TubeNet

I'm going to build a foam filled, "fiberglassed" plywood case for my York monster this spring. My questions are: Where are the most important points of support? - and Where are the "do not touch" points?

Using my limited powers of observation and deduction I have figured out that the valves and their branches have to be "unweighted", but I'm not sure about how to best protect the bell area.

If I put wheels on the thing, should they be at the bottom branch or the bell end of the horn?

Any and all input (even smart a$$ sarcasm) will be appreciated. Well, actually I probably won't appreciate sarcasm, but the other readers will.

Dave

There are some of us engineer types who would like to see the heavy parts "held fast" and the lighter parts "float in air."

If I were making a case, I'd have the valveset heavily wedged since it's the densest part of the tuba; I'd have the bell not able to touch anything. In general, the more you can spread a force over a large area, as opposed to a pinpoint, the better the tuba will come out of any impact.

I received a flight case from a well-respected custom maker that I sent back because the only thing held securely was the bell, with the rest of the tuba able to swing like a pendulum. I thought that was a recipe for disaster and refused to use the case. I ate $300 on that deal and did not fly with the tuba.

A regular case that only goes in the car....I don't think it matters very much; form-fit dense foam rubber ought to work. I like the wheeled garbage can idea, myself.

MA

Check out this thread and good luck!

viewtopic.php?p=87285&highlight=#87285

A regular case that only goes in the car....I don't think it matters very much; form-fit dense foam rubber ought to work. I like the wheeled garbage can idea, myself.

Yeah- I read the old thread and decided to go this route- then discovered that discound store and local lumber big box store cans arent' big enough for the Monster bell + padding

Just to clarify, by "monster" you mean a York Monster E-Flat. Correct?

Yes, the Eb

Thanks for your detailed instructions. I was inspired by seeing my first plywood kayak. If the case works out well I'm going to try a boat to replace my plastic touring kayak. I already have the plywood and fiberglass and just want to get the padding concept right before I start cutting plywood. The cornering reminder for the wheels was an excellent addition. I probably would not have thought that one all the way through until it was too late.

Dave

Here is some info that you might find useful:

http://www.galvanizedjazz.com/tuba/BigConn.html

Talk to "Bloke" aka Joe. I have a York Monster Eb and I bought a new case from him that fit pretty well. I added some styrofoam around the bottom bow, a support under the main branches and covered them with "plush felt" from the local Hobby Lobby.

I also added wheels and a second handle. It's a great case. Very useful for normal use, but I don't think it would qualify as a "flight case."

I think he said that it was a "woodworker's supply" case, but I'm not sure.