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 TheCustomLime wrote:

 Desubot wrote:
Walmart sells gun cases, also sporting good stores. if not online works too.

like the piano pistol case for something like 10 bucks should hold about 20-30 models i think.

generally though it may be well worth investing in a decent case like from battle foam depending on exactly how big your army is

2 10 man squads, 3 Chimeras, 2 Russes and a CCS. I think I may have to bite the bullet on this. Thank you all for you suggestions, though.

For info, a KR case to take this lot is $54.99.
It is a card caase, with Imperial Guard Set A
Holds: 6x Chimera/Leman Russ (rem turret), 50 troops
Comprises: 2x M4H, 6x IG1 trays

 Skinnereal wrote:

 TheCustomLime wrote:

 Desubot wrote:
Walmart sells gun cases, also sporting good stores. if not online works too.

like the piano pistol case for something like 10 bucks should hold about 20-30 models i think.

generally though it may be well worth investing in a decent case like from battle foam depending on exactly how big your army is

2 10 man squads, 3 Chimeras, 2 Russes and a CCS. I think I may have to bite the bullet on this. Thank you all for you suggestions, though.

For info, a KR case to take this lot is $54.99.
It is a card caase, with Imperial Guard Set A
Holds: 6x Chimera/Leman Russ (rem turret), 50 troops
Comprises: 2x M4H, 6x IG1 trays

As far as the pitol case, it very much depends on the case you buy and whether you modify it. An unmodified Plano single layer pistol case might fit 20-30 figs, but that's going to be about it.
A Plano 1402-2 "Protector" 4 pistol case will hold 60-90 or so figs unmodified (just laid between the layers of foam, not the best method but it works), and around 140-180 figs when modified as in my post. It will hold everything you mention, though there will be some cutting necessary at least for the tanks. The infantry can lay out on a layer of eggshell if you want.

The KR case is a good option to consider. ON the one hand, it is made of card. On the other, it's going to require alot less DIY.

Eilif wrote:
So, what is your convincing argument for why I should spend more?

Well, my response would be that I'd need at least 6 of those things to carry everything that fits in my Battlefoam PACK AIR case, and carrying six cases gets unwieldy.

I have all types of cases, from those $10 Planos to Battlefoam, and my opinion is that you're both right. You can make an effective case on the cheap. But high-end cases like those from Battlefoam are also excellent products that provide maximum protection for your minis while carrying them more compactly.

It just depends on you, your army, and your needs.

I use Battlefoam. Quality good. Expensive yes.

But making a quick drawing of the models I want in a tray and having them custom-cut a tray for it saves me a lot of time at least.
Especially for my Forgeworld models that generally don't have pre-cut trays available from any vendors.
Their foam is also fairly rigid so with a neat fit the models won't move much at all.

 Shandara wrote:
But making a quick drawing of the models I want in a tray and having them custom-cut a tray for it saves me a lot of time at least.

Definitely. I can see that argument and can't fault it - it just doesn't apply to everyone.

 gorgon wrote:

Eilif wrote:
So, what is your convincing argument for why I should spend more?

Well, my response would be that I'd need at least 6 of those things to carry everything that fits in my Battlefoam PACK AIR case, and carrying six cases gets unwieldy.

I have all types of cases, from those $10 Planos to Battlefoam, and my opinion is that you're both right. You can make an effective case on the cheap. But high-end cases like those from Battlefoam are also excellent products that provide maximum protection for your minis while carrying them more compactly.

I grant you that if you're carrying that many figures anywhere, such a system may be a good choice for you, and I don't dispute that Battlefoam is a very good system, and one of the most protective systems there is. Out of curiosity though, why are you transporting so many figures at once? I can't remember the last time I had to take more than 2 cases to a game.

As to the massive transport issue, Kutzmon's original tutorial (from which I built mine) does include an interesting way of attaching several cases together.
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/241220.page

 gorgon wrote:
It just depends on you, your army, and your needs.

Very much agreed.

Eilif wrote:

 gorgon wrote:

Eilif wrote:
So, what is your convincing argument for why I should spend more?

Well, my response would be that I'd need at least 6 of those things to carry everything that fits in my Battlefoam PACK AIR case, and carrying six cases gets unwieldy.

