Tutorial to make your own 4G iPod case

[danbrowne]

Hi,

I have a 20GB 4G iPod on order, but i have noticed that nowhere seems to sell a case compatible for it, so i decided to make one myself. While i was doing it, i decided i would make a tutorial for all the good people here on the iPodlounge forums! :D

So anyway, in the picture below, you can see the shape of the template i have used. All the measurements for the lengths of the sides are in red text (the bottom measurement at the pointy bit is slightly unclear, it says 1.2cm!).

Basically all you have to do is buy some arts/crafts foam (i am going to use some that's black, about 3mm thick, so it contrasts with my ipod), once you have the foam, use a biro to mark out this shape on the foam.

Once you've done that, cut it all out (preferably using a craft knife for accuracy), remembering to cut the slit for the flap that closes the case, and also cutting out the tow little 1cm sqaures marked on the picture.

Then, just put some glue on the yellow areas marked on the picture of the foam shape, and the bring them to their coressponding areas on the lower part of the shape (indicated by the blue arrows, do this with BOTH sides obviously!)

Now you should have a 3 sided pouch type thing, that if you have measured correctly, will allow a 20GB 4G ipod to snugly fit into. Then you just use the pointed bit on the flapto push into the slit to keep the pouch closed.

Obviously, as you can see their is no headphone, dock connector, screen or clickwheel holes in my template, (i couldn't add these as i don't have my ipod yet to work from to get the sizes/positions), so feel free to add these in yourself. My suggestion would be use a holepunch for the headphone cable to get a neat hole.

I hope you like this tutorial, and that you have fun making these cases, but please bear in mind they wont offer as much protection as some of the metal ones out there, and it is basically designed to keep it from getting scratched and that's about it.

I will post a pic of my paper version (without all the holes) as a guide of what it should look like.

Your success rate with making this case will depend or your measuring, cutting and gluing abilities, you have been warned!

Dan

[danbrowne]

here's the finished picture of the paper version

[danbrowne]

Update: My iPod arrive this morning, and i have spent today making a case, the pic below shows what it looks like finished!

Note: I used bostik contact adhesive to glue it together, this glue is quick and easy to use. The holes i have made in the foam where not measured, and were made by trial and error, so you just have to do it bit by bit. I have also slipped in a piece of stiff acetate to protect the screen and clickwheel from scratches.

A have a couple of improvements to make on my template above: the 14.2cm length shown on the picture, should be 15.2cm, this way the overlap of the flap is bigger. Also, if you want to make your case less of a snug fit, just increase the 6.1cm distance to around 6.5cm.

Any questions, let me know!

Dan

[ehscrewdude]

Maybe if you just waited for a week or two there would be cases that are a ##### load better than yours. Ever think about that? Have patience.

[danbrowne]

Look mate, there's no need to start getting arsey with me. It just designed this case so my ipod wouldn't get scratched up while i was waiting for proper ones to come out, did YOU ever think about that??

Whilst i was designing it, i decided i would also actually bother to put the time and effort into writing a tutorial for these forums, seeing as they have been a great help the last couple of weeks for me when i have been researching ipods!

Grante, this isn't supposed to be an amazing case, but perhaps maybe before you start slagging off my attempt at a 4G case, i could see YOUR attempt at designing and building one.

Just my 2p,

Dan

P.S. I would welcome any more CONSTRUCTIVE CRITISIM from ipodloungers in response to my case design, and also like to hear if anyone has attempted making one!

[kloan]

I think it would look better if you only cut holes for the wheel and the screen.. nice job though :)

[danbrowne]

Hi there,

Thanks for the input. I originally did that, but I have a bad cold today, and i messed up cutting the top of the wheel hole cos i was feeling crappy, so i had to change it, but never mind.

[afalconsvick]

It looks good and not sloppy perfect!

[AndyH]

Nice job Dan, looks outstanding for a homemade case!

[Optimize]

Looks good. How does it feel when you charge/update it (and the HD runs a lot)?

