I described a really cool case I saw back in this thread.
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8654&page=4

None of youall confessed to being the case owner, :( so I started a quest for the polycarbonate case to put my Reader in my briefcase. Alas, nobody sells it, but you can make your own for about $10. All you need is one tricky item, but for that we have the Internet.

You can get a polycarbonate DVD anti-theft case for $4 plus shipping from Brodart Library Supplies at the following URL
http://www.shopbrodart.com/shop/cb/product.aspx?pgID=4370&catnum=86657001

The case is 8 1/8" x 5 7/8" x 3/4", and that will be the tiny amount of space taken up by your Reader once inside.

Picture #1 shows the case as it comes from Brodart. Alas, this case is designed to prevent DVD theft, and it can only be unlocked with a special tool. Fortunately it comes unlocked, and you can disable the lock mechanism by inserting a putty knife as shown in Picture #2. Just pry it up a little and shake out the metal locking gizmo. Throw that out, and you can use the latching mechanism to keep your Reader snug inside. Picture #3 shows the locking bits removed.

Since the reader needs a little cushioning, I got some weather strip at my local Home Depot for $2, as shown in Picture #4. You could use 1/2" weather strip, it would fit better, but my Home Depot only had it in ugly grey.

Line the inside half of the case (it slides inside the other half as you close the case) with a strip of cushion as shown in Pictures #5 and #6. Case complete.

Picture #7 shows the Reader inserted in the case, Picture #8 shows the Reader cover closed, and Picture #9 shows the case buttoned up.

This case provides good protection from minor shocks and squishing, but it only provides minimal protection from pointy thingys. My briefcase has lots of flat things, like magazines and folios, so I mostly worry about my Reader being crushed. If you put yours in a bag where it could be poked, the polycarbonate case could be cracked. You could reinforce it with 1/8" plexiglas to make it more poke-proof and still less than 1" thick.

(Apologies to all the folks who use the good measurement system, we just can't buy things labeled in meters here in the US.)

/Randy

Very nice, RSaunders, and excellent pix to go with it. Thanks!

RSaunders,

You have done a great job on this as well as specific instructions. Thanks for the link to get the poly case.

Thanks indeed. I'm currently waiting for Brodart to get around to shipping the two I ordered (one for my Reader, one for my wife's). Latest info (as of 5 minutes ago) is that they have 19 in stock, so I should get to produce my own cases sometime soon.

These things do indeed make a dandy case. It took me about 20 minutes to prepare two of them. And most of that was due to having to trim the foam insulation tape I had for both width and thickness. The tape I had in stock was 3/4"x1/2" -- the case really wanted 5/8"x3/8". Scissors took care of it promptly.

I was worried about popping out the security latch, but that turned out to be the easiest part.

Thanks again to Randy, for a great idea with clear instructions!

Hmm, that sounds interessting.

Since it's almost impossible to get an Idea of the size in Inches, i coverted it (and it may help other metric system users too)

The Case is: 20.64cm x 14.92cm x 1.91cm

Best Regards

Fabian

a normal dvd case looks like should fit the reader perfectly if one were to strip out the disc holder ring. what do you guys think of this:

https://www.effectuality.com/store/pix/product_images/lg/dvd_tin.jpg
http://www.am-dig.com/cms/images/largeimages/DCTWO.jpg

http://www.american-digital.com/prodsite/product.asp?p=2104&c=1960&name=TinDVDCase,NoWindow,NoIndent
http://www.effectuality.com/store/item.php/name/DVD_Tin/product/view/itemid/88/catid/5/store/cdn/lng/en

a normal dvd case looks like should fit the reader perfectly if one were to strip out the disc holder ring. what do you guys think of this?


It looks interesting, but it seems to be about the same thickness as the Reader. If you get one, please send us photos with your Reader in it.

Sony:
Dimensions
Weight: Approx. 9oz. without soft cover
Measurements: Approx. 6.9" x 4.9" x 0.5". (175.6
x 123.6 x 13.8mm)
Tin Case:
Size: 18.5cm x 13cm, Depth w/ insert 0.75cm, w/o insert 1.4cm

Looks, like 2mm to spare.;)

In Indonesia I could not get sony case easily, but I was worry about my prs in my back pack, so I took crayon box and use it as a case.

I got one of the tin cases. Reader fits great with about 2mm on each side but I'm not sure the flexible tin is strong enough to trust over the Broadart padded box which I did as well.. For those interested in the tin, ask for a 'sample' which they volunteered to send me because shipping from Canada (to USA, anyway) was $14 on a $1 item. I offered to pay shipping, but they didn't bother.

I got one of the tin cases. Reader fits great with about 2mm on each side but I'm not sure the flexible tin is strong enough to trust over the Broadart padded box which I did as well.. For those interested in the tin, ask for a 'sample' which they volunteered to send me because shipping from Canada (to USA, anyway) was $14 on a $1 item. I offered to pay shipping, but they didn't bother.

Does Sony Reader fit into the tin with the stock cover?

