Make Your Own Polycarbonate Case

RSaunders · 06-11-2007, 11:27 PM

I described a really cool case I saw back in this thread.
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...?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/p...atnum=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

NatCh · 06-12-2007, 12:33 AM

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

imaredr · 06-20-2007, 04:26 PM

RSaunders,

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

Xenophon · 06-21-2007, 12:01 PM

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.

Xenophon · 06-22-2007, 09:32 PM

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!

tapf! · 06-23-2007, 08:56 AM

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

jakeluck · 07-01-2007, 02:03 AM

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:

http://www.american-digital.com/prod...indow,NoIndent
http://www.effectuality.com/store/it...ore/cdn/lng/en

RSaunders · 07-04-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakeluck

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.

dmikov · 07-06-2007, 12:01 PM

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.

imanlhakim · 07-19-2007, 05:43 AM

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.

horseyride · 11-26-2007, 10:37 AM

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.

astra · 11-26-2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horseyride

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?

horseyride · 11-26-2007, 11:36 AM

Wont fit with cover, no. Too narrow

horseyride · 11-26-2007, 11:48 AM

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

gwynevans · 12-12-2007, 08:13 AM

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!

07-19-2007, 05:43 AM	#10
imanlhakim Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2007 Device: IPAQ 1950 and PRS-500	Using Crayon Case 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. Attached Thumbnails

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Any way to make MobileRead more PDA friendly?	robinson	Feedback	17	06-28-2007 03:21 PM
Make: HOW TO - Make PDFs for the Sony Reader (Ebook e-ink device)	kalivoodoo	Sony Portable Reader PRS-500/505	6	02-01-2007 12:56 PM
DMCA up for review: Make your case	Evan	Lounge	4	10-30-2005 12:25 AM

06-11-2007, 11:27 PM	#1
RSaunders Zealot Posts: 121 Karma: 584 Join Date: Jan 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500	Make Your Own Polycarbonate Case I described a really cool case I saw back in this thread. http://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...?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/p...atnum=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 Attached Thumbnails

06-12-2007, 12:33 AM	#2
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,484 Karma: 31590 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: PRS600	Very nice, RSaunders, and excellent pix to go with it. Thanks! __________________ ΨΦ! "Torg, why do you have emergency pants?" -- Riff

06-20-2007, 04:26 PM	#3
imaredr Collector Posts: 295 Karma: 146 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Harker Heights, Texas Device: Cybook	RSaunders, You have done a great job on this as well as specific instructions. Thanks for the link to get the poly case.

06-21-2007, 12:01 PM	#4
Xenophon curmudgeon Posts: 1,165 Karma: 11803 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Device: PRS-700, PRS-500	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.

06-22-2007, 09:32 PM	#5
Xenophon curmudgeon Posts: 1,165 Karma: 11803 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA Device: PRS-700, PRS-500	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! Last edited by Xenophon; 06-22-2007 at 09:36 PM. Reason: fumbled typing original version

06-23-2007, 08:56 AM	#6
tapf! Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Germany / Stuttgart Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	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

07-01-2007, 02:03 AM	#7
jakeluck Zealot Posts: 123 Karma: 18 Join Date: Dec 2004	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: http://www.american-digital.com/prod...indow,NoIndent http://www.effectuality.com/store/it...ore/cdn/lng/en Last edited by jakeluck; 07-01-2007 at 02:08 AM.

07-06-2007, 12:01 PM	#9
dmikov Zealot Posts: 140 Karma: 584 Join Date: Dec 2006 Device: REB1200 REB2150 Sony 500 Pocket EZReader	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.

11-26-2007, 10:37 AM	#11
horseyride Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: none	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.

11-26-2007, 11:36 AM	#13
horseyride Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: none	Wont fit with cover, no. Too narrow

11-26-2007, 11:48 AM	#14
horseyride Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: none	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

12-12-2007, 08:13 AM	#15
gwynevans Wizard Posts: 1,234 Karma: 1676 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Sony 505 (Blue)	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!