Winter project - traveling prop change kit

[SilentSeven]

Always wanted a good traveling prop kit. Requirements were:

- single kit that has everything
- hardsided unit to protect the prop
- needs to fit in the aft underseat storage area in our 2018 Honda pilot. Don't want to keep this in the boat.

The recent expansion of options within contractor 'packout' systems provided the inspiration. Turns out the $30 Rigid unit will both fit the prop (Acme 422) and just fit in the car's storage compartment. Other boxes (DeWalt, Milwaukee) were just a tad too tall. A little custom foam work and it's perfect - prop, puller and a side tray with pins, spare key and wrenches.

[MN Ryan]

Very nice! Did you buy the foam or repurpose it from elsewhere? Thanks for the inspiration.

That reminds me that I need to drop a prop off at the Prop Doctor.

[SilentSeven]

The foam is precut for this pack out box. You then just cut out custom spaces for your tools/stuff. It's really cool....lots of YouTubes on how to do it.

Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

[MN Ryan]

Oh, nice. Off to Home Depot!

[bturner]

Is this the one you used?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-2...551X3ZuE1HFZ6A

[SilentSeven]

Yup. If you're using a prop bigger in diameter than a 422 (12.5"), ain't gonna fit.

[MN Ryan]

I'll be the guy lugging a prop around Home Depot.

[Scooter G]

Very cool, I like it!
I think I'm going to need a bigger box, lol.
See it's funny because it's sort of a Jaws reference, and then I hear my Wife's voice in my head saying, "If you have to explain why it's funny, then it's not".
I'll be quite now, I think the Winter is getting to me...

[SilentSeven]

FYI - it's hard to get pre-cut foam for the Rigid box. My HD didn't stock any foam inserts for any packout box. It was all orderable online.

I found two options. Order this DeWalt foam and cut it to fit (https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-T...8121/315040429) or order a pre-cut kit from these guys (https://www.kaizensource.com/?produc...kaizen-inserts). I went with option 1 as I didn't see option 2 until later.

I also trimmed the inside of my box a bit with an oscillating multitool. Not required but helpful to simplify the foam trimming. I'll add some pictures in a day or so.

[MN Ryan]

I took a trip to the HD. That Rigid box will not fit my prop, and I wasn't thrilled with their other options. I did a little sleuthing and found some people using the Apache weatherproof protective cases from Harbor Freight. It looks like the 4800 size will fit my props (I think I have a 14" and a 14.5"). It's a little pricier than that Rigid box, but you can usually use a coupon, and it comes with foam. It probably would not fit under the seat of a Pilot, though (not a criteria for me).

I think I will bring a prop along to the store to make sure it'll work.

https://www.harborfreight.com/4800-w...ack-64250.html

[SilentSeven]

Cool. Looks like a good solution.

There's a lot of hard cases out there these days and as you noted - you just have to 'interview' a lot of them to find one that works for your size prop. What made my situation a little special was that I need a very space specific solution.

[Scooter G]

That Apache case looks pretty legit. Let us know if you go that direction for a 14.5" MN Ryan.

[SilentSeven]

A few more detailed pics.....



303 bottle for size



Hacky home foam cut job. Trace the prop, cut with a sharp utility knife and a big kitchen knife for the deeper areas.Used a hole saw for the center section. Looks less than great with the prop out. But holds the prop really well.

You can 'mend' the loose edges with a little careful heat gun work.



Key field HF grade tools and a few bit repair parts in the side pocket. Have a few more emergency parts I plan to add to side pocket.

[MN Ryan]

Nice! I picked up the Apache case the other day but haven't gotten any further with the project.

[SilentSeven]

Curious what type of foam they provide. The structured multi-layered poly foam is what you want. Stuff like this...lots of suppliers.

https://www.amazon.com/Fastcap-Kaize...007J2JJYK?th=1