Aluminium Cases

[KeithinFrance]

Which leatherette case is it you're interested in, the extra-wide one with the zip, or another?

[RGCirencester]

Yeh the zip one. Its stronger than the zip you get on most things and looks quite stylish. Plus its lighter and slightly smaller to carry. Even if it lasts less than the aluminium ones i think the weight might be a better choice.

[KeithinFrance]

Yeah, it's a good case, only problem is with the zip, which can snag and if it breaks, then you're ... well, you know! Just be sure that the cut-out shapes inside are ok for what you'll carry. Personally, didn't like the handles, felt like a briefcase!

[philip1988]

hey i just ordered a new trevor white cue and am looking at getting a new case was looking at the cue craft allumiun case or this case i found on the web any advice?

http://www.customsnooker.co.uk/ireland-case-p-302.html

[poona]

Those look ok. Zebra one is nice.

[KeithinFrance]

hey i just ordered a new trevor white cue and am looking at getting a new case was looking at the cue craft allumiun case or this case i found on the web any advice?

http://www.customsnooker.co.uk/ireland-case-p-302.html

Given the look and the price, they must be leatherette, which is more "knock-resistant" and tougher than leather, but still not as strong as an aluminium case, as the leatherette is stretched over a wooden box, so basically it's a covered wooden case.

It's up to you. What is more important: protecting your cue as well as possible or protecting it from 80% of possible damage and looking good?!

[RGCirencester]

I know you all think im daft with my ideas.... but i have a new idea that i am very tempted by, that keith in particular will not appreciate I'm thinking of buying a wooden case and one of those pyrography heat pen things... then i can get an art student friend of mine to etch a picture into the top and i will have a one of a kind snooker cue case Unfortunately i have keiths voice going through my head...
"buy a proper case.. case... case.... case... case..."

[LavaChild]

Does anybody have any experience of how strong such a case would be? That's my own concern... I'd also be interested in what you believe the total cost would be, in order to evaluate it against other off-the-shelf products.

Otherwise, it sounds as though it would be very individual... Though of course such "arty" things are very much a matter of taste, so I think your "design" would have to be carefully thought out... As well as ensuring your friend would be able to make a good job of it.

Can you do a quick (Even in paint!) mock up of what kind of design you'd be after?

I guess the case does two things: Protects the cue and looks good. So long as your case covers both of these points to the level your happy with then it certainly sounds interesting.

Some of the cases you've looked at previously have been focussed too much on aesthetics than function, in my opinion, and I believe this is why you've received the response you have... Maybe this case will fair better; I look forward to reading others replies

[RGCirencester]

Total cost, the skies the limit. The case should not be expensive but the pygrography tools are where the money comes in. A basic pen will set you back about 15 pounds but it will not have variable heat so shading would be difficult, and the heat output may not be suitable for hard woods. Professional pens are about 150-200 pounds and there are many options in between. I asked my friend and she said shes always wanted to have a go and she has lts of wood to practice on, so i could buy her it for a birthday present
Theres a guy on ebay selling wooden cases his grandfather i think makes that go for about 25 inc shipping. The foam inside probably isnt the best which is actually the only thing putting me off. The handle is leather but it is not clear from the pics how it is attached, whether it is just a strip of leather stapled to the top, but handles are not hard to come by. You could also make a wooden case yourself which sounds quite fun however i do not have the tools here at uni. It would however be quite heavy.
As per the design, if you knew someone with experience it could be very good, but i was thinking just something like my name is fancy lettering and a pool ball or something would looks quite good and not require a high level of expertise.
Of course buying a "real" case is of course the better choice

[LavaChild]

Following from the details you've supplied I am very surprised you are considering this option. You appeared to be reluctant to spend ~£60 on a case initially and this seems as though it could easily cost much more - And in the end the quality could be worse as the majority of the money being spent is on pygrography tools rather than the case itself.

Likewise you mention in other threads how you'd "love" a "more expensive" cue... Spending this sort of money, on top of what you have paid for your cue (That is on order) I'd have thought you'd not be far off...

It seems to me, at least, like money is burning a hole in your pocket... If that's the case then great; It is your money after all. In my opinion, though, it seems you can get an off-the-shelf case of better quality (Of course, I assume!) that may well cost less to boot.

Overall it sounds like a nice idea, but costs put me off... Maybe one for in a few years if/when you've got more money to throw at such at a project?

Still, I'd be interested to read others opinions... Maybe somebody has another method that could product a similar effect without all of the expense.

[RGCirencester]

Yeah i know the sensible option is to buy a proper case, however i am considering just buying the case which would be around 20-30 pounds, purely because i really love wooden cases.
I could buy an inexpensive pyrography pen thing for my friend as a birthday present in april and if she got on with it i could ask her to try on the case then. That way the tools would not really be part of the case budget, as i will buy her something anyway.
I'm tempted to buy a metal case and in the holidays in april try annd make a wooden one as a fun project. My grandad used to be a carpenter so he has lots of tools in his garage still. B&W sell wooden cases but man are they expensive! Beautiful though. http://www.bandwbilliards.com/case_wooden.php

[LavaChild]

I'm tempted to buy a metal case and in the holidays in april try annd make a wooden one as a fun project.

If you do decide to follow your idea through, the above seems most sensible to me; At least then you'll have a good case that isn't dependant on somebody doing a job and risking your only case being ruined. Also, it would mean if it turns out that the case doesn't do a good job of actually protecting the cue, you've got a good case for that job anyway.

I think I'd still spend the same budget on the "good" cue as before, as the reason for the case remains the same - To protect the cue... No point in buying a cheaper case to allow a budget to get the wooden case too, if you risk ending up with two cases that are not quite up to the job.

[KeithinFrance]

Hey Rob,

Still trying to find another solution to my suggestion, huh? I like the wooden case idea, but the quality of the case is my concern. However, why not try it? Getting someone to etch designs on it to personalise it looks great, I know a guy here in France who did all that before, but man, the cases were heavy! You could also consider buying an alu case and getting it personalised, too, no?

If the sky's really the limit, there's a company making fibreglass cases which would be perfect: strong, light, durable, robust and you can paint on them very easily. I know the details are in TSF, something like fibrecaseuk, I think. Cases start at £135, I think.

Did you win the lottery or something? Lol

[RGCirencester]

No im still poor, im just full of ideas still looking at the 60 pound b&w cases as the "best" option, with wooden as my second choice. I just like wood... I think wooden cases look better than fibreglass metal and all the rest of em put together.

[KeithinFrance]

The only problem with wooden cases is that they're heavy. Have to be. However, they are beautiful if they're well-made. You also have to look after them by water-proofing them, but that's not really a problem.

Ali cases are lighter and easier to maintain IMO and you don't care if you bash a corner, but with a beautiful wooden or leather one, it's a different story!

At the end of the day, it's your choice.