M3 Tripod Transit Case Design Plans Wanted

[Fire4Effect]

I would like to build a M3 tripod transit case for my tripod. Have any of you done this and would you be willing to post pictures showing the construction?

[anm2_man]

I haven't done one for a M3, did build one for the New BFS HD AA tripods. You can see it here ->
http://www.beltfedshooters.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5797&highlight=transit

[Kali Komrade]

Wow thats a hunk of metal... I haven't done one yet but you could scale it up from a M2 tripod transit case...

[anm2_man]

Are U talking to me ?

[Kali Komrade]

Uh nope... and I just forgot the M2 transit chest holds the gun and the tripod... :big:

[Fire4Effect]

An3_man,

Thanks. Do you have any pics before you painted it?


I haven't done one for a M3, did build one for the New BFS HD AA tripods. You can see it here ->
http://www.beltfedshooters.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5797&highlight=transit

[1919_4_ME]

Over the years I have only seen a few M2HB transit cases and they were BIG and HEAVY. There were nice though and I never did save the pics, wish I would have though. Will be nice to see how yours comes out.:army:

[Fire4Effect]

I'm only looking for a transit case for the M3 tripod. Not the M2HB.

BTW, The TNW M2HB semi-auto I used to own back in 1998 came in a wooden case that held the M2HB, M3 tripod with pintle and T&E and two barrels. That was one big case.

I no longer have the TNW M2HB, but I do shoot my Barrett 82A1 from a M3 tripod sometimes.


http://www.fototime.com/5EDC68102C8DF1F/standard.jpg




Over the years I have only seen a few M2HB transit cases and they were BIG and HEAVY. There were nice though and I never did save the pics, wish I would have though. Will be nice to see how yours comes out.:army:

[anm2_man]

An3_man,

Thanks. Do you have any pics before you painted it?

Unfortunately - no pictures b4 paint. Basically, I used 1/4" std plywood for the sides and the top and ends. 1/2" std plywood for the bottom. To add some stability to the plywood, I used 1x3" boards all around the sides and the top. Mitered the corners and stapled them together. The only thing that I would do different is for the sides and the top and ends (and maybe even the bottom), I would route the 1x3" boards with a 1/4" deep slot to inlay on the inside the plywood. Its hard to square up large pieces of plywood to match the 1x3" boards ( that are totally square because they were made in a jig ) after they were assembled. Took some extra time to get that fixed.

If you have any other questions PM me or Post here.

[Fire4Effect]

Thanks,

I would not think 1/4" plywood would be suficient. I had planned to use 3/4" plywood all the way around with sawn lumber for the braces and skids. It could be awhile, but I will post pictures when I am done.


Unfortunately - no pictures b4 paint. Basically, I used 1/4" std plywood for the sides and the top and ends. 1/2" std plywood for the bottom. To add some stability to the plywood, I used 1x3" boards all around the sides and the top. Mitered the corners and stapled them together. The only thing that I would do different is for the sides and the top and ends (and maybe even the bottom), I would route the 1x3" boards with a 1/4" deep slot to inlay on the inside the plywood. Its hard to square up large pieces of plywood to match the 1x3" boards ( that are totally square because they were made in a jig ) after they were assembled. Took some extra time to get that fixed.

If you have any other questions PM me or Post here.

[Kali Komrade]

3/4"... Yikes... 1/4" is really strong FYI... I've used it for boats... up to 20 feet... Anything over usually requires 1/2 or doubling up... If I were to go anything thicker honestly I'd go to a 3/8" The stringers are what is going to give the box its strength and the plywood will just help reinforce that...
M3 isn't as heavy as a Marine engine... Just want to save a guys back here... I know of this guy that has these really giant parts cases and well they definetely are not practical...

[anm2_man]

Yeah - I agree

If your not going to use any stringers like I did around the edges, 1/4" is not sturdy enough. But to use 3/4" ply all the way around, it will be strong, but you will probably need a forklift when its filled. The big problem with using just plain plywood, its difficult to get the corners to hold to gether. Screws and nails/staples won't hold at all. You need to have some re-enforcing posts at all corners so you have something to secure the plywood to.

But I will look forward to see what it looks like.

[Fire4Effect]

This is why I started this thread. I need input from those who have built one.

Thanks

Yeah - I agree

If your not going to use any stringers like I did around the edges, 1/4" is not sturdy enough. But to use 3/4" ply all the way around, it will be strong, but you will probably need a forklift when its filled. The big problem with using just plain plywood, its difficult to get the corners to hold to gether. Screws and nails/staples won't hold at all. You need to have some re-enforcing posts at all corners so you have something to secure the plywood to.

But I will look forward to see what it looks like.

[Kali Komrade]

Yeah you brought up a good point ANM2_man plywood don't like to hold screws...
I like the idea of building the square frames out of pine then rabbeting the insides to accept the plywood then either brad nailing or stapling it to the frame What I also do when it comes to the ends as these are your main lifting points I fit a solid piece of pine in the ends... If you use T-nuts to secure your handles etc. It will have a better surface to grab on to...

If you have a router or a table saw it'll make the rabbeting of the inside a lot easier...

[1919_4_ME]

A customer built this for his AA Adapter and T&E along with his AA Tripod. Kinda big and heavy but it can give you an idea on building one for your M3 Tripod. 3/4' inch was used...:army:

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/8149/aatripodtransitcase.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/i/aatripodtransitcase.jpg/)

[Fire4Effect]

I like the idea of using 1x sawn (3/4”) lumber. I could assembly the panels using biscuits.

Thanks for posting the pic.


A customer built this for his AA Adapter and T&E along with his AA Tripod. Kinda big and heavy but it can give you an idea on building one for your M3 Tripod. 3/4' inch was used...:army:

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/8149/aatripodtransitcase.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/i/aatripodtransitcase.jpg/)

[Kali Komrade]

Yeah and the No.2 pine if you go through it at the Lumber store you can pick out some nice clear pieces I have to go there myself this coming week so I build a couple of cases... Usually the No.2 is quite a bit cheaper... a bit of advice though they typically use a batten behind the boards instead of joining and just but the edges together... the seam separate shrink and crack...