Pelicase or Daren Drum for drill?
- Thread starter Gerbil007
- Start date
Pitlamp
Well-known member
If you look elsewhere you'll find I'm also currently trying to sort the same problem (see Equipment section).
I'm finding that all the Peli cases seem to be really numb sizes (but I've yet to follow up the suggestion of looking at the Explorer cases).
Drills tend to be incredibly awkward shapes to fit any container efficiently.
You could keep your ears to the ground for anyone scrapping a neoprene diving drysuit with a waterproof "personal zip" fitted to the lower abdomen. (Top tip - wash the zip as it'll have been used for something unpleasant!). If you cut out the short personal zip leaving a wide flange of neoprene you can then use additional neoprene to build a neoprene dry bag which will be waterproof. You need to pad any sharp edges of the drill or other contents of the bag to avoid the bag being punctured. I used to take a Bosch drill through Far Sump in Peak cavern this way (385 m long and 8 m deep; a good half hour swim when heavily loaded) and it never let me down.
An alternative DIY remedy is to make a drill bag from a wagon inner tube (along the lines of the old carbide "pigs" that people used to make for expeditions before proper lamps were invented). One end is cemented permanently shut (best done by compressing it between two sheets of wood in a vice as the glue cures). The open end needs to be significantly longer than the drill such that it can be folded over several times and secured with inner tube loops stretched over it. Again, padding for any projecting drill edges prolongs the life of the inner tube carrier. I've also used these for transporting things through sumps so, in a normal caving situation, it will not leak provided you avoid punctures. Old towels make ghreat5 padding as they soak up any minor leaks of water which may occur. Trawling round any grubby caving hut will normally generate a plentiful supply of nasty old cast off towels.Best thing is this costs nowt.
I've never used Ortleib type waterproof bags but I know people who have and they seem happy with them.
Hope that helps.
I'm finding that all the Peli cases seem to be really numb sizes (but I've yet to follow up the suggestion of looking at the Explorer cases).
Drills tend to be incredibly awkward shapes to fit any container efficiently.
You could keep your ears to the ground for anyone scrapping a neoprene diving drysuit with a waterproof "personal zip" fitted to the lower abdomen. (Top tip - wash the zip as it'll have been used for something unpleasant!). If you cut out the short personal zip leaving a wide flange of neoprene you can then use additional neoprene to build a neoprene dry bag which will be waterproof. You need to pad any sharp edges of the drill or other contents of the bag to avoid the bag being punctured. I used to take a Bosch drill through Far Sump in Peak cavern this way (385 m long and 8 m deep; a good half hour swim when heavily loaded) and it never let me down.
An alternative DIY remedy is to make a drill bag from a wagon inner tube (along the lines of the old carbide "pigs" that people used to make for expeditions before proper lamps were invented). One end is cemented permanently shut (best done by compressing it between two sheets of wood in a vice as the glue cures). The open end needs to be significantly longer than the drill such that it can be folded over several times and secured with inner tube loops stretched over it. Again, padding for any projecting drill edges prolongs the life of the inner tube carrier. I've also used these for transporting things through sumps so, in a normal caving situation, it will not leak provided you avoid punctures. Old towels make ghreat5 padding as they soak up any minor leaks of water which may occur. Trawling round any grubby caving hut will normally generate a plentiful supply of nasty old cast off towels.Best thing is this costs nowt.
I've never used Ortleib type waterproof bags but I know people who have and they seem happy with them.
Hope that helps.
The SMWCRT use sections of legs/arms from wetsuits to sleeve the drill body and spare cells. They are then placed in Ortleib dry bags and then into a custom made tackle bag.
Much easier to move through crawls than rigid cases and so far have suffered no damage.
A suitable sized Daren drum with some neoprene packing - in a tackle bag - should serve the same purpose and allow for some drill bits and hangers in the drum if required (loose drill bits wear through tackle bags remarkably quickly).
