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From: DaveC on 20 Feb 2010 03:55
> How big or large is the fluke 87?
>
> Bob AZ

8.25" x 4" x 2.25"

Plus room for a few sets of test probes.

From: Jeff Liebermann on 20 Feb 2010 13:19
On Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:50:19 -0800, DaveC <invalid(a)invalid.net> wrote:

>I've got a new 87 and I want to get a protective case for it.
>Fluke wants $35 for what amounts to a piece of pleather and a zipper.
>Let's just say I don't want to pay it, and leave it at that.
>
>Who can come up with a cross-purpose case (ie, made for PSP or Wii or such)
>that will work for an 87 and a few sets of test probes that's either cheaper
>or has more features (extra pockets? more padding? hard shell?) than the
>Fluke for the same $$ ?

I'm sure you can find something wandering around the local purse
department of your local store. Lots of extra pockets for storing
probes, clamp-on ampsguesser, spare fuses, Hi-V probe, etc. However,
it will probably cost more than the stock case. So, try the local
thrift shop. They usually have a box of old purses.

I've had to make my own cases a few times. I usually start with heavy
cotton canvas or calendared waterproof canvas. Old tent and
upholstery scrap will also work. For padding, I sometimes include a
sheepskin layer (or just bubble pack). If I want it to last, I sew it
together with a sewing machine. (I was a mechanic at my fathers
lingerie factory). If I'm in a rush or the material is too thick to
sew effectively, I glue it together with contact cement and plenty of
pressure with a wood clamps. For closure, forget about using snaps
and just glue on some Velcro.

If you're really cheap and lazy, cut a piece of 2x4 (wood) to
approximately the size of your Fluke 87. Add scrap wood to build up
lumpy areas. Find something about the same volume as the probes. Wrap
in cellophane plastic. That's your mold form. You have many options:

1. Make a 2 part plaster of Paris casting and you'll have a very
heavy, rugged, cheap, and strong case. Put hinges on it the two
halves to make it look professional. Urethane foam (or fence post
compound) can also be used. For extra strength, use concrete mix.

2. Cover the wood mold with plastic, plastic weave cloth, blue tarp
material, or whatever material you can find. Slop some glue on top to
hold it in place. Don't worry about being neat here. Add some foam
rubber of padding. Cover the foam with a neat looking cloth or
plastic outer cover. Use contact cement to hold it together.

3. Find a wood shop that has a pattern tracer. Give them the
simulated wooden Fluke 87 and have them gouge you out a 2 part case
with hinges. Use green felt for wear protection. If the shop wants
too much money to for the pattern tracing job, do it yourself with a
router.

4. You can also build a suitable box out of heavy duty corrugated box
cardboard. Not the stuff you find behind the market, but the really
heavy duty industrial strength stuff. Make an outline pattern to
follow with the Fluke 87. Get a razor knife, cut a hole in each sheet
of cardboard, and build up a box to surround the Fluke 87, gluing the
layers together. Green felt should make it look presentable.

Anyway, if you can't use your wallet to protect your DVM, use your
imagination.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl(a)cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
From: [SMF] on 20 Feb 2010 19:41
On 2/19/2010 2:50 PM, DaveC wrote:
> I've got a new 87 and I want to get a protective case for it.
>
> Fluke wants $35 for what amounts to a piece of pleather and a zipper.
>
> Let's just say I don't want to pay it, and leave it at that.
>
> Who can come up with a cross-purpose case (ie, made for PSP or Wii or such)
> that will work for an 87 and a few sets of test probes that's either cheaper
> or has more features (extra pockets? more padding? hard shell?) than the
> Fluke for the same $$ ?
>
> It's thinking beanie time!
>
> Thanks.
>

I always kept mine in a Fluke C20 hard case. There is a storage
compartment built into the case and you can kick them around quite
a bit without damaging them.


From: DaveC on 20 Feb 2010 23:29
> I always kept mine in a Fluke C20 hard case.

But it's not an 87 is it?

I like the small-ish size of the C20. But the one that fits the 87 is closer
to a full-on suitcase.

> There is a storage
> compartment built into the case and you can kick them around quite
> a bit without damaging them.

From: John Ferrell on 21 Feb 2010 13:44
On Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:50:19 -0800, DaveC <invalid(a)invalid.net> wrote:

>I've got a new 87 and I want to get a protective case for it.
>
>Fluke wants $35 for what amounts to a piece of pleather and a zipper.
>
>Let's just say I don't want to pay it, and leave it at that.
>
>Who can come up with a cross-purpose case (ie, made for PSP or Wii or such)
>that will work for an 87 and a few sets of test probes that's either cheaper
>or has more features (extra pockets? more padding? hard shell?) than the
>Fluke for the same $$ ?
>
>It's thinking beanie time!
>
>Thanks.
Targus used to make a good selection of such cases very inexpensive.
I have been unable to find aything to carry my Palm Pilot on my belt
for several years.... Good Luck!
John Ferrell W8CCW
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