This case divides and stands up all the cards so the game can be played straight out of the case with little setup time. It fits the basic game and all current expansions. There is room remaining for further small box sets too.
I'm not a fan of Kingsport Horror, and will remove the peices should another big box set be released by FFG.
Currently the case is missing a carry handle (finding an Antique Copper one that will carry the weight is proving to be difficult) and some form of strap to hold the lid panels closed for transport. All up the thing weighs at least 10kg . I'm just glad I don't carry it around very often!
Come read my Arkham Horror stories on Twitter @ArkhamHorror
Image courtesy of Smizmazmarlemagne
The idea that that case can be opened and game can played immediately definitely appeals to my growing laziness. It looks classy too. Do you have any more detail images?
The hinges and hasps were sourced from Restoration Online ( http://www.restorationonline.com.au/), which is a small Australian store. Good service and nice prices. [If this sort of comment isn't allowed, please let me know]
The case was a total pain in the rear to build. If anyone wants to make one for themselves, let me know and I'll give you some pointers!
This case divides and stands up all the cards so the game can be played straight out of the case with little setup time. It fits the basic game and all current expansions. There is room remaining for further small box sets too.
I'm not a fan of Kingsport Horror, and will remove the peices should another big box set be released by FFG.
Currently the case is missing a carry handle (finding an Antique Copper one that will carry the weight is proving to be difficult) and some form of strap to hold the lid panels closed for transport. All up the thing weighs at least 10kg . I'm just glad I don't carry it around very often!
Oh, Man! Thank you very much for your kind words! But believe me: In my eyes yours looks like the masterpiece to me.
It´s pretty much more organized than mine. Playing Arkham is fun but playing with the shortest possible setup time it is realy great! And your craftsmanship don´t have to hide behind professional work. It looks very good! Hats off!
Nice case. I like the solution with the cards being on a side, so you can play straight out from the case. How do you keep them from falling when you move the box? Same with the chits. I'm in the process of making "travel" storage solution for AH (and i'm sort of crafty challenged person - this will be my first craft project), so stay tuned.
Check the plans he posted above. I reckon those are all the planes he used. Some people do not plan 100% of their tasks just have general idea(and I'm one of them)
Every time I see such a clever and brilliant storage solution I would love to see games like AH coming with a box similar to that by default! I mean - not even tuckboxes or anything, especially for so many cards? Even an insert a la Dominion would be a great improvement. Not only for AH, but for all massive card games!
Note that the end product was slightly different to the plans. The overall size increased slightly, and some of the card slots were shuffled around. In part this was due to my assumption that the divider thickness would be 10mm, but it ended up being 11mm (and I don't have a thicknesser). As little as this seems, once you put in ten of the things, you're looking at a centimetre difference which is quite a lot.
The cards and chits are kept in place by way of a board placed over the top before the lid is closed. The board is then is kept flush with the dividers by a small timber bead running along the inside of the lid (you can just make it out in the above photo).
The photo doesn't show it but each card slot has felt lining along the back so the cards don't get scuffed. In addition to this the top right of the case has a dice cube as the five dice that FFG supply tends to be too few.
Be aware that the case itself is pretty heavy. Once the cards etc are in, this thing is a behemoth to carry!
Since I finished this (with the exception of the handle and lid flap straps as mentioned in my first post) I've got ideas on how to make one a lot more simply and with a better finish. Slotted timber FTW! I'd also have the dividers made of thinner timber (for this one I used 11mm pine, but I reckon I could get away with 4mm ply) which would reduce the size and weight of the box.
Does this mean that I'd make another? Hmm, maybe. My wife will shake her head if I do, that's for sure. The next project is a computer desk, but after that will probably be a custom aluminium case for Doom.
Thanks again everyone for your words and the GG. I'm very humbled.
I'm just wondering... I have a fairly well-equipped woodshop and a reasonable level of woodworking skills. Is there a market for this kind of custom case? If so, how much would folks be willing to pay for this kind of thing? I've drawn up a preliminary list of materials and an estimate of time needed to build something like this (once jigs and templates are made). I think I could bring the time/cost down to a level where I could crank out a few of these per week in my spare time at a relatively reasonable price. I have a magic number in mind, but don't really want to show my hand until I get a feel for the potential market. So, how much would you be willing to pay for something like this?
