OT: Ballistic case/luggage

I figured between all the cops and rightwing crazies (and everyone in between) this might be the right place to ask an OT question.
I'm probably flying back to Houston, first week in Feb. and I'll need to take the usal clothes with me, but also some cordless tools, my web273 dock, and some other various what nots with me.
The last time I did this, I got charged $115 each for 2 bags, because they were "overwieght". IT was just a mess.
I have two SAM guidance cases that I keep my tools in at home; composite with metal lips, rubber seals, and dog latches. They're friggin huge: 40"x28"x28" (or something close to it). I would like to find a ballistic type hard case/luggage about 1/2 that size, preferably with rollers (but not necissary). That way, I can jam all my crap in one case (accept my 29/carry on bag) and only have to pay 1 "over wieght" charge.

Where does one find/source such a case? Obviously I can get a pelican case for $450, but the other primary constraint is cost.

 

First: did you ever consider sending your stuff via bus line, rather than taking it with you on an aircraft?

Second: start here:

Pelican Cases

 

Well,

For surplus transport cases, you can google DRMS, follow the links to usable property for sale, pull down the tab for the state you live in or bases near you, and you'll find all sorts of cases, including used pelican cases that are surplus military. You can also go to govdeals.com, and find some of the same stuff there.

However you cheapest alternative would be to buy the tickets with and Amex or similar card that allows you free checked bags, and then split up the weight with one medium sized gate checked bag containing only your clothes, so TSA doesnt have a cow, and smooth sailing.

And oversized is as bad as overweight..

 

Dumb question as I haven't flown anywhere in almost 20 years, but what's the cost to ship the tools via usps priority flat rate box or UPS?
I worked as a UPS shipper for 2 years and for a lot less than $230.00 I can ship a HUGE box that weighs 70 lbs.

Shipping time is listed as 5 days.
69lbs is $61.30

35lbs is $38.01--------------$101.87 for 3 day select

These are residential prices. Commercial drop off site is cheaper. If your company has an UPS account you will save a lot more from these listed prices.

 

well.....
TC, thank you, but yes I did. "my" pelican case, 19x24x15.75 is $1100
Orphanir, those ideas are more of what I was thinking.
Shawn & TC, yes I could ship them, but I don't trust it. So I would pay $20-$35 to ship my tools (which I need while i'm home, too) and then I still have to check my regular weight/regular sized bag for $55.

Really, I just want to simplify it (overall, not just for the airport). I also have to move from hotel to hotel nightly, and moving 1 rolling case with all my crap in it is way better than 1 bag, 1 case, a book bag, and some loose tools. If I had 1 decent case,then all my chit could be put in there.

Thank you, all. I'll report back.

 

I just remembered mnementh posted that for the heavier tools, he buys em cheap at a local pawn shop and sells em back when he leaves the city.
Just another idea that I thought was clever.

 

Here's what I do, they don't weigh your free carry on bag. In my size compliant, non-ballistic, roller carry on I put:
2- Nikon D200 cameras and 3 lenses
1- Pentax Scope
2- Point and Shoot Panasonic Cameras
1- Battery charger for each camera (3)
1- Steiner Nighthunter 10x56 Binoculars
1- Brunton 7x40 Monocular
1- RRS Ball head for my tripod
1- IBM AC adapter for my Toughbooks
1- Lind DC adapter for above
1- 800w DC-AC inverter
1- Complete home brewed RAM mount for my CF-18 less PolyCarb back plate but including the double suction cup windshield mount.
1- CF-18 spare battery
1- CF-30 spare battery
1- Bag containing every possible connector cable, USB, etc.
And a bunch of small stuff I can't remember right now.
No one but I ever moves the bag so nothing gets broken. I've never weighed the bag, I guess somewhere around 60-70 pounds, its a bit of a umph to get it in the overhead compartment. The TSA, surprisingly, has never gone completely nuts although they usually open it for a look. In my "Briefcase/Laptop" bag I carry my CF-30 and CF-18 with the home brewed mounting plate attached.
So all the valuable, delicate stuff never leaves my sight and the soft goods plus my basalt tripod travels in the checked bag. If your airline doesn't give you a free checked bag, get another airline.
CAP
Understand, I'm going OTR for a month when I travel with this kit.

