The 25 cent iPod temp case! (Pics incl.)

[elnerdo]

Been lurking here for a few days.

My wife surprised me with a G4 40 gig this week; color me very happy.

While she did get me a spare dock (for the office) and the iTrip (which kicks major butt), she forgot to get me a case.

Driving around to the various retail locations here in New Jersey proved to be a waste of time: Most stores didn't have G4 cases at all, and those that did only had a very very limited selection.

Enter ipodlounge.com.

I lurked here a while, read up on a lot of stuff, including the fact that most G4 cases were just now starting to hit the market.

After reading the threads on the homebrew solutions people had come up with, I figured it couldn't hurt to try and make one myself.

So here's the pretty pics:

http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/ipod_1.jpg
1. There she is in all her beauty.

http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/ipod_2.jpg
2. Enter the local fabric store. 12 in x 12 in (30 cm x 30 cm) squares of felt, a rainbow of colors, 25 cents each. Perfect!

http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/ipod_3.jpg
3. My first 30 second attempt. Stapled the bottom tight so the iPod wouldn't scratch up against the staples, refrained from stapling the middle seam for that reason. Not really all that functional.

http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/ipod_4.jpg
4. Found one of my wife's hair-tie things lying around the house. That'll hold it together, without any fear of scratch. Sure, it looks really ghetto, but since it'll be in my pocket all the time, like I care.

http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/ipod_5.jpg
5. Next step, cut a new piece of felt to size, and take a needle and thread and stitch 'er together. Notice the crap sewing job; I lack access to a sewing machine... hand stitched will have to do. Having a sewing machine probably would make this a 2 minute job instead of a 10 minute manual sew. Still, looks not too bad, and fits great, as you can see:

http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/ipod_6.jpg
6. There it is, iTrip exposed. You can turn the seam around, so the back of the iPod is on the same side as the seam, making it a little easier on the eyes.

I've been toying with this idea, I may make up another one just to see how it looks.
http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/ipod_7.jpg
7. An iPod iPod holder... kinda lame, but I've never really cared what other people thought.

So, here's what it'll take for you to make a quick, cheap case while you're waiting for your real G4 case to ship:

- scissors (you should already have these laying around);
- piece of felt (25 cents)
- needle and thread (lying around)
- about 15-30 minutes of cutting and sewing, way less if you have access to a sewing machine.

Overall, I'm pretty happy about it. It'll keep me from scratching up my iPod until the case I want is available.

Thoughts?

Before you click that reply button: I KNOW IT'S GHETTO. THAT'S THE POINT.

[FlyOrDie]

Here here! For 25 cents id gladly order one off ya for a buck :D It looks like itll provide descent protection from scratches (not sure about falls though) And the felt shoudlnt scratch the ipod great job!:cool:

[elnerdo]

Originally posted by FlyOrDie
Here here! For 25 cents id gladly order one off ya for a buck :D It looks like itll provide descent protection from scratches (not sure about falls though) And the felt shoudlnt scratch the ipod great job!:cool:

Heck, if I had a sewing machine, I'd make a bunch up and sell em for $2.00 a piece, plus postage to wherever you are.

I'll see if I can't find a sewing machine to borrow for a few days, if there is some interest in it.

[HISpod]

^cant u just use an envelope :P

[Xavier]

###est thing ive ever seen. if ur that cheap just go witha iskin. and lol if u were to srop that thing with that on it would eb the same if u dropeed it without it on. and why r u showin this to us, ur proud of urself right :rollseyes:

[elnerdo]

Originally posted by HISpod
^cant u just use an envelope :P

Of course. That would be how I would do it, if anyone really wanted one.

But of course, the point of saying that was that postage within the US is less than it would be to Canada, the UK, Australia, etc.

I wouldn't expect postage to be more than a buck.

Of course, I'm curious how many people would want one.

If someone really does, just send me a message and I'd be happy to make one.

[elnerdo]

Originally posted by Xavier
###est thing ive ever seen. if ur that cheap just go witha iskin. and lol if u were to srop that thing with that on it would eb the same if u dropeed it without it on. and why r u showin this to us, ur proud of urself right :rollseyes:

Don't you have anything better to do?