Jopo
Much easier to move through crawls than rigid cases and so far have suffered no damage.
A suitable sized Daren drum with some neoprene packing - in a tackle bag - should serve the same purpose and allow for some drill bits and hangers in the drum if required (loose drill bits wear through tackle bags remarkably quickly).
Jopo
Pitlamp
Well-known member
If you go for the Ortleib option then lining your tacklebag with a cylinder of thin conveyor belt (or equivalent material) - and a disc on the base, will greatly minimise the chance of puncturing the waterproof bag.
Jopo's suggestion of neoprene padding is good.
(Note to self; if ever I see Jopo approaching with a pair of scissors, hide all wetsuits!)
Jopo's suggestion of neoprene padding is good.
(Note to self; if ever I see Jopo approaching with a pair of scissors, hide all wetsuits!)
Gerbil007 said:
Hmmm, it sounds like it's going to get wet, and get knocked about, whilst enroute to the dig face?
If its a relatively dry cave and you're dig is easy to get to, then using a tackle bag may be sufficient. It'll keep the drips (and mud) off, and the bag straps make for easy carrying (by hand or on the back). This may not be suitable for the cave/dig you're working in, so use discretion.
Pitlamp
Well-known member
If you do opt for a Peli case, you'll need one of the larger ones (expensive). Just check things like whether it'll go in a tacklebag. Also, you'll find it's very buoyant in water - a pain for divers but a possible advantage for swimming cavers as you can use it to stay afloat.
Also check out the "Explorer" cases as they're different internal dimensions from Peli - I believe they're just as good and you may find they have a better size for what you want.
If you go for a Peli - just check the external dimensions of the normal case compared with the "Storm" equivalent. I think the former is considerably smaller overall on the outside with the same internal dimensions (which may make a difference re whether it goes in a tacklebag for pitch hauling).
Good luck!
Also check out the "Explorer" cases as they're different internal dimensions from Peli - I believe they're just as good and you may find they have a better size for what you want.
If you go for a Peli - just check the external dimensions of the normal case compared with the "Storm" equivalent. I think the former is considerably smaller overall on the outside with the same internal dimensions (which may make a difference re whether it goes in a tacklebag for pitch hauling).
Good luck!
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Nigel ,our engineer, found a source for cheap Pelicase style boxes. You will see it on the Reservoir Hole thread. It has worked well over the three years we have used it. For the moment I cannot remember where he got it but I had one as well.
dustyCave
New member
I recently got one of these to protect my new toy.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peli-Storm-Case-iM2100-Black-No-Foam-/331118162036?pt=UK_Camera_Cases_Bags_Covers&hash=item4d182e3074
good price for this model. delivered quickly for free too. no foam but i had some. (edit: not free now ?6.99)
use this site to figure out which case works for your drill.
http://www.waterproof-cases.co.uk/size-guide/
Ive got the Bosch 36v SDS : GBH36v-LI compact.
The case is a bit bulky but was almost perfect fit for the drill with battery on, in it home made mud cover, with 10mm padding all round. + enough room for goggles and a few other essential items.
Room in the lid for the other three batteries.
hope this link is useful.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peli-Storm-Case-iM2100-Black-No-Foam-/331118162036?pt=UK_Camera_Cases_Bags_Covers&hash=item4d182e3074
good price for this model. delivered quickly for free too. no foam but i had some. (edit: not free now ?6.99)
use this site to figure out which case works for your drill.
http://www.waterproof-cases.co.uk/size-guide/
Ive got the Bosch 36v SDS : GBH36v-LI compact.
The case is a bit bulky but was almost perfect fit for the drill with battery on, in it home made mud cover, with 10mm padding all round. + enough room for goggles and a few other essential items.
Room in the lid for the other three batteries.
hope this link is useful.
Speleokitty
New member
My drill lives in one of these.
http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00468/waterproof-tool-box/dp/SG32901
http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/d00468/waterproof-tool-box/dp/SG32901
