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Pelican-like case VERY cheap Harbor Freight Tools $29-59
Posted By: stemked, 12-15-2020, 06:20 PM

If you are looking for a waterproof/droppable/locakable case that you can customize to fit your gear, you might want to head over to your local Harbor Freight store. Their $29 model can be customized to fit a body and a couple of smallish lens. They have larger ones that could be customized to handle up to an 80-200 (I would guess) plus body and another lens and I think that one runs about $60 (not exactly sure). The deal is good through December 16th I believe.
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12-15-2020, 06:26 PM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by stemked Quote
Pelican-like case VERY cheap Harbor Freight Tools $29-59
Do we have a model number or a link?

FWIW, there are several users here on PF that are fond of these cases.


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12-15-2020, 07:01 PM - 1 Like   #3
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I'm guessing it are these:
Search Results For "Apache Case"
12-15-2020, 07:40 PM   #4
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Pretty nice find.

12-15-2020, 07:44 PM   #5
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The only time I've seen prices like that are on the used market.
12-15-2020, 08:13 PM   #6
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Nice find, I might have to head on over to Harbor Freight tomorrow to check out the 3800. Looks like the sale goes off 12/17. I found a bargain on one exactly like the 4800 last year at Sams Club for under $20 one per customer.
12-15-2020, 08:31 PM   #7
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I've got the 5800 case and it's really good. It comes with multiple layers of pick & pluck foam, but you can take all of that out and use a standard Pelican 1510 padded divider set (or cheaper 3rd party option) for a much better product.

12-15-2020, 09:09 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Not a Number Quote
I'm guessing it are these:
Search Results For "Apache Case"
Sorry, yes, those are the cases (I got an add in the mail and checked it out). They seem to be well constructed.

---------- Post added 12-15-2020 at 11:12 PM ----------

And sorry, the last day looks like it is Thursday
12-16-2020, 07:58 AM   #9
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One thing of note. While the cases are well built, the pick apart foam is not the greatest. I took an apache 5800 to glacier national park earlier this year and checked it with the airline. On arrival I opened up the case and found that the varying pressures of the trip caused the foam cells to open up. What was a tight fitting case became loose and unusable.


I recommend using replacement Kaizen foam for the top form fitting layer and retaining the pick and pull for a cushioning bottom layer.


The shell of the case is quality however. The only thing separating this from the pelican is a slight unevenness of the casting finish and some remaining plastic flashing at the edges.
12-16-2020, 09:14 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by ALLCAPS Quote
One thing of note. While the cases are well built, the pick apart foam is not the greatest. I took an apache 5800 to glacier national park earlier this year and checked it with the airline. On arrival I opened up the case and found that the varying pressures of the trip caused the foam cells to open up. What was a tight fitting case became loose and unusable.
Fascinating! Great tip!
12-16-2020, 09:38 AM   #11
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I have a couple of these for another use. They are quite well made.
12-16-2020, 10:54 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by ALLCAPS Quote
I recommend using replacement Kaizen foam for the top form fitting layer
Did you cut your own or use a kit?


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12-16-2020, 11:10 AM   #13
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I own 5 of these cases and they are pretty good.
However.....just a word of warning is deserved here.
If you need it to be 100% waterproof , I highly recomend giving it a thorough dunking and spray test without a camera inside !
I use the 1800 and 2800 size on my kayaks for camera gear and I had to return several to find one that didn't leak at all.
Other than that I have no issues with them for the price.

---------- Post added 12-16-20 at 11:14 ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by STARHUNTER94 Quote
The only time I've seen prices like that are on the used market.
They go on sale every year during the holidays. Last year I bought 2 of the 1800 size for $9.99 each.
12-16-2020, 01:00 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
Did you cut your own or use a kit?


Steve


I have cut my own on the 2 cases I have. At present I have one for my limiteds and macros and another travel case for my DA*s. Even though it is vastly more time consuming to route the kaizen, I appreciate that it is so form fitting vs the angular fit of the pick and pull that only engages part of the item being held.
12-16-2020, 04:08 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by ALLCAPS Quote
I recommend using replacement Kaizen foam for the top form fitting layer and retaining the pick and pull for a cushioning bottom layer.
Thanks for this tip. I just ordered a set of foam for a Pelican im2700 case I have without foam.
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