Just wondering if anyone knows where to get a carry case for a skywatcher 1145 newtonion scope at a reasonable price, or as I suspect I will have to 'cowboy' one up myself
You can buy the official Skywatcher cases but they cost a fortune. Speak to Bern at Modern Astronomy, he can source one for you.
Alternatively try Alibaba or Dealextreme.
If not, good old eBay or Amazon will do.
My Meade came from the US of A in a cardboard box filled with expanding foam in a plastic bag (one top, one bottom). That lasted ages. I never use a case for my Meade for travel, I've had it since 2006 and always carry it on the car seat either in the front strapped in with a coat over it or on the back seat wedged with coats or whatever when going to a DSC. The car has padding and suspension.
If you really want one size up plastic storage boxes and get some closed-cell foam. A lot of people use plywood to make a suitable box. Tons of ideas on the web.
Plenty of places you can get free pallets too and if you've got access to a planer and table saw you can make some really nice wooden boxes out of those.
I back up Duncans point and go for expanded polystyrene.
Quote from: MarkH on Jul 30, 2014, 21:33:55
I back up Duncans point and go for expanded polystyrene.
Is that a double entendre?
Quote from: MarkH on Jul 30, 2014, 21:33:55
I back up Duncans point and go for expanded polystyrene.
What is expanded polystyrene?