Wont fit with cover, no. Too narrow

I was thinking of trying some plexiglass reinforcement on the inside cover attached with superglue, then some neoprene, but its a longer term project while I use the broadart

Tried to order one of these cases from Brodart's yesterday but got an email back saying "... we only sell security cases to libraries. I hope this has not cause any inconvenience".

Aside: I do wonder about the last part - does the author imagine I made an international order based on a whim or that I didn't really want the case? Of course, it's going to cause an incovenience, at the very least!

That's very odd. They sold them to me, no questions asked. Drop them a note explaining your intended use. And while you are at it, note that they've sold the security cases to plenty of non-libraries in the past. They may well change their minds. And if not, well... email is cheap.

Xenophon

Did that, said I was happy to have it without the locking gadget (in case that was the issue) and pointed them to the thread to explain why. The agent did refer it & I got an email not long ago saying she'd got an OK from her supervisior, so hopefully one will be on it's way shortly.

Thank RSaunders for the detailed information. I just finished making two cases in less than 10 minutes. :)

I would like to add one tip to making the case.

The 'metal locking gizmo' can be used instead of being thrown away. You can put it back after rotating it 180 degree. This way, the metal piece provides bit more friction to the latching mechanism preventing the latch from moving too easily. :2thumbsup

Using the information found here (http://how2dostuff.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-to-make-secret-hollow-book.html)(How To Make a Secret Hollow Book) and after a couple hours of work, i constructed a book case for my Sony PRS-505

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/6504/cimg2128nw6.th.jpg
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/2024/cimg2129es9.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/1937/cimg2130at4.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5673/cimg2131xk5.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6844/cimg2133nk6.jpg
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1104/cimg2134fr5.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3977/cimg2137xy3.jpg

Now my device is secure :book2:

Using the information found here (http://how2dostuff.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-to-make-secret-hollow-book.html)(How To Make a Secret Hollow Book) and after a couple hours of work, i constructed a book case for my Sony PRS-505

Now my device is secure :book2:

There's another thread on this approach, see:

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10894&highlight=hollow+book

Thanks for the nice photos.

In case anyone else reading through the archives decides to do this...

They've changed the design of their case. It no long hinges like a book seen in the pictures in the first post, but hinges at the bottom with the locking mechanism at the top. It is really, really easy to accidentally lock it - thankfully my Fred Meyer uses the same brand of security locks and since I had an empty, open case I was able to bat my eyelashes and get it unlocked. ;) So you want to make sure the little entire locking mechanism stays to the left - when I was monkeying with it after that I put a large wad of duct tape in the space on the right so I couldn't accidentally lock it again.

The metal piece is also no longer quite so easy to get out. I thought I couldn't get it out at all, and resigned myself to it being a waste. Being that, I was trying to pop off the plastic locking mechanism altogether, since I figured if I broke it it wouldn't matter, when I discovered it has just enough give to it to get the metal out. If you take a flathead screwdriver and put it in, then twist it, the plastic will bend enough to create a gap. With a nail file and ten minutes of messing with it later, you should be able to get the metal piece out. :) I didn't bother trying to flip it over and put it back in like someone else suggested, partly because I didn't know if I could get it back in and partly because I didn't want to test my luck again and mess the whole thing up.

It's a little more time consuming than it looks like it used to be, but it still works well and fits the reader beautifully with the weather stripping. Great idea, and still only costs me about $11.

I don't think it has changed - the original was hinged on the short side too, as was mine from the start of the year.

You're right, and it's pretty obvious...the first picture threw me off and I selectively forgot the rest of them.

-feeling silly-

I will say, however, that there was no way to fit anything on mine where the putty knife is in the picture. I had to do it in the middle to the middle-leftish area.

Alright, so I'm a big nerd who's not so good at do-it-yourself. :)

I didn't bother trying to flip it over and put it back in like someone else suggested, partly because I didn't know if I could get it back in and partly because I didn't want to test my luck again and mess the whole thing up.

For those who would like to try this later, I will post photos to clarify how the metal thingy should look like after rotating it.

The first picture shows how I placed the case. Notice the two ventilation holes. The second photo shows the lower part of the first photo in detail. it shows the metal locking gizmo in close up after I rotated it.

Hope this help. :)

FYI for cybook users, this works pretty well but expect to do a lot more padding (on all sides) - the new "leather" case doesn't fit at all and the cybook rattles around like a penny in a soda can without it. I'm gonna figure something out tonight and see about posting some pics. (Unfortunately they won't be as nice as the previous posters' cuz my camera is dead, so cellphone pics are gonna have to do..)

I just got one in the mail, and stupidly the first thing I did when I opened it was slide the locking lever to the lock position. It doesn't shut, so is there anything I can do to move the lever back?

Edit - Nevermind, I was able to pry it out and I flipped the metal part around like one of the above posters suggested, Works great now! I was thinking of seeing if I could fit some felt to lay underneath the reader instead of using weatherstrip (may look a little better, but maybe not as durable)

The thing with the weatherstrip is the 4mm or so padding that it gives, so maybe a roll/sausage of felt would work...

