Wooden Microphone Boxes

[MHanson]

Thank you everyone for your support and replies.

These are traveling microphones. I have pelican cases for them. I was just wanting to get them into their own boxes and out of the pluck stuff in the pelican case. I almost replaced the pluck stuff by building new foam from My Case Builder but thought I should look for boxes first. I may still customize things down the road after finding good boxes for everything. ie, consolidating multiple microphones, PS's, and cables into one case, but right now this is the direction I am going. If these microphones stayed in my studio all the time, this would not be an issue.

Again, thank you everyone!

All my best,
Michael

 

[MicMaven]

These are some of my mics in various size zippered storage cases.

Follow Up Comment about Microphone Storage Cases . . .

I recently acquired this two-piece, telescoping, translucent plastic tube that expands to accommodate the length of a microphone. It is, essentially, a larger version of plastic tubes some folks use to store fancy pens. The photos depict a couple of microphones inside the tube, one with a pack of silica gel. The translucent plastic gives the impression the photos are out of focus. Not perfect for every microphone, but I am well pleased they will protect their contents well enough, and the price seems right. Found on eBay.com with search string: "transparent plastic pencil cases holder" and they are approximately 25.5 cm long x 5.5 cm diameter.
Cost = $3.02 US (including shipping.)

Happy trails Mic Mavens. / James

 

[Spiritworks]

Follow Up Comment about Microphone Storage Cases . . .

I recently acquired this two-piece, telescoping, translucent plastic tube that expands to accommodate the length of a microphone. It is, essentially, a larger version of plastic tubes some folks use to store fancy pens. The photos depict a couple of microphones inside the tube, one with a pack of silica gel. The translucent plastic gives the impression the photos are out of focus. Not perfect for every microphone, but I am well pleased they will protect their contents well enough, and the price seems right. Found on eBay.com with search string: "transparent plastic pencil cases holder" and they are approximately 25.5 cm long x 5.5 cm diameter.
Cost = $3.02 US (including shipping.)

Happy trails Mic Mavens. / James

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The large wood boring, "nail eater" drill bits that I buy for my electrical contracting business come in very similar plastic sleeves to those shown here, although none would be wide enough for most microphones. I like the idea that they can be twisted into different locking lengths

 

[VanguardAudioLabs]

Those are really clever, good find! If they are sealed well enough would definitely recommend the silica gel packet inside.

 

[Rusan]

Great idea! Being a machinist, I've seen these things for decades, as various large machining cutters are commonly supplied in them, but I never thought of using one for mic storage. Brilliant!

 

[MicMaven]

Those are really clever, good find! If they are sealed well enough would definitely recommend the silica gel packet inside.

Good Point. The tubes do not seal completely - definitely not like an old peanut butter, pickle or Mason jar can form a good air seal. Consequently, the silica gel packs work best if one applies an appropriate type tape over the gap between the top of the outer tube and the inner tube. My young bride brings me boatloads of gel packs home from her store, so I toss them all over the place for good measure. Sealing these tubes would certainly improve their efficacy. // James

 

[Rob Flinn]

If you search for wooden box at Aliexpress there are quite a few options for not a lot of money, but not many that are long enough for a C12

 

[micolas]

Follow Up Comment about Microphone Storage Cases . . .

I recently acquired this two-piece, telescoping, translucent plastic tube that expands to accommodate the length of a microphone. It is, essentially, a larger version of plastic tubes some folks use to store fancy pens. The photos depict a couple of microphones inside the tube, one with a pack of silica gel. The translucent plastic gives the impression the photos are out of focus. Not perfect for every microphone, but I am well pleased they will protect their contents well enough, and the price seems right. Found on eBay.com with search string: "transparent plastic pencil cases holder" and they are approximately 25.5 cm long x 5.5 cm diameter.
Cost = $3.02 US (including shipping.)

Happy trails Mic Mavens. / James

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Interesting and cheap solution
Thank you!

 

[neowalla]

I needed a case for a theremin project I built back in October. I was going to hack something together myself, but looked at Amazon and for the price, it wasn't worth my time to build one from scratch. These are unfinished but I just used up some lacquer I had left over from a guitar project.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0C3VMJ29L...&s=kitchen&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

 

[MDFEREDAY]

I don’t disagree that 400 bucks is not cheap, but it’s a retail product from a company that sells $10k microphones. Maybe there is a company in Shenzen making nice wooden boxes for mics?

Retail pricing is what it is, but I know a few wood shops in LA that would certainly charge a few hundred to make a custom wood box with lining, hinge and clasp.

I personally use harbor freight “pelican” style cases for many of my mics, but I do like wood ones, too, when they are avail.

Maybe Warm or Mic-parts or Mxl can get a low price in boxes?

Chinese link
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...f7BvBpUA&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:

shipping more than cost though....

 

[micolas]

Chinese link
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007924725314.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.699dIui5Iui5EJ&algo_pvid=37ad51d4-f07c-418a-b7d3-ca0537a1085d&algo_exp_id=37ad51d4-f07c-418a-b7d3-ca0537a1085d-0&pdp_ext_f={"order":"20","eval":"1"}&pdp_npi=4@dis!GBP!13.25!6.89!!!16.58!8.62!@211b61d017414393637354652ede0d!12000042867696723!sea!UK!5728491!X&curPageLogUid=98wIf7BvBpUA&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:

shipping more than cost though....

