ReadyMade {35} MacGyver Winner: Guitar Case

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You jet-setters packed it in with our luggage challenge, creating dog beds, wall shelves, mood lighting, and even a compost bin out of baggage that has seen better days. But the prize goes to Simon Yuen of New York, New York, who transformed a scuffed-up suitcase into a guitar stand that’s equally useful at gigs, band practice, and home.

SUITCASE GUITAR STAND

$30

Suitcase
Carpet scraps or tiles
Carpet adhesive
1 2" x 4" x 8'
Wood screws
24" x 36" x ½" plywood
2 door hinges
2 small hinges
2 1"-long eyebolts with corresponding insert nuts
4 nuts that fit the eyebolts
2 washers
6 eye hooks
3 miniature bungee cords
Small amount of felt
Glue (for securing felt)

Utility knife
Tape measure
Circular saw or table saw
Drill
Pencil
Jigsaw or band saw
Screwdriver

1. Open the suitcase and remove its innards.
2. Use the adhesive to line the interior with carpet. Be sure not to interfere with the closing mechanism of the suitcase.
3. Measure the width of the inside of the suitcase and cut the 2" x 4" into four pieces equal to that width. These will divide the bottom of the case to create slots for the guitars.
4. Wrap the dividers in carpet and secure with adhesive. Use wood screws to attach the carpeted dividers to the inside bottom of the suitcase, spacing them evenly to create slots for three guitars.
5. To create the notched top panel, cut a rectangular piece of plywood that will fit inside the lid of the suitcase with a 2" margin on all sides. Lay the panel on the dividers in the bottom of the suitcase to determine where the notches that hold the guitar necks should go; mark and cut three 2 ½" notches with a band saw or jigsaw. Use the two small hinges and a couple small pieces of plywood to attach the panel to the inside of the suitcase’s lid, so that the panel opens up and out.
6. Cut the side panels from the plywood. Holding the suitcase open at a 90° angle with the top panel in its open and upright position, measure the distance between the top panel and the dividers in the bottom of the suitcase—this is the height of the side panels. Cut the side panels to the same width as the top panel, then use wood screws and door hinges to attach them to the left- and rightmost dividers (the panels will fold down into the bottom of the suitcase).
7. Balance all three panels in their upright position and drill a ¼" hole from the top panel down into each side panel. Secure the insert nuts into the holes.
8. Create two "keys" by fastening a nut, washer, and then another nut onto each eyebolt—these will keep the panels sturdy while the stand is in use. To secure, thread the eyebolt keys through the holes in the top panel into the insert nuts in the side panels.
9. Screw eye hooks into the top panel on both sides of each notch; the bungee cords hook into the eye hooks to keep the guitar necks secure.
10. Line all three notches with felt (to protect the finish on your guitars).
11. Fill your stand with axes, then pick one, plug in, and rock out.

Vampire Weekend, the Raconteurs, CSS, Antibalas, a daily treasure hunt conducted via texting, a vendor village, massage station, on site hairstylist and ReadyMade?! How can you beat that?
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