[danbrowne]

Hi Optimize,

It doesn't get that hot actually. I think it's because the 3mms of foam absorbs any excess heat given off by the iPod's HD etc.

I might make another one sometime, as i have loads of spare foam left!

Any more questions, feel free to ask!

Dan

[Doug Gilmour]

Great job there. Good to see there some creative Loungers out there that try to help others out. :)

Posted by ehscrewdude

Wait a while?

Maybe if you just waited for a week or two there would be cases that are a ##### load better than yours. Ever think about that? Have patience.

Ehscrewdude there's no reason to respond like that. He is just trying to help those Caseless 4Gers out.

-Dan

[enjoilax]

Have you thought about a clear protecitve screen addon for it?

Also: is there any cushioning inside the case...? That might be a good idea.

[danbrowne]

enjoilax,

The open part of the case already has a clear protective screen, it just doesn't show up in the picture (i just used a piece of Overhead Projector transparency sheet). Also, since the case is made of 3mm thick foam, i think it has sufficient cushioning.

Thanks for the praise and questions!

[danbrowne]

I was wondering if anyone else apart from me has attempted making a case from this tutorial yet?

[danbrowne]

Hi there,

Another update for you all, yesterday i made a 2nd version of my case, this time all the seams that go the length of the ipod are now on the BACK of the case.

I have also worked out distances and sizes of the holes for the screen, clickwheel, dock connector and headphone jack, so if anybody is interested in knowing how to do the 2nd version, post it on here, and i will get a 2nd tutorial done!

Dan

[RedNewt]

Haven't used your design, but made my own using some soft fabric. It will do to prevent scratches until real cases come out.

[ack389]

great job on the case, it's good to see someone is creative and constructive. Also, Ehscrewdude, I really just can't comprehend why you would say something so stupid andcruel, you just look like a damn fool.

[bakemen80]

From the pics it looks as good as a Marware case! Nice job! :)

[Joshdude]

Hey man, that's awesome. If I had a 4G, I'd use it. Thanks for thinking of us other iPodders. Who knows, maybe you'll start a case company someday and actually give us a good-looking and functional iPod case. There seems to be shortage of these at the moment.

[stinkiedmb]

nice work, pal.

ipods bring out the creativity in the owner. example: you, me. check my sig for my stuff.

i should really consider keeping mine in a case more often. i was just on a camping trip with it, and now it has a new scratch on the back, as well as a huge 1"x1" scrape on the screen. looks like i need to place an order at ipodcleaner.com

Jason :)

[Shadow Skill]

I think it's pretty cool that you took the initiative on this one although I probably would have waited until I saw good cases from Vaja or someone else to come out before even ordering my Ipod, I learned my lesson from the first Ipod I recieved that bad boy got a scratch on the screen despite my best efforts to protect it while debating whether to even get a case. In the end I went with a black flip case from Vaja cases and I can tell you that I no longer have any problems with supposedly oversensitive buttons as I make use of the belt clip and no longer need to feel around in my pockets for the Ipod like I did when I first got mine. :)

[danbrowne]

To bakemen80,

Yeah, I noticed it looks a bit like a marware case after i built it, lol, just incase anyone's wondering, i never intended it to be a copy of a marware case, as i'd never seen one until i spotted the advert banner on the right ->.

[dhruvb11]

Originally posted by danbrowne
enjoilax,

The open part of the case already has a clear protective screen, it just doesn't show up in the picture (i just used a piece of Overhead Projector transparency sheet). Also, since the case is made of 3mm thick foam, i think it has sufficient cushioning.

Thanks for the praise and questions!



I dont want to be mean or any thing...... but i did the same thing to my 3 g iPod.( Put a Overhead projector transparency) totaly scratched up my iPod. If i were you i would remove it and look at the overhead wery carefully. You will see little plastic dots. (they scratch up the iPod.) mines totaly scratched.


