TheSkySearchers

Does anyone have an idea for carrying CEM120?
It's not nice to carry it in one's lap due to screws and edges, and in stairs it's hard to see your steps.
I have tried to find a case or bag big and sturdy enough, but haven't find any yet.
The mount is roughly 51 cm x 43 cm x 24 cm or 20" x 17" x 9.5" and weights about 27 kg or 60 lbs.

I know some suitcases can take quite a lot of load, but I think, only inwards pressure from the outside. I'm not sure how they handle forces outwards from the inside.

I had the same dilemma when posting my CGX back to the supplier. I used a mile of bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard but Postman Pat still managed to smash the Dec motor housing cover. Then afterwards I found the original packaging in the loft! I would say that the original packaging is the only safe way of transporting a mount.

Regards

Graeme

Graeme1858 wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 8:50 pm I had the same dilemma when posting my CGX back to the supplier. I used a mile of bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard but Postman Pat still managed to smash the Dec motor housing cover. Then afterwards I found the original packaging in the loft! I would say that the original packaging is the only safe way of transporting a mount.

Regards

Graeme

In this case, the original packaging is worse than lap. The box is so big that you need to carry it with hands almost straightened. the base is 56 cm x 63 cm and height is 36 cm (22" x 25" x 14"), and it opens at the top.

I checked 2 bags and a tool box in two different shops. The bags wouldn't have taken the 27 kg. If I tried, I'd, probably, ended up with the mount and bag on the floor and, what'd be left of the handles in my hand. The toolbox was a bit wedge-like and far too small from the inner measures.

In the fourth shop I got this. FAR from optimal, but has to do for now. At least it has some kind of handles, and CEM120 fits in with some foam. Have to check if I could use some nylon straps as handles.

There is self expanding packaging foam, maybe that can replace the original packaging. A few packs just for the base.

The wheels and handle make it easier to carry it on a flat surface but harder on the stairs. Maybe you can slide it there.

SkyHiker wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 3:33 pm There is self expanding packaging foam, maybe that can replace the original packaging. A few packs just for the base.

The wheels and handle make it easier to carry it on a flat surface but harder on the stairs. Maybe you can slide it there.

The "foam" is really camping mattress.
and there are some kind of "handles" which makes it a bit easier to carry, but the size of the box makes it harder to carry.
That's why it's far from ideal. But it has to do until I find something better.

There are big enough hard cases too, but nowhere near. They need to be ordered (and waited for). They also add about 10 kg to the weight and cost small fortunes.

The alternative would be to make your own case.
Some 6mm or 8mm ply would likely do and add handles as required.

This is what I meant with the straps. Not really the solution, but rather a "proof of concept".
Sorry about the picture quality. I had problems to get the camera to co-operate with me.

Soon to be followed by man and container racing to the bottom of the staircase?

turboscrew wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 7:33 pm This is what I meant with the straps. Not really the solution, but rather a "proof of concept".
Sorry about the picture quality. I had problems to get the camera to co-operate with me.

Proof of concept, hmm... The straps make it hang down at knee height. When walking down the stairs you have to hold it in front of your knees or at least in front of the steps, you need Godzilla power for that. Alternatively if you strap the plain mount (no case) against your torso, either front or back, then you can walk down the stairs while having one hand on the rail. I used a judo belt for carrying my Z12 by making a loop and wrapping it around the Alt bearings and my back and shoulder, with the Z12 vertically against my chest. It worked well, it was close to the body, I could walk though doors and I had both hands free.

Darn! It's otherwise usable, but too wide in my staircase. I have to come up with something else.
The good thing is that I have other use for the toolbox. I have quite some bigger tools lying around in my garage.

Hmm. If I manage to make some room in my garage, the mount could "live" in the box in the garage for spring/summer/autumn. For winter it might be better to keep in in the house. The mount's specs say -10°C (14°F) to +40°C (104°F) operation temperature range, and it _can_ be even -35°C (-31°F) here in winter.

So I have some time to figure things out.

You might be able to rig up a dew heating strip inside your box to keep the mount warm enough in the garage.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Wed Apr 07, 2021 7:27 pm The alternative would be to make your own case.
Some 6mm or 8mm ply would likely do and add handles as required.

Now that I did some calculations, not a bad idea: I would weight probably less than 4.5 kg (10 lb).
The plywood (pine, 9 mm) alone would weight around 3.8 kg (8.3 lb).
Not to mention the price difference.
Still haven't figured it all out.

After seeing the image of the mount inside your case it looked as you could downsize by almost half by making a case.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Mon Apr 12, 2021 6:04 pm After seeing the image of the mount inside your case it looked as you could downsize by almost half by making a case.

Yes. That was the only big enough, that I found. There were some slimmer, but they weren't high enough.
I'm a bit worried, however, about how to get the seams of a plywood box strong enough without adding a lot of weight.
(No 2x4s inside as a frame. )

turboscrew wrote: ↑Mon Apr 12, 2021 9:31 pm

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Mon Apr 12, 2021 6:04 pm After seeing the image of the mount inside your case it looked as you could downsize by almost half by making a case.

Yes. That was the only big enough, that I found. There were some slimmer, but they weren't high enough.
I'm a bit worried, however, about how to get the seams of a plywood box strong enough without adding a lot of weight.
(No 2x4s inside as a frame. )

9 mm plywood is quite thin for nailing/screwing angle irons. Some very strong glue, perhaps, and L-shaped profile...

I have been thinking about Peli 1610 too...(446€ with foam).

You could use aluminium angle pieces on the outside seams for strength 1.6mm x 25mm (1/8"x 1")
It can be cut easily to length/ shape with a hacksaw and then you could either use screws or rivets to hold it in place.

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Tue Apr 13, 2021 5:10 am You could use aluminium angle pieces on the outside seams for strength 1.6mm x 25mm (1/8"x 1")
It can be cut easily to length/ shape with a hacksaw and then you could either use screws or rivets to hold it in place.

Hmm, rivets may not be good with plywood, and 9 mm is a bit thin for screws.
I think some glue might be better. Maybe it even seals the seams.

Got confirmation from a shop: Peli 1610 is too small, and the wheels and such take some room from the inside.
Kind of guessed...

turboscrew wrote: ↑Mon Apr 12, 2021 9:35 pm

turboscrew wrote: ↑Mon Apr 12, 2021 9:31 pm

Lady Fraktor wrote: ↑Mon Apr 12, 2021 6:04 pm After seeing the image of the mount inside your case it looked as you could downsize by almost half by making a case.

Yes. That was the only big enough, that I found. There were some slimmer, but they weren't high enough.
I'm a bit worried, however, about how to get the seams of a plywood box strong enough without adding a lot of weight.
(No 2x4s inside as a frame. )

9 mm plywood is quite thin for nailing/screwing angle irons. Some very strong glue, perhaps, and L-shaped profile...

I have been thinking about Peli 1610 too...(446€ with foam).

Actually 4 mm plywood will work fine if you fiberglass it on both sides and connect the seams with epoxy putty of the wood shavings.