Since you are unable to READ the post:

4th Gen iSkins are JUST SHIPPING NOW. There is currently a 7-10 day back order as of right now.

Black Contour cases are not expected to ship until the 13th of Sept.

I made this because I wanted to use my iPod right now and didn't want it to get scratched up in my pocket. I never mentioned anything about drop protection.

Go p|$$ on someone else's thread, jerk.

[honeybee1236]

Welcome to the lounge. Personally I would have turned it inside out so that the sewn edges would be on the inside. I could not tell from the last pic if you actually did that or not. Good job though. :)

[elnerdo]

Originally posted by honeybee1236
Welcome to the lounge. Personally I would have turned it inside out so that the sewn edges would be on the inside. I could not tell from the last pic if you actually did that or not. Good job though. :)

Yeah, it's just your "typical internet f*&kwad" behaviour.

While I was typing out the post, I'd already designed the 3rd gen case... two pieces, sewn and turned inside out... like a t-shirt.

The best part about it is, it's dirt cheap to make another! :D

[crocky]

lol elnerdo, that is the funniest thing I've ever seen! :D
(last pic)

I love it! Do you mind if I use it too? You can also use those colored arts & crafts foam for the iPod face. That might offer some more protection.

heh heh

[jonnyyellow]

haha.. thats pretty nice!!!... i am to lazy to do that for now.. even though i have the time... i just use three tissues and wrap the ipod up... hehe

[Galley]

That last one is a riot! :D

[elnerdo]

Originally posted by crocky
lol elnerdo, that is the funniest thing I've ever seen! :D
(last pic)

I love it! Do you mind if I use it too? You can also use those colored arts & crafts foam for the iPod face. That might offer some more protection.

heh heh

I'm glad you enjoy it. I thought it was a cheap way to protect my pod from getting scratched.

Of course you can use it. That's why I shared it.
I made a new one last night, it looks much better.
Took 2 pieces of felt, sewed 3 sides, then turned it inside-out as suggested. Looks much better.

Then I sewed a button to the middle of the front and sewed a flap to the other side. Cut a hole in the flap for the button, and a small slit in the top for headphones/iTrip.

Sure, it's really campy looking, but I'm so terrified of scratching the thing, that this'll have to do until Contour ships black cases.

I'll post a pic later this morning.

[elnerdo]

Originally posted by Galley
That last one is a riot! :D

Glad you got a kick out of it. I thought it was pretty amusing.

[crazy_azz_mat]

well at the rate iSkin is kickin out the new G4 cases its gonna be a wait for me to get my case so ill be interested in yours for the meantime :D...my poor baby without a case :( its unthought of

[elnerdo]

Originally posted by crazy_azz_mat
well at the rate iSkin is kickin out the new G4 cases its gonna be a wait for me to get my case so ill be interested in yours for the meantime :D...my poor baby without a case :( its unthought of

You're from the tee dot? Just moved to NYC from there.

PM me your address, I'll mail you one. Consider it a gift.

[elnerdo]

Okay, as promised, here's the 2nd gen el-nerdo el-cheapo case.

Stitched a little better, with a flap to protect the top.

I think I'll head to the fabric store and maybe try to make one out of something a little stronger... maybe I'll try vinyl with a felt lining or something.

http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/gen2_1.jpg
http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/gen2_2.jpg
http://www.elnerdoricardo.com/ipod/gen2_3.jpg

[stevelam]

wtf. i might as well stick it in a sock

[wuballin]

I think the idea rocks. Right now I am also having trouble keeping the back of my ipod smudge-free. It seems like anyway I try to clean it, it just gets dirtier!

[perfmode]

If you actually put more time into that, they could sell. A lot of people would love that look.

[elnerdo]

Originally posted by Infin1te
If you actually put more time into that, they could sell. A lot of people would love that look.

Well, I think I'll make a couple extra and see if anyone on here wants one. Stay tuned!