[TPIN] cases with wheels

[William Ash]

Mike (Vax) et al,

I've had some durability issues with the ProTec Mike Vax case as well. I 
got mine in the fall of 2004 and have been using it daily ever since. In my 
case, one of the zipper handles broke off, and one end of the zipper itself 
has come unsewn, so I need to be careful when I open the case or else the 
zipper slider comes right off, and I have to spend time re-threading it to 
get it back on. There's also a spot where the zipper teeth have separated 
from the backing strip.

None of the zipper issues are show-stoppers, and I can (and do) deal with 
them. Worse, in my view, is that the wheels were not mounted straight and 
parallel, so they have worn unusually fast. (I don't use the wheels all 
that often, but when I do, it's often on pavement, which of course is 
pretty abrasive.) Unfortunately, nothing about the wheels looks readily 
adjustable, repairable, or replaceable.

I don't mean to complain here, but rather to provide an answer to Mike's 
inquiry as to what might have happened to one of the ProTec cases. (Another 
answer, as I did not make the original comment.) Actually, I like the case, 
and I think it's a great deal for the money. I got mine at Dillon for 
something like $115. Compare that with prices on some of the other cases 
out there -- Wiseman, Fanfare, Marcus Bonna, Raw Brass, Walt Johnson, etc. 
Maybe $100+ for a case that will last, say, 5 years, isn't a bad deal 
compared to a $300 or more (much more, sometimes) for a case that may or 
may not last 3 times as long. When my Vax case wheels are finally worn down 
to the axle (or actually, to the depth of the fender around them) and it 
doesn't roll anymore, I will definitely consider getting another of the 
same model. But I'll look at some more expensive ones, too, and see what 
seems to make the most sense in light of my needs and finances at that time.


Bill Ash


>In a message dated 5/11/2007 4:37:50 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
>sopranoman at provide.net writes:
>
>I really liked my ProTech  Mike Vax model but it just
>didn't hold up too well.  I need durability  (endurance?).


>At 10:52 AM 5/11/2007 -0400, Vaxtrpts at aol.com wrote:
><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>Gee, I would sure like to know what you did with it?  Everyone I know  who
>has gotten one has loved it and they have lasted just fine.