I'm just wondering... I have a fairly well-equipped woodshop and a reasonable level of woodworking skills. Is there a market for this kind of custom case? If so, how much would folks be willing to pay for this kind of thing? I've drawn up a preliminary list of materials and an estimate of time needed to build something like this (once jigs and templates are made). I think I could bring the time/cost down to a level where I could crank out a few of these per week in my spare time at a relatively reasonable price. I have a magic number in mind, but don't really want to show my hand until I get a feel for the potential market. So, how much would you be willing to pay for something like this?
If I knew that there were to be no more expansions and that this case would be the end-all-be-all storage solution (meaning, it'd store everything that's feasible for all the expansions, and would never be outgrown), I'd be willing to pay, oh, somewhere in the neighborhood of $75-$100 USD for it.
FFG said that, Insmouth is the last big expansion for the game. So we would just need some spare space for more cards and chits. I would pay around a $100 USD and i think this is how much it's worth for something done up to this standard - but on the other hand - i'm making my own storage solution that doesn't require any carpenter skills so i won't buy one probably.
It sounds like we're on pretty much the same page as far as price. However, would premium materials be something you would be willing to pay extra for? What I mean is would you pay a premium for maple or mahogany and fancy hardware or would you prefer to keep it more economical and stick with pine or spruce and cheaper hardware?
It sounds like we're on pretty much the same page as far as price. However, would premium materials be something you would be willing to pay extra for? What I mean is would you pay a premium for maple or mahogany and fancy hardware or would you prefer to keep it more economical and stick with pine or spruce and cheaper hardware?
Hmm, an interesting thought, but, given how much I've already spent on AH itself, I kind of think that I'd prefer to just make this as economical, while still being functional, as possible. So, things like mahogany or nicer woods are really just nice to haves. As long as the thing holds everything in place, and doesn't spring open when I'm carrying it, I think I'd be perfectly happy with spruce or lower-tiered woods.
I mean, sure, having a cool little elder sign branded into the top of the case or something would be cool, but, I'd sooner take function over form in this case (see what I did there?).
It sounds like we're on pretty much the same page as far as price. However, would premium materials be something you would be willing to pay extra for? What I mean is would you pay a premium for maple or mahogany and fancy hardware or would you prefer to keep it more economical and stick with pine or spruce and cheaper hardware?
See - I believe it's down to taste. I would pay extra for high quality. I think the best way to go is to make them to order. Someone wants high quality - will wait 2 weeks and he'll get it, someone else goes for economy? Same, wait till you make it. IMHO In general people who would buy it would pay extra for great quality.
if this was ever a product I could purchase from you. I'd also spring for a little bit of the premium materials for this case! I love the types of wood you mentioned as well as the quality hardware. If everything from the expansions fit as well as some spare room, I would think the market for this would be significant. Especially if this was well finished with a burned in Elder sign logo!
Most game companies with heavily expanded games should make these sorts of travel cases. It adds a certain flair to a collection and thematic mood to game play! I'd settle for less games if my games were more convenient to carry around!
Now I can only imagine how heavy a box I would need for a game like Descent and expansions!
The truly odd thing about all of this is that this shows what people are willing to go through in order to have a Arkham Horror that can not only be organized, but pimped out as well.
I never seen a War of the Ring photo where a consumer went though such trouble. Yet there are quite a few Arkham Horror enthusiasts who did go through the effort and it shows that we want a product like what was offered for the War of the Ring collectors edition.
Arkham Horror collectors edition needs to happen. Plus, its about the only way we will see those sweet prepainted arkham horror figs see the light of public release.
Sadly, it took many years for WotR collectors edition to see public release so I am not going to hold my breath for this.
I think I could bring the time/cost down to a level where I could crank out a few of these per week in my spare time at a relatively reasonable price.
Just a tip: Make one first before you offer the service. I found it to be far more painful than I initially expected. If you can afford to put them together for $100-150 (US) then I'd consider buying one!
Quote:
Well, I am a carpenter, and from what I see there, good work!
I hid the worst of it through "generous" photography... Thanks though!
Crikey! That thing weighs more than my 3-year old! Maybe it would be prudent to build the divider section out of a much lighter wood... Out of curiousity, how much does it weigh empty? (Not that I really expect you to empty it)
I am making my own case as we speak, its a slow process because of my job and other things that need to get done.
