This is info I found in a post from indieclub.com. Apparently a great low cost alternative for an aluminum case for your dv camera...

------------------------------------------
Hey just in case anybody is in need I found this Aluminum Tool Case at Lowe's Home Improvement Wharehouse. It has egg crate foam on the top and diced foam on the bottom. I use it for my GL1 and it works great, lots of room for the camera, batteries, tapes, cords, etc. I have found guys selling these on EBay for $40+. Best thing is it is only $19.96. Here is the link if you want to look. Bear in mind the have taken all the foam out and put tools in. http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=24981-000010203-VGC-5200 You can change the location in the upper right hand corner and enter your zip code to find you nearest Lowe's.
------------------------------------------

This is exactly what I need. However, it doesn't look big enough for the xl-1 (even in pieces). I have a camera case that looks quite similar. I planned on using it for the xl-1, but it's to shallow.
I'll measure up and see. Anyhow, thanks.

American home improvement stores have the best stuff. I've tried various home stores here in Canada, and can't find anything suitable for a home-made XL case.

Thanks for the tip. I've been wondering how I was going to fit all the things I really need into my budget. You just saved me a few bucks!

Looks just like the cases I bought on eBay... for more money.

Good little cases, by the way.

Just wondering if those are REALLY big enough? They are 16.875cm deep and the XM2 is about 14 or 12cm wide depending on which way you measure it. This doesn't seem to give much leg room for the padding to work. Anyone actually using these? Are they safe enough for the XM2?

I don't know about the camera, but I have two for accessories.

One carries my video light, charger, and battery belt. The other carries my Rode NTK microphone, power supply, and shock mount.

Hey Imran, thanks for the scoop on the heavy duty aluminum case at Lowes. I've just bought a Gl2, and didn't want to pay alot for my case, but I wanted something substantial just like you mentioned. I'll be at lowes tomorrow. I love this forum! Thanks again.

r.j. paradee


www.hearditonhold.com/about.htm

I've seen these metal cases at Home Depos here in Canada as well. I'm not big on them though. Way too small for my liking. I'd rather have one big case than 4 little ones.

I have this case. Works great.

I also have this case. For 20 bucks, it rocks! Here are some pics I just snapped real quick with my panasonic pv-dv852 inside, and normally my digital camera is in the upper right hand corner. This site doesn't have the web code turned on to post pics so you have to copy and paste the links in your browser. I fit my camcorder, camera, extra battery for camcorder, battery charger for camcorder, extra batteries and charger for camera, wide angle lense, 4 filters, extra dv tape, remote for camcorder, and all the extra wires that my camcorder came with all in this case! I love it......

www4.ncsu.edu/~berobert/case1.jpg
www4.ncsu.edu/~berobert/case2.jpg
www4.ncsu.edu/~berobert/case3.jpg
www4.ncsu.edu/~berobert/case4.jpg
www4.ncsu.edu/~berobert/case5.jpg
www4.ncsu.edu/~berobert/case6.jpg
www4.ncsu.edu/~berobert/case7.jpg

Bryan, that looks very good. I'm guessing you did the cut out for the camera yourself, did it come with the black foam already in it?

For Aaron, I've seen XL1's inside these cases, with decent room around them. The viewfinder has to come off, but it works. And being aluminum, I'd think they'd be pretty darn safe.

And for $20, it's a great buy if you don't want to lug around a bigger case.

Yes, the foam comes in it.

you can also arrange the foam lengthwise to fit longer cameras (xl1).

Its larger, has wheels and can hold an XL-1 fully assembled.

http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summary/productsummary.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0135418509.1044029317@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdiadchgmhmkflcehgcemgdffmdflh.0&vertical=SEARS&bidsite=&pid=00959027000

anyone know a good cheap place to by some foam to cut for padding in my cases?

I've bought lots of foam for my recording studio areas from Knox Foam out of Knoxville. They'll cut it to your exact specs, and the price is right. Light Gray.

r.j. paradee

knoxfoam.com