The thing with the weatherstrip is the 4mm or so padding that it gives, so maybe a roll/sausage of felt would work...
I've had the same thoughts. If Santa brings a 700 this year it seems like the best way forward. More craft skills would be needed, :( , but a piece of fabric rolled up to fill the end and side gaps would be the solution.

I took your idea and modified it for my wife's reader. I got a couple cheap picture 'frames' from the local Walgreen's that are essentially polycarbonate boxes with a carboard box that goes into it. I measured and cut the sides down to just about 1/2" and cut the end off of one and both ends off the other. I then put some adhesive foam pads from the Dollar store on the inside and used clear packing tape to seal the entire thing together to make a rigid polycarbonate box that is open on one end. I basically made a very rigid slipcover for the reader. It fits very nicely into an Oriental-style satin bag from Target's dollar section to make a very pretty yet protective hardcase.

I took your idea and modified it for my wife's reader. {snip} I basically made a very rigid slipcover for the reader. It fits very nicely into an Oriental-style satin bag from Target's dollar section to make a very pretty yet protective hardcase.
That sounds very interesting, and compact. :cool: Perhaps you can grace us with a couple of pictures??

That sounds very interesting, and compact. :cool: Perhaps you can grace us with a couple of pictures??

I used my Reader for the pics as my wife is using hers at the moment. I also only to pics of the insert and not the bag as it is upstairs with her as well.

I've made my own case from a regular DVD box.
It's not as good as above, but it'll do. Nice project for a free day off!

I even got a reminder (cut myself in the finger).

I got a regular DVD case, cut of excessive plastic,pasted a small cardboard on the DVD-side, and then used superglue to fit a piece of a towel in there.
Fits snugly!
Here are some pictures:
1 & 234: the tools
123: after 'gutting out' the dvd box
2: inserting cardboard
3: pasting the towel
4: Closed box without the reader
5: sideview
6: Reader fits snugly
7: reader in half closed case
8: Closed case with reader insice
9: backside of case with reader inside.


*Edit: Since the pitures where taken with my digital camera they may be a little less in quality.
Also,I had to attach at least one of the movies to show you the gutted out version, since I accidentally recorded it instead of taking a shot.*

I have a case I made out of a DVD case as well but I was unhappy with the level of screen protection it provides.

Good luck with it. I have made a half dozen cases and wound up using the lightwedge case SOny put out instead. LOL

I have a case I made out of a DVD case as well but I was unhappy with the level of screen protection it provides.

Good luck with it. I have made a half dozen cases and wound up using the Lightwedge case Sony put out instead. LOL

I have a case I made out of a DVD case as well but I was unhappy with the level of screen protection it provides.

Good luck with it. I have made a half dozen cases and wound up using the lightwedge case SOny put out instead. LOL

yeah, my DVD case is quite amator like.. hehe

I just did it for fun. The protection of the screen is ideed very low with a DVD case. That's why I added a cardboard plate behind the plastic.
However it's not much of protection neither...
the leather pouch Sony gave with the reader probably gives almost as much protection to the glass as the dvd box I created.
Though a DVD box is good for traveling. You can stack it inbetween your DVD's and noone really knows you have it with you.
Put a flyer of a movie in the plastic and they think you have a DVD with you!

the case is probably safer than the leather pouch when dropping the reader, but for preassure on the glass a dvd box is not strong enough.

yeah, my DVD case is quite amator like.. hehe

I just did it for fun.

*snip*
Though a DVD box is good for traveling. You can stack it inbetween your DVD's and noone really knows you have it with you.
Put a flyer of a movie in the plastic and they think you have a DVD with you!

the case is probably safer than the leather pouch when dropping the reader, but for preassure on the glass a dvd box is not strong enough.

I did exactly as you said for mine as well. See the attached pics.

It does do well for a general light-weight cover though and is much cooler.

My local supermarket had a 3 for £18 on DVDs last night, so I bought Iron Man, Batman Begins and Bladerunner.

Anyway, huge queues at the checkouts so customer services desk called me over and said they could process my purchases. I got home to find that all 3 dvds were still in their security cases :smack:

I was about to trudge back to the shop, but then :bulb2: i remembered this thread about using them as a case for my PRS 500 :thumbsup:

2 mins with a screwdriver got them all opened, I'll start modding one at the weekend for my device (previously when travelling it's lived in my coat pocket - had to fish it out of backpacks and suitcases in the past pretty smartish before my wife threw more stuff on top of it:rolleyes:).

hurrah for busy supermarket checkouts

I have been trying to get one of the cases from about any local store that sells DVDs in them, but no luck yet. It is a shame I didn't know about this when Blockbuster Video went under. I got lots of stuff from them.

I get emails from time to time about where to get these cases. I noticed that there is now an eBay store selling them. Look for a seller named "tardy-the-turtle".

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400081850881

This probably also means that there is an international shipping solution. I know this works for 500 and 505, but it's also probably a solution for the new readers.

I was able to modify my case to make my prs-700 fit. All it took was removing the closed-cell foam from one of the two long sides of the case. Really easy.

Also, Brodart.com still sells the cases (or did, when last I checked).

Xenophon