Well here I am again, wondering if anyone can help me, I am looking for plans for a closeup case plans, that would have lockable drawers to hold all my cards, cups and balls, chop cup, that has a drawer with slots (spaces for holding my coin effects)is able to be carried and placed on a table, and a working space on the top where a close up mat can be placed to use for show and still have access to the drawers to get the next effect to perform.

Honestly, you are only limited by your imagination!

I would recommend doing this...
1. Figure out how big you would like this case to be. (generally, not much bigger than a briefcase)
2. lay out all of the items you plan to tote around in this case. Try to eliminate extra items you wont use so you don't clutter up your free space.
3. Make a sketch of the configuration of each item as it lays within your (at this point) imaginary close up case. Make not of the rough-measurements.
4. Now start building based on those plans you sketched. (remember: measure twice, cut once!).
5. post pictures for all of us to see your masterpiece!

I hope that helps get you going... and good luck!

-Bryan Gilles

Maybe someone on the Café can dig up the old plans in a Genii Magazine around the late 1960's. A performer named Jan published his Stool close-up case you sat on and it had a place for a tape recorder, and 4 drawers to hold props.

Here are some more ideas on inexpensive close up cases:

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~roy/magictalk-wi......ses.html

:magicrabbit:

I use one of the tool boxes from Home Depot. It works great for me.
I have seen some people modify these to attach to a table base.

The case that I adapted a couple of years ago might possibly suit your needs, it doesn't have drawers and locks, but it could have. The green top shelf is split and has a pair of spring hinges (like those on kitchen units but a bit heavier) which either keep the back of the shelf up, or down, where it closes off the upper compartment.

http://www.johnfcain.com

How much is that case john?

Sorry but I don't sell anything! - I only make stuff for my own use.

The original case probably cost around $25 (possibly less!) The only expense in converting it was a few pieces of wood, some green material and the spring hinges.... and four or five hours work!