Official Luthiers Forum!

I know that we have a wealth of knowledge and experience on the board so I
want to tap in to that knowledge.

I am heading out to the warmth shortly and want to acquire some local wood for building next year
My problem is that I will want sides longer than the 24 inches that will fit in my suitcase. I wanted to
use a dreadnought case for a suitcase but it exceeds the acceptable size as a suitcase on United Airlines. I might get away with a "soft" case but it would require stiffeners which weigh.
One detail, I am cheap and Canada Post makes it too expensive.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Bob

Package it as you can would for mail and treat as check in luggage

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Doug:
I would rather put the money into wood than shipping and if I have a couple guitar sets, I would go your way but if it is just miss-cuts and orphans, it doesn't justify the expense.

Bob

Bob buddy I used to travel for my work all over the world and since I was also trying..... to build when home... I would purchase cool wood where ever I was...

What worked very well for me even after 9/11 was to put tops and backs in my suitcase and then I would loosely package the sides with some junk wood slats for protection and often nothing more than a quick wrap in craft paper. The idea is that the package should be very easy to open for inspection, customs, TSA, etc. and just as easy to tape back up and be on my way.

I hand carried my suitcase and my package on the planes and would promptly ask the flight attendants upon boarding to stow my sides or the package in the first class closet. They were always pleased to do so.

For customs and TSA if you have a business card identifying you as a Loofier it helps to paint the picture and set people at ease.

Never had any damage, hassle, etc. and if traveling internationally receipts for what you purchased are a good idea too.

Remember too it's likely not a good idea to bring the bandsaw....

My limitation is wiesenborn sides are around forty inches. The drednought case would have been perfect. I have a forty inch soft case that might fit in my bag.
Next year, I will build a case that meets regulation.

Bob

Put the backs in your suitcase and carry on the sides. I've done this a couple of times. No problem. Weiss sides might be a pain.

Like already stated, I made a custom cardboard box to fit, like Doug, taped it up and like hash said, easy to inspect.

It was technically too long for checked, but the overall size was small and easy to handle, so I think it was no big deal.

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Pat

Thank you
I should have checked this out two weeks ago and I would have had time to build the case. I have a while to figure out the best solution.

Bob

I will be in Maui in a month's time and plan to return with some select Koa to turn into bindings. I'll wrap it up and anticipate no troubles carrying it on as it will likely be thin enough to fit on top of some bags in the overhead luggage compartment. If they turn me down at the gate it will work fine as a check-in piece. My greater concern is trying to find some really curly Koa blanks that will work for bindings.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Apologies to the OP for the hijack, Doug, have you you found a supplier in Maui for Koa?
I have been a few times and only located 1 retailer. The quality was marginal and the cost was crazy.
~$80 per b/f if I remember right.
May head there this spring if time allows and would be interested in searching again.

Thanks
B

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My memory is so good, sometimes I remember things that never happened.

Whoops, I meant Hesh! Sorry

All this talk about transporting exotic cargo and what not.......

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Pat

Apologies to the OP for the hijack, Doug, have you you found a supplier in Maui for Koa?
I have been a few times and only located 1 retailer. The quality was marginal and the cost was crazy.
~$80 per b/f if I remember right.
May head there this spring if time allows and would be interested in searching again.

Thanks
B[/quote]

Haven't yet looked into it.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something