Looks great.
We are waiting for a price reduction.

 

[Delta Sigma]

I bought this one but had to trim the foam for an HT11 C12 body. Not very impressed with it.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006213533913.html

 

[micolas]

I bought this one but had to trim the foam for an HT11 C12 body. Not very impressed with it.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006213533913.html

Well, It's not exactly my Neumann case, but the important thing is that it protects the microphone.
I couldn't have built it for that kind of price

 

[MicMaven]

Further concerning storage of microphones . . .

I recently acquired a pair of what I call "microphone cozies" (storage wraps) to protect hand held performance style microphones. Purchased on eBay for around $5 US each, they are made from a heavy quilted material outside, with a smooth nylon or polyester lining, and a zipper closure at one end. They appear well made and provide good padding/protection. They are approximately 26mm /10 inches long and accommodate both regular length and longer wireless microphones, leaving approximately 1-1.5 inches (25-38 mm) empty space covering a typical length wired microphone. Photos depict the actual item I received taken in my ersatz home photo "studio." I am very pleased with these mic covers. (Microphone NOT included ...) / James /

 

[kags]

Chinese link
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007924725314.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.699dIui5Iui5EJ&algo_pvid=37ad51d4-f07c-418a-b7d3-ca0537a1085d&algo_exp_id=37ad51d4-f07c-418a-b7d3-ca0537a1085d-0&pdp_ext_f={"order":"20","eval":"1"}&pdp_npi=4@dis!GBP!13.25!6.89!!!16.58!8.62!@211b61d017414393637354652ede0d!12000042867696723!sea!UK!5728491!X&curPageLogUid=98wIf7BvBpUA&utparam-url=scene:search|query_from:

shipping more than cost though....

Did anyone notice the reviews of this product? It looks like maybe B unusable stock merch that are being sold off cheaply.

 

[Jarno]

Maybe more of a woodworking diy project than folks are interested in, but I made a bunch of boxes using a simplified version of this jig:
https://www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/finger-joint-jig/

Route a groove top and bottom for lid and bottom, and route the fingers, bit of glue, and presto. Sliding lid is easy enough to do, if you want a lock and hinges you'll have to cut off the lid and fit the hinges.

 

[MicMaven]

Maybe more of a woodworking diy project than folks are interested in, but I made a bunch of boxes using a simplified version of this jig:

Well ... um ... I agree that IS more project than I want this week. While I enjoy that heady sense of self-satisfaction that comes from a successful home brewed project, it must make practical and economic sense.

Let's consider the total cost of production. For one, wood is getting expensive. For two, that finger joint jig project requires a $20 router bit, a $150 router, a mini-trac thing for unknown cost (which is unbobtanium on Amazon.com today) and lots of other expensive workshop equipment - not to mention the the time and materials required to make the jig, and then the box later on - to home brew a $10 cigar box. Hmmm ... such ad deal, eh!

While I DO enjoy wood-working projects in my ersatz home workshop, I cannot make this sort of thing for less than $10, so I go right to surrender and buy online. Consider this option on AliExpress.com for under $10:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807738410562.html

NEVERTHELESS, and I am serious, I would love to see what you made with your jig !! Really, especially if you added a nice finish to it. Thanks - James

 

[Jarno]

Everybody should have at least one router and follower bit, as well as a bunch of scraps in his shed
At least, I did not buy anything to start making box joints.
As for the material, a 2 meter length of 9mm thick meranti (3/8" or so) 140mm wide (5 and 3/4") is about 20 euros, and one can make about 3 boxes out of that length, obviously, you need a top and bottom, I use 1/8" hardwood ply, a quarter sheet is about 5 euros.

Still though, definitely a project in itself. And yes, it's not going to be less than 10usd, but it is solid hardwood, rather than MDF, and box joints/finger joints are VERY sturdy.
Whenever I have a kit of tools, or a bunch of stuff I want to keep together, I make a wooden box for it, rather than depending on a deteriorating single use cardboard box. And especially when I once more have some routine in it (it's cold here, so I haven't done much woodworking last 4 months), it doesn't take that long, but the first one certainly will not be quick
But to each their own, certainly that buying/making balance is different for each and everyone of us.

 

[MicMaven]

Whenever I have a kit of tools, or a bunch of stuff I want to keep together, I make a wooden box for it, rather than depending on a deteriorating single use cardboard box.

Yes sir. Much better and much more durable.

As you, I make boxes for stuff, like the simple, ugly, but very useful and custom cut box for holding software discs in my parts cupboards. I also build a "desk risers" (shelves) for equipment and accessories which adds a lot of space to a limited desktop. As you suggest, all of these are better than a beat up cardboard box! Not as nice as your stuff, but functional and one-off bespoke custom fit. (I have made some nice stuff, too... but mostly functional stuff for the ham shack.)

Otherwise, I am a big fan of various size plastic storage bins.