Hammond Clonewheel "B3-like" Case & Stand -- Build, Part 4

[Old No7]

For those who endeavor to DIY their own Hammond B3-like case for a clonewheel or other board, you can browse back in time to see the "Build Started", and "Parts 2 and 3" of my build. Again, I'm hoping these images might give some ideas or inspiration to others; just as I gained those from looking at images of other builds.

This Part 4 will show how far along the stand is for the B3-like case, which will sit on top and is all done. I just need to add 4 pegs in the top corners of the stand (about 1/2" proud) and 4 corresponding holes in the bottom of the case, then start to paint it.

Using a dado blade on my table saw, then a chisel, I had to notch the sides of all 4 legs plus the front of the front legs:


Held together with just those clamps, I was checking the final alignment before the gluing (with dowels added for strength, and more glue surface-area) & screwing (for the 4 sets of hinges) to connect it all together:


I added diagonal braces to keep the L & R legs the correct width apart (they can't open more than 90-degrees due to the way the hinges work, but they do fold back in), and I used small magnets to keep them in place. They'll also be held in by the case once it's placed on top:




This shows how the 2 legs fold into the middle, with a small rubber pad added where they touch the front. The black knob goes on a screw protruding from the side (when folded) to lock it in position for transporting:


< More to come on my own reply to this... >

 

[Old No7]

< Continuing with Part 4... >

Here she is, ready for the pegs to be added, then the black paint:






And here's it folded and secured, ready to transport (35" high, 50" wide):


Here's a top view of it folded up, about 4.5" wide plus the 2 knobs which stick out a bit.


I have priced out 2 custom soft gig bags for the case and stand as separate pieces, and the quotes range from $275 to $350 per piece -- ouch!! -- so for less than $40.00, I bought two brand new padded moving blankets and some extra-long Velcro straps. I will wrap it up well in the blanket and secure it with the straps. That shouldn't take too long to do and saves a ton of $$ for the half-dozen or so gigs that my band does per year ("for now" -- hopefully, more after I retire).

Sharp-eyed Hammond enthusiasts will notice the legs are fatter towards the bottom than on a B3; I had the legs custom-turned and made the square block near the bottom the same dimension as the top block (3"), that made it so much easier to align the top and bottom hinges on the same plane. A real B3 leg would have about a 2" or slightly larger bottom block.

The next post I do, the "Final" one, will show it all painted & assembled and ready for my band's next show on November 1st, and I might include some details on some of the features I've added, if there's any interest.

Thanks for following along with my build!

Old No7

 

[happyrat1]

You'll have a fine piece of furniture there that would do justice to any grandmother's bedsitting room.

Gigging with that thing? You'd better have a good sized dolly and winch and some indestructible roadies to set that thing up for every show.

I admire the craftsmanship but if I had my way all modern keyboards would be built of kevlar and carbon fibre.

 

[Biggles]

Good grief.

Build that in the UK and with the cost of the timber you have used it could fund a couple of Roadies for five years.

 

[Old No7]

Thanks guys.

90 pounds (total weight -- not in currency, Mr. Biggles ) in 3 easily schlepped pieces. My other dual-keyboard stand was 20# and the Hammond SK in its case (30#) is something that I am carting anyhow. So it's really only an increase of 40# and 1 additional piece. I can handle that -- and I can't wait to put into use.

Truthfully, there's only $40 of pine and $25.00 of hardware in it, and the custom-turned maple legs were $175 -- but previously, I was quoted "$150.00 to $175.00 per leg" from an online woodworking company that duplicates real Hammond B3 legs (maple or walnut).

Old No7

 

[Keithmac]

Thanks guys.

90 pounds (total weight -- not in currency, Mr. Biggles ) in 3 easily schlepped pieces. My other dual-keyboard stand was 20# and the Hammond SK in its case (30#) is something that I am carting anyhow. So it's really only an increase of 40# and 1 additional piece. I can handle that -- and I can't wait to put into use.

Truthfully, there's only $40 of pine and $25.00 of hardware in it, and the custom-turned maple legs were $175 -- but previously, I was quoted "$150.00 to $175.00 per leg" from an online woodworking company that duplicates real Hammond B3 legs (maple or walnut).

Old No7

Beautiful craftsmanship!