cutting fabric covered dividers of Lightware Case

[Frank Petronio]

Any ideas/suggestions/experience for cutting the fabric covered dividers of a Lightware View Camera Case? If I enlarge the slot for the monorail camera, not only will the camera ride lower, but I can squeeze a 3-series Gitzo tripod on top!

But I don't want the fabric covered dividers to start unravelling... and I don't know what the core material is? Hot knife? Chainsaw?

[tim atherton]

not sure if they've changed them in recent years - it just used to be corrugated plastic - like Cloropast (sic) with some foam padding and the outer fabric cover.

I just used to use a heavy duty box cutter with fresh blades (they used to have instructions in the catalogue - as they don't ahve a catalogue any more, maybe it's on the website...)

[Doug Dolde]

I use a utility knife to cut them shorter. If you do a notch then it will appear unfinished. You could glue fabric where the notch is to cover the raw hole.

[Tracy Storer]

Straight edge and utility knife. If