Apache 3800 Faux Pelican Case (Harbor Freight) - Now with photos! (2 Viewers)

[chubbyone]

Just grabbed one of these on sale. They have a few sizes available, and initial store inspection shows 4 (wrong, only 3) foam layers.

Edited: it is just one “pluckable” foam layer in the middle.

Top (Egg Crate about 1 1/2”)
Pull and Pick (about 4”)
Bottom (Thin layer about 1”)

Will do a full write up once I get it all setup. (Photo dump below, will review fully after plasti-dip and some use!)

My plan is to have 600 chips, 2 deck setups and room for bounty’s and Dealer buttons. I’ll use this to travel with either of my sets (both 600ct)

 

[justsomedude]

Thanks for this... been looking for these since the December Costco deals!

Do you know which size folks use for storing 1,000? Is it the 14" or the 17"?

 

[TheBigTater]

Let us know how it works for you. Comparable in size to the Pelican 1450 & Members Mark 16" cases, a great size for 600-800 chips. The MM 16" cases have been sold out most everywhere for a while now.

 

[justsomedude]

Let us know how it works for you. Comparable in size to the Pelican 1450 & Members Mark 16" cases, a great size for 600-800 chips. The MM 16" cases have been sold out most everywhere for a while now.

What is needed for 1000? The 20"?

 

[TheBigTater]

What is needed for 1000? The 20"?

I've put 1000-1200 in the MM 20" but it is pretty heavy when loaded down. The 16" size is perfect for an 800 set.

I pretty much have to have a case with wheels once it gets over 800+. Already had 1 hernia surgery.

 

[rowlin]

The 3800 case is about the same size as a Pelican 1450, has decent foam, and the two front latches seem to be solid.

I don’t really need another hard case but will probably grab one anyway at $30.

 

[chubbyone]

Gonna be using the plasti-dip mod on the foam here once I get it all plucked. For anyone not familiar, YouTube plasti-dip foam case.

 

[justsomedude]

Gonna be using the plasti-dip mod on the foam here once I get it all plucked. For anyone not familiar, YouTube plasti-dip foam case.

Genius!!!

Thanks for the tip! (y) :thumbsupy) :thumbsupy) :thumbsup:

 

[rowlin]

Plasti-dipped Apache chip carriers...

Paging Josh on aisle 5!

 

[catalyzeme]

Eagerly waiting for the writeup. I have a couple sets I need to put in a home and looking for a comparably priced alternative to 600 chip birdcages.

 

[Coyote]

I
Already had 1 hernia surgery.

Same here!
Despite that, I just ordered the sturdy but heavy (7+ lbs) Versa DeLuxe 500ct.
If this one isn't only cheaper but lighter too, I just made a wrong move...

 

[TheBigTater]

Genius!!!

Thanks for the tip! (y) :thumbsupy) :thumbsupy) :thumbsup:

Damn that guy used 2 cans per case that's $12 of Plasti Dip per case to add to the cost. Maybe a little overkill, could probably go with maybe 1 can.

Same here!
Despite that, I just ordered the sturdy but heavy (7+ lbs) Versa DeLuxe 500ct.
If this one isn't only cheaper but lighter too, I just made a wrong move...

Yeah nothing like having your groin sliced open to make you respect heavy objects a lot more.

 

[grantc54]

Gonna be using the plasti-dip mod on the foam here once I get it all plucked. For anyone not familiar, YouTube plasti-dip foam case.

Thanks for this! I have several cans of this for when I spent more time playing with my car than my chips. I am going to give this a shot.

Grant

 

[TheBigTater]

Gonna be using the plasti-dip mod on the foam here once I get it all plucked. For anyone not familiar, YouTube plasti-dip foam case.

Thanks, now that I've spent most of my free time today googling Plasti Dip P&P foam videos and reading articles/forum posts about it (who knew?). My bosses are surely amazed at my productivity today.

Will be waiting to read your review/write up but I feel like I'm gonna have to give this a try.

 

[chubbyone]

Thanks, now that I've spent most of my free time today googling Plasti Dip P&P foam videos and reading articles/forum posts about it (who knew?). My bosses are surely amazed at my productivity today.

Will be waiting to read your review/write up but I feel like I'm gonna have to give this a try.

My afternoon too! Haha.

I remember stumbling on that when I first looked at the same club MM cases.

I am gonna try to get the foam plucked tonight, and paint it tomorrow. I’ll document the process.

Cheers!

 

[paul sydney]

Is this treatment necessary? Is the foam a bit too soft?