My first one that I am making is out of pine, but if it works out well, and future expansions come out (post Lurker) then I will be making another case out of a higher-end wood, maple or oak.
As a gamer, I have a collection of games, and usually, I can get everything to fit in the box they come in (damn you Descent!!) If people are willing to pay for all the expansions (and sleeves for the truly insane people) then a high-end carry case would be something that most people would want, I would be willing to pay up to $200 if it was high quality and sturdy.
I would gladly pay $80 - $100 for one. I would pay a little extra if it were stained, with nice hardware and Elder-sign branded, carved or embossed, especially if the color of felt/velour/velvet lining were my choice. Mahogany would be exquisite, but the weight would make me think twice. I would much prefer a strong, lightweight wood, absolutely!
Honestly, You don't need the exact sizes. What I have done is just got a big piece of paper (the size of the inner case) and AH cards. Then started drawing dividing lines for where I needed cards. Worked for me. If you want to build a case from scratch there are some blueprints in files section of AH.
It sounds like we're on pretty much the same page as far as price. However, would premium materials be something you would be willing to pay extra for? What I mean is would you pay a premium for maple or mahogany and fancy hardware or would you prefer to keep it more economical and stick with pine or spruce and cheaper hardware?
I can tell you I would chunck down $100 for a nice case. I really don't care what type of wood it is made from. As long as it 1. will last 2. looks nice 3. is functional 4. holds sleeved cards because I see no point in buying a nice case and having my cards wear out.
If you can meet all those then sir my money is yours
Deosn´t seem like this Thread is still alive... I would pay up to 150 € for a fine Case like that if there´s Room for the Investigator-Minitaures, too.
Deosn´t seem like this Thread is still alive... I would pay up to 150 € for a fine Case like that if there´s Room for the Investigator-Minitaures, too.
Actually, I'm still planning on making my own version of this case available for sale. The reason I haven't been active in the thread is because I just recently moved and we're still getting settled into the new house. Realistically, the workshop won't be set up until the Spring, so we're probably looking at Summer of next year before I can start cranking these things out.
As for space for miniatures, that wasn't part of the original plan. I think it would make an already large case a little bit too large. The OP stated that the case as he built it, loaded with all the game components, weighed in at 17.1kg. That is with all expansions not including 'Lurker at the Threshold'. To include room for 48 miniatures as well might be pushing it. I'll keep it in mind though, when I'm finishing up my plans. I suppose I could make a version with a deeper case and a minatures tray that you could put in on top of all the other components. Hmmm... now you've got me thinking. Anyways, I will continue to follow this thread and will let everyone know when I'm close to making something available for sale.
WOW! This case is awesome! I just made my own and got on here to see if others had done the same. I see now that you have... This box is very well finished, I'm impressed. Makes me feel sad about mine... Though mine is functional, it won't look like that when the cosmetic touches are put on. Well done! I've got some cool plans for finishing the outside to make it look dirty and evil, I'll post pics when I'm finished.
I would totally pay $75-$100 for a case. I'd go for the more economical route, rather than pay premium for mahogany, if possible.
Here's a suggestion: you could make them available at different prices depending on materials used. For a lower price point, you could even offer an unfinished pine box that the buyer could stain or paint at home. I can't do woodworking to save my life, but I'd love the opportunity to paint and finish a nicely built piece.
You can count me as a customer when you're ready to sell!
You sir, have inspired me. I'm making my own like this as well. Really appreciated that you put up the plans used for making it, as they will make my life so much easier.
If only they could hurry up and release some numbers on the components of Miskatonic Horror to adjust the size...
But once again, pretty damn epic box you got there.
If the case could hold everything (including the minis, cards in sleeves), looked nice, and was functional, then I would be willing to pay as much as $200, maybe even $300
I am with the poster above me. If I could play right out of the case, it had room for all the expansions to date + a little in case of additions, and could handle sleeved cards, then I'd pay up to 2-300 for it. If I needed two, then so be it.
This solution is good if you only play at home, and do not you wear to your friends to play with them. I am about what size box you need to increase if the cards of all the additives together with the addition of Miskatonic will pack the shirts?
Why thank you sah, and thanks for everyone's nice words.
Thanks though!
Maybe it would be prudent to build the divider section out of a much lighter wood... Out of curiousity, how much does it weigh empty? (Not that I really expect you to empty it)
