this case. Designed it to accommodate the 15inch laptop, power cables and charger, portable drives and a bag for pens, cleaning equipment, mouse etc.
I am very happy with the final product as it is quite strong as I stood on it to test it if it can hold me if I need a little bit of height to take a photo! The handle is from the original soft bag which I had to retire due to faulty zippers. Although it has about 5 layers of varnish (looks very nice) I do realize there will be scratches due to the rough trails of arid parts of Namibia and Botswana which I don’t mind at all. Was built to protect content after all. It’s slightly heavier than a thick plastic or aluminum flight case and I could not find a suitable locking system. Can lock the Land Rover! Hope fellow over-landers like my idea!
Top view with handle and my engraving effort! "Oupa (Grand Dad) Landy (Land Rover)
The bottom of the case
Side bottom of the case. I used piano hinges.
Open lid reveals the laptop with straps.
Once the laptop is removed there is a board separating the laptop and the contents below.
Once the board is removed there are holding sections for other computer gear.
Mar 17, 2020 17:35:27 #
Mar 17, 2020 17:43:02 #
Mar 17, 2020 17:56:24 #
Mar 17, 2020 19:06:52 #
Very nice box but I wouldn't take it out of the house. I would much rather use to store things and keep it in the house.
Mar 17, 2020 19:14:49 #
Mar 18, 2020 07:39:09 #
Mar 18, 2020 09:28:02 #
Mar 18, 2020 12:27:25 #
Mar 18, 2020 12:36:44 #
fjdarling
Loc: Mesa, Arizona, USA
Nice job! You will be glad you used a piano hinge - they are very strong for their weight. If I may be so bold, I'd like to suggest you add a washer under each of the screws that attach the handle. They won't look nice, but they will prevent the handle material from splitting around the screw heads. Just a thought.
Mar 22, 2020 15:33:45 #
Opsafari
Loc: Roodepoort South Africa
fjdarling wrote:
Nice job! You will be glad you used a piano hinge - they are very strong for their weight. If I may be so bold, I'd like to suggest you add a washer under each of the screws that attach the handle. They won't look nice, but they will prevent the handle material from splitting around the screw heads. Just a thought.
Thank you for that advice regarding the washer, will certainly do it!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.