P.S. I just got a new 4g and wont be doing that again

[danbrowne]

Hi,

Yeah, i thought about that about an hour after i put it in, luckily, there are no scratches on the front caused by it, although there are two tiny scuff marks along the edge of the plastic on the front where it meets the metal, but im sure i can get my dad to use a tiny bit of brasso if i really want to get them out.

But yeah, this is a notice to everyone: DON'T USE OHT SHEETS AS A PROTECTIVE SCREEN!!!

Sorry i forgot to mention this before!!!!! :(

[Dunadan]

Warning

I just got a 4g and decided to make a case for it. It was made of leather and was tight fitting. The problem with custom tight-fitting cases is that THEY SCRATCH THE SURFACE. I stuck mine in and immediately came out with many many fine scratchs along both sides. Unless you are using material that is utra fine do not make your own tight-fitting case. I imagine that this foam design would work well if you kept it quite loose. If you need to stretch the foam to get the Pod into it, itll scratch.

Right now Im doing a makeshift shell like they sell on trendygeek.com using pda screen protectors. Ill tell you how it goes.

[danbrowne]

Nice to hear other people are experimenting,

All i can say is that, with the measurements i've given, the case should be just tight enough to keep the ipod inside without falling out, and my case that I made stretched a bit anyway through taking the ipod in and out, and there has been no scratches caused by it whatsoever, and that includes the notorious silver back!

[danbrowne]

Hi,

I have not been on the forums for a while, and I was wondering if anyone else has attempted to make a case based on my design?

[jonnyyellow]

okay.. so i tried to make the case on paper... but i think i totally messed up.... i wasnt trying very perfict .. it came out okay... but your idea was GREAT dan!!:)

[wuballin]

I'g give you 5 bucks plus shipping if you mailed me one of your case protectors :) Im serious too.

[danbrowne]

wuballin,

I live in the UK, it'd be quite a bit for shipping i think. get back to me!

[dotcom173]

here are some pics of the one i made last night. required a buttload of sewing and i/my mom sewed some pieces of velcro for the flap. it actually turned out pretty well. its just supposed to be a makeshift case until i get either a lajo or iskin. here u go. and theres a piece of green foam to protect the screen and back. i had a buttload of colors of foam, but green is hot.

[dotcom173]

another

[mitchakaipodboy]

i just bought a case not even made for an ipod, it was only 5 bucks!!!! it fits perfect..heres a pic...

[danbrowne]

dotcom173,

Cool case! I really like the green foam. I was wondering; did you design it yourself, or did you use my plans? :D

[dotcom173]

designed it myself. i just saw this thread the day after i made it. its actually not my original plan. it was supposed to be a lot thicker and a little bit different. but, what happened was that i didnt have enough of this fake leather crap lyinbg around. but, i wasnt sure if it would be enough or not. so i tried, and ended up not having enough on the sides to sew together. so i had to tweak my idea a little bit. originally, there was going to be another sheet of leather on the inside, so the foam wouldnt be seen. but, ya, not enough leather around the house. and i didnt wanna buy any. it turned out pretty well. i wasnt expecting it to be this good. i would post plans or a tutorial to make it also, but i have no idea how i did it. lol

[enjoilax]

Originally posted by dotcom173
here are some pics of the one i made last night. required a buttload of sewing and i/my mom sewed some pieces of velcro for the flap. it actually turned out pretty well. its just supposed to be a makeshift case until i get either a lajo or iskin. here u go. and theres a piece of green foam to protect the screen and back. i had a buttload of colors of foam, but green is hot.

Now you need a space for where you can see the screen and use the controls, and a space for your headphones. Then you are truly done. :D

[dotcom173]

haha, ya. i wanted to put the holes in there for the screen and wheel, but i dont wanna mess it up. maybe when i get bored one of these days, and feel like messing things up. lol. i love those days. but i usually mess up something important, and regret it later.

also dan, i wish i had seen ur tutorial before i did this. woulda helped me out a lot. nice job on it too.