 

[justsomedude]

Is this treatment necessary? Is the foam a bit too soft?

It's not about softness, it's just a function of the "Pick & Pluck" style foam. Over time, and repeated use of the case (and regular wear and tear), the pluck ""bits" can break off. This essentially changes the "fit" of the case. If enough bits fall out, the case's contents will no longer fit snug/securely.

 

[TheBigTater]

My afternoon too! Haha.

I remember stumbling on that when I first looked at the same club MM cases.

I am gonna try to get the foam plucked tonight, and paint it tomorrow. I’ll document the process.

Cheers!

I also learned more than I ever thought I would ever know about outgassing (add your own jokes here).

When you do this please use proper ventilation & apparently you need to let the painted foam air out for a couple of days before putting it back in the case.

 

[rowlin]

You’re killing me slowly, here, Tater.

 

[justsomedude]

You’re killing me slowly, here, Tater.

Or is he... ?

 

[allforcharity]

Aww, man, did you have to post the Fugees version? Couldn't you have at least done the Roberta Flack?

 

[chubbyone]

This thing is awesome. I have never had a Pelican, so I can't compare to that, but I can tell you its well worth the $35 dollars and you may be able to use additional coupons to get it even lower.

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

 

[chubbyone]

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

Apache 3800 Case by ShaneOhMac, on Flickr

 

[chubbyone]

Full review text will come tomorrow.

Still need to plasti-dip the foam, and decide how to place the 20 bounty chips.

It does close fine despite the last picture, that’s just a resting lid shot. I may add something under the rack section to lift the chips a little, rather than using the inverse racks to add the thickness for a tighter fit.

Also, I left more foam on the bottom edge on purpose, as that will be a weight bearing edge when the case is carried or sitting upright.

Cheers!

Edit: scroll up for pics!

 

[chubbyone]

Been too cold here for any spray painting. Once the weather breaks I’ll get the foam plasti-dipped and comment on that.

The case itself is perfect for my 600ct set needs. Full, it has 600 chips, 9 racks (3 inverted on top), 2 copag 2 deck setups, 2 Dealer Button slots, and 20 bounty chips (to be placed, going to get a tube for them and place it vertically).

I spaced the chip racks to allow for extra thickness on the bottom edge of the case, and spaced the cards furthest away to allow the center foam ridge to be thicker. The thought being that the thicker foam separater will hold up to use better. I also placed the cards up and down on the short edge of their case to minimize foam taken out.

The foam itself is pretty easy to manage, just mock up your layout and mark where to start the edge. I used old cut cards for this! I serpated the foam down the bottom in a single square shape so as to be able to pop it back in and potentially reshape it later if I ever wanted to. (Which is unlikely since this is a perfect freaking chip case now).

I think the box would be perfect for 800 chips in racks with no additional contents. You could squeeze 1000-1200 chips if you used the white Paulson boxes probably. That scenario seems less appealing to me unless your trying to really maximize the space.

The overall construction is solid, it’s not creaky or flimsy or anything like that. The foam on the bottom layer I may eventually replace with something higher density, but that’s being nit picky. I also glued the top egg crate foam to the lid, as it didn’t stay in place.

If I didn’t address anything, or picture anything (unlikely! Ha) just ask!

 

[BGinGA]

Genius!!!

Thanks for the tip! (y) :thumbsupy) :thumbsupy) :thumbsup:

Yeah, gonna have to try this. I have a couple of new cases with uncut foam sitting around.

 

[rowlin]

Epic review is epic. Thank you chubbyone!

Just saw this in the junk mail and thought of my fellow degenerate chip/case freaks.

 

[ruskba]

For anyone that might grab one: my store had four on the shelf, and two had three layers of foam (with one thick plucking layer) and two had four layers (with two medium plucking layers). So it’s worth cracking them open to find what you want.

 

[chubbyone]

For anyone that might grab one: my store had four on the shelf, and two had three layers of foam (with one thick plucking layer) and two had four layers (with two medium plucking layers). So it’s worth cracking them open to find what you want.

This makes me so relieved! I swore, and i mean SWORE I saw one with 4 layers but then I got home and mine only had 3. I went back and edited the first post. I was dumbfounded where i got that notion of 4.

I’ll sleep better tonight.

 

[Nex]

Damn it, 35 dollars... the cheapest 3800 I found was around $110 on eBay including shipping and import taxes... but still $90 without that however.
At those prices... probably wouldn't want to try it myself. Looks nicely compact though if you only want to carry a small set. I have a Pelican 1510 coming my way so transport needs should be covered for a while, but that thing sure is bulky.