<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV> As much as I hate to change the subject of alcohol and pianos -- = surely one of the most fertile lines of inquiry in the piano repair business -- I = wonder if anyone has any thoughts on what constitutes the idea tool case (or even = if such a thing exists in any universal sense). = I ask because I've had one in mind for years, after using several = different cases during that time and only being partly satisfied in each = incidence, and then today I suddenly saw it in the Home Depot tool section (while = picking out a DeWalt 7.2 screwdriver, my absolute favorite battery-powered screwdriver = for basic piano screwing in the home -- light, powerful, compact, and the = battery lasts and lasts, despite its modest voltage.  M wife should be so = content :-). The tool case in question is a "CLC" (no idea what that stands for) = -- a soft case of heavy nylon construction. It was advertised as being intended = for electrical tools I should say what I've always been looking for: 1) easy access but = secure fastening for the most commonly used tools -- e.g., tuning hammers, = basic screwdrivers, tuning felt, meter, etc; 2) easy access to other tools; 3) = balance and comfort for carrying and setting down; 4) storage area for larger = items such as flashlight, can of lubricant, battery screwdriver; 5) lightweight and = looks professional. (I'm going to assume that most of you agree with me that = parts and tools should be in separate carrying cases, otherwise you either have = too few of both or a case that weighs about 50 lbs.) = I'd prefer not to open the case to get at my tuning tools. I like = them being accessible from the outside, but prior cases had issues securing tuning wrenches, etc.; I'd rather not remove pallets, etc., to get at tools; = I'd like to have a large variety of well-ordered holding compartments appropriate = for the general size of piano repair tools. This isn't a terribly exhaustive = list, but I think it conveys my basic tastes. The CLC toolcase has two side flaps that when unzipped expose a large = number of nylon tool holding pouches on either side, easily more numerous than = the pallet style tool holders I've previously owned in hard-shell cases; in addition, there are tool pouches on the inside of the flaps themselves. = There are a number of deep pouches on the ends of the case -- placed there to = avoid the imbalances that occur when you store tools on the outsides of a = case, which tend to pull the case open or over on one side. My five tuning wrenches = and some screwdrivers fit neatly into the pouches on both ends of the case. A = quick unzip reveals an array of other useful tools. The deep main compartment in the = toolcase is good for holding the aforementioned larger items. Anyhow, I've gone on long enough. I was just happy to encounter this = case in a random shopping expedition, and thought I'd share it with you. If = anyone's interested, I'd be happy to send photos. I have no idea if technicians = in general are satisfied with their tool cases. I know I've never been -- = until now.  Any alternate suggestions or thoughts would be welcome. Best, JeffO</DIV></BODY></HTML>