I have all types of cases, from those $10 Planos to Battlefoam, and my opinion is that you're both right. You can make an effective case on the cheap. But high-end cases like those from Battlefoam are also excellent products that provide maximum protection for your minis while carrying them more compactly.

I grant you that if you're carrying that many figures anywhere, such a system may be a good choice for you, and I don't dispute that Battlefoam is a very good system, and one of the most protective systems there is. Out of curiosity though, why are you transporting so many figures at once? I can't remember the last time I had to take more than 2 cases to a game.

Well, the army in question counts as Orks, so a given army list might have 150 models with vehicles. That still isn't fitting in even 2 of those Planos. Plus maybe I want all my models at my disposal for larger games, or if I want to change my army list, etc. I could just as easily ask why wouldn't you want your army spread across as few cases as possible? Again, it's about preferences and needs.

You also need a single, sturdy, protective case if you have to bring your army on an airplane. Even if you can carry it on, you might end up having to gate check it on a crowded flight.

 gorgon wrote:
Well, the army in question counts as Orks, so a given army list might have 150 models with vehicles. That still isn't fitting in even 2 of those Planos.

Given that in the thread I linked he said he had 90 SMs plus room for 4 vehicles (one being a Land Raider) you probably could fit that army list in 2 Planos.

Plus maybe I want all my models at my disposal for larger games, or if I want to change my army list, etc. I could just as easily ask why wouldn't you want your army spread across as few cases as possible? Again, it's about preferences and needs.

Absolutely agreed.

You also need a single, sturdy, protective case if you have to bring your army on an airplane. Even if you can carry it on, you might end up having to gate check it on a crowded flight.

As far as gate checking, if you notify the people in advance and let them know, it can be avoided.
But I do get your point. I guess what I'm trying to say overall is that you pay for convenience. If you have the time and no special needs Battlefoam, et. al. don't have any great advantage over a DIY solution.

While his tutorial is lovely, my time is worth more to me than that. To use a similar to one that was used to justify "spending dollars on foam:" every five minutes I spend working on cutting and gluing foam for a case is five minutes I'm not able to paint or play.

I

 cincydooley wrote:
While his tutorial is lovely, my time is worth more to me than that. To use a similar to one that was used to justify "spending dollars on foam:" every five minutes I spend working on cutting and gluing foam for a case is five minutes I'm not able to paint or play.

That's probably the best reason to go with a purpose-produced case. If your time is limited then the more time you can spend doing the parts of the hobby you like, the better. A case like the one I made probably takes around 2 hours to make (not counting glue drying time). However, finding 2 free hours can be a challenge sometimes.

DIY cases are best for those for whom $ is tighter, or who enjoy DIY projects. I love DIY stuff, so making a case is actually fun for me.

I think if you are really budget strapped this is the best option:

(not mine, this is in the P&M showcase at this link http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/513858.page

It's stacking rubber cases with sheet metal on the bottoms and magnets in the bases of the models.

Magnets are really cheap if you find the right supplier http://www.magnet4us.com/ for example.

It's also going to be faster than building a case from a gun case (which are not easy to get in some countries).

I have those stackable cases(about 15 levels worth in 3 stacks) for my Terrain scratchbuilding parts. I love them, but I wouldn't trust my minis in them for transport out of the house. I would highly recommend stacking them inside one of those tough reusable shopping bags or a similar satchel with handles rather than using the supplied handle.

I've had a couple of times when they've nearly come apart. Not as big a deal for terrain parts, but if my minis ended up all over the concrete...

Where do you get those stack able cases?

Most craft stores have them: JoAnnes, and probably Michaels. The Brand is "Snapware"

I've also seen them at Target. Though that was around christamas with a colored top. I think they might have been sold with a different brand name on the label there, though IIRC, they still had "Snapware" embossed on the case itself.

Cool thanks. going to magnetize those things to hold my crisis suits. foam wrecks all my stuff =(

There are plenty of good ready made options out there, unless you are a student or unemployed with lots of time on you hands i have never found making cases a good time investmen personally.

I'm picking up KR standard cases for about £20 these days from a local FLG and their premade custom trays for not much more than that. A standard troop tray and a 2" pluck tray will be more than ample.

The OP also states his army is done, having started with roughly the same army as you when restarting 40k a few yeas ago you have a fair bit of time ahead painting so some serious consideration for a readymade case might be worthwhile.