Need assistance finding a part...

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#1

Hello,

I have introduced myself in the introductions section and in it, I have described how I wish to pursue making parts for my wife’s Mazda MX-5.

However, after speaking with a good friend of mine who is a Violinist, I was asked how hard a Violin case would be to make. Looking at his current violin case, being basically a 30" x 10" x 6" elongated cube with rounded corners, I said I thought it would be fairly simple. Immediately he offered to pay me a reasonable amount of cash for this project.

Remember I have never made a single carbon fiber part in my life, though I cannot imagine a top and a bottom being very difficult to produce. Even if I fail 2 or 3 times, I am being paid for my learning… Not a bad deal I would say.

Now to my problem. I have found everything I need to make this case; hinges, latches, handle (I am contemplating making a handle though), breather valve for air flights, foam, valuer, memory foam for soft padding and silk over that, etc…

The one piece I cannot find is the seal. I have looked at dozens of fiberglass, ABS, and even some carbon fiber cases online, and they all have the same trim seal to make the box air tight regardless of manufacture. I have to assume this is some standard for sealing these type of boxes. However, I cannot for the life of me figure out the term to search for. I tried valence, extrusion, trim, molding and many others I cannot remember.

I figure as this is a forum dedicated to people who make composite items, someone has had to make an equipment case that needed to seal properly and may be able to assist me.

Thanks in advance guys.

#2

Seal or weather seal might help you.:). Good luck with the project , I still think to get a nice looking case will be a challenge for you first time.
For $1000 there are some very very nice carbon cases out there , easy to spend that playing around. But I guess if you look at it as a learning all good.

Tim

#3

Oh, I know it will take some trial and error to get it right. My point was it being a mostly flat surface with no micro detail, it actually seems to be an ideal beginner project.

Well that is until I ran into the issue of not being able to find the weather seal part…

#4

this is a pelican case seal… looks like they mold it into the part and use an oring. I think if you go this route, which probably is a good way to do it, then it’s a little more complicated but, should be do able.

From the looks of some of the other cases, it seems like they use a rubber piece that looks like a weather strip… You already have a supplier to these rubber seals? THey should be standard stuff I would think?

would be a cool project.

#5

Trim Lok has a wide variety of seals. They supply a lot of OEMs in different fields.

#6

Thanks guys, I will contact TrimLoc tomorrow. I really appreciate all of your assistance.

#7

I’d be interested to see how this turns out. I’ve had a carbon fiber cello case for the past 10 years or so. I don’t play anymore but wa always thinking of making my own case.

#8

The weather stripping on that Bobelock is exactly what I am looking for (though a little thinner as Bobelock case’s are made of wood and like 2/5 inch thick. I called TrimLok and the lady told me they do not do anything like that and if it isn’t on their website they do not make it…

Ok, no problem. Still leaves me back at square one. I have found quite a few aluminium extrusions for “Flight Cases” the wooden square ones you see bands put their gear in. But 1) it is not well suited for a rounded corner like I am attempting to make (see the Bobelock picture above), and 2) they again are made to attach to a thick wooden box.

I certainly did not anticipate this being the problem. I have already designed a new bow holder as the Violinist seem to hate the current ones on the market. I thought that would be the biggest problem. Goes to show, sometimes the simplest things are the things that cause you the most issues.

I am hoping someone who has made a weather tight fiberglass, or carbon fiber case will see this and chime in for me. At this point I am at a complete loss and have run out of things to search for. As I have seen literally hundreds of cases with this type of seal (see Bobelock again), This part has to have a very specific and common name. I would assume they would come in a variety of sizes. Hell, if I could just find it as small as 1/4 inch I could adapt my size. Unfortunately, I have not found it in any size yet.

-Ray

#9

Try looking up P-shape seal. Its bonded on and could form the curve you are looking for.

#10

Are you doing a notch and groove system like your pelican case example or a stand alone seal strip making contact when closed?

Also look up D shape weather strip. That would work.

Hope this helps!