Custom Shorts Box

[KnightsAnole]

It was a little emasculating, I will admit, pulling my measly Cohiba short out of my now, seemingly massive, Peter James case. It just didn’t feel right… In fact, I’m not sure when the next time I’ll stuff my PJ case to the brim with fat Cuban cigars. Another casualty of the pricing assault. So I was fiddling around and finally came up with this.

 

Aside from the plastic molded box and snakeskin belly, it’s all made from Cuban box parts inside and out. Will hold up to 14 shorts. All held together with marine grade epoxies, resins and sealants.

 

I had fun making it so I’m making a 3 finger petite corona or smaller case now….

A couple other things; the lighter insert is lined with felt and the inner flap on the lid is lined with 2 sections of banding from a Upman Noellas jar. The numbered plate comes off a box of boli poderosos. Edit Also the hinge is off a box of Mercaderes and the warranty seal was lifted from a 5er petaca of Chicos. Also the lid is magnetic.

[RDB]

Really great! Love the snakeskin. Bet it feels really good in the hand.

[cgoodrich]

@KnightsAnole, that is an outstanding piece you’ve created! 👏👏👏

[KnightsAnole]

1 hour ago, RDB said:

Really great! Love the snakeskin. Bet it feels really good in the hand.

It does feel great in hand, on the front, I padded the skin with .3mm felt paper and the rear I did not. I’m surprised how much of a difference that ultra thin padding makes. It raises the texture of the skin just a bit, but, that bit adds a quite a big visual and tactile difference in hand.

 

[Sup3r6]

Absolutely fantastic mate.

[KnightsAnole]

Thanks guys!
Couple other small details at the bottom of the front and rear, I used the section of a standard clasp that holds the pin on which the clasp pivots. Once I removed the pin. I installed a section of a 2.5mm thick, black silicone rubber o-ring, from behind. This gives a nice curve and acts as a bumper so when the case is lying flat in either side, the skin doesn’t touch the surface. 
 

the bottom is 1/8” thick neoprene  rubber with a section of the box stamp, cut out sanded and shaped,  in-laid, epoxied and and the border was made with 18gauge braided copper wire.

The hinge itself is recessed into the plastic box wall and epoxied. the hinge ‘screws’ are decapitated, brass plated, oval nail heads. The oversized look was intentional as it also works as a hinge stop, so the lid doesn’t slam all the way back. 
 

hidden magnets behind the clasp on the lid, keep the box from opening and gives a nice “snap” into place when shutting.

the plate on top is wrapped in braided copper wire, and has several coats of dripped clear epoxy to build  a dome-which creates a nice lensing effect in the light.

 

edit- and the sides are all made from standard 2 and 3 prong hinges,  grinded and shaped

[NicPac]

Wow! That is so cool!!!

[Hollywood Ninja]

Man, that looks heirloom quality! Would be so cool to commission something that.


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[KnightsAnole]

37 minutes ago, Hollywood Ninja said:

Man, that looks heirloom quality! Would be so cool to commission something that.

Haha thanks, it was actually my first design and I built sitting on the couch watching tv. I changed so much as I went along, so pieces were placed removed replaced and destroyed in the process. so basically, this one isn’t quite heirloom yet... Like I put the rubber on the bottom first, then I thought it needed some bling and wrapped it in copper wire and then I thought about the inlay. So doing things backwards like that is 10 times more difficult and takes 10 times longer. So I’m making another version now but this time I know what I’m making in advance lol

 

 

 

[KnightsAnole]

This time I’ve extended the box and installed the hinge first. (Last time I didn’t get the idea to intstall the hinge until after it was nearly done). This will be a 3 finger PC or smaller case. It measure 5 3/8”H on the interior compartment. Pretty sure I’ll use the skin on top for this one.