 

Pelican 1610-020-110 Large Black Case w/ Foam USA NEW - BIN $219.99; Shipping: FREE

Exterior Dimensions (L x W x D): 24.83-Inch x 19.69-Inch x 11.88-Inch (63 x 50 x 30.2 cm)
Interior Dimensions (L x W x D): 21.78-Inch x 16.69-Inch x 10.62-Inch (55.3 x 42.4 x 27 cm)
Lid Depth: 2.05-Inch (5.2 cm)
Bottom Depth: 8.57-Inch (21.8 cm)
Total Depth: 10.62-Inch (27 cm)
Weight with foam: 22.3 lbs. (10.12 kg)
Weight without foam: 19.5 lbs. (8.85 kg)
Buoyancy Max. 119.93 lbs. (54.4 kg)
Color: Black
Range Temperature: (-)40 / 210 F (-40 / 99 C)
No. of Wheels: 2

Based on my personal experience, I believe that more luggage is lost on airlines than USPS, UPS, FedEx and Greyhound combined.

 

Yep. I'm lookin all over the bay now. It's still a bit pricey, and I uderstand it's worth it....The 1620 is the size/type I need. The 1560 is too expensive for its capacity....

I thought ebay would be counterproductive, just because of the size/bulk/shipping....

 

clist is looking like a better option.
just found a 1650 for $125. I'll be all over it like stank on poo, if I can get it for $100.

 

These are some of the deals to be had on govdeals for cases..


Shipping and Carrying Cases, ?Keal Case?, One Lot - GovDeals.com

1 plt of Misc Equipment Shipping Boxes - GovDeals.com

Yes, a bit to big on the first ones, but you did say you wanted wheeels....

 

!!!!BAM!!!!

How bout' $40 for a 1650??!?!?!?!?

I just picked it up.....sure, it's "last year's" model (so the handle swings down instead of sliding out), but who cares....it was only $40!I think I might have another addiction now, though.

 

Is the link just to show what you got, I dont see where the $40 is, casue Id get a couple at that price.

 

I fixed the link, my bad....I also emailed my buddy the clist link and the mfr link. whoops.

Nope, he used it for camera equipment. only one, or yeah, I would have bought'm all and resold them (ok, and kept 2 or 3 for myself)

 

Ok, you got me excited there for a minute. I love pelican cases and have about six. When I lived in the keys, and a hurricane was going to hit, I used to put all my valuable papers and stuff in them, and then chain them togeather to my truck. No matter how bad it got, I knew I would eventually find the truck, and stuff attached.

 

My favorite is the starlight cases. Store some of my cf-29's in them as well as other items of reach out and touch someone. The Pelican cases are certainly TOUGH as well. The starlights are and can be pricey but can occasionally find a deal..Driller

 

Not as good as Peli, but really decent and a lot better priced:
.:Amabilia Srl:. / Home page
I have both peli-cases and amabilia's and the Peli's are made more stable/durable, but for ocasional use, the Amabilia's will do fine.

 

A word to the wise:

Most airlines classify luggage size by adding the lenght+width+depth.
Most airlines use 60" or 62" as the min for "oversized" size luggage.

the 1650 I purchased has a flight size of 64". this means, in my application, it will be overweight AND oversize....that's +$300 to check on my flight.

I just scooped up a virtually brand new 1610 for $80. That'll only cost me an extra $100 to check, for it's 50-70# weight.

 

JFWIW, I just did a Greyhound Package Express calculation for the 1650 completely across the country @ 70# weight:

$82.10

 

I don't foot the bill, but I do have to keep it reasonable.....

I just sold the 1650 for $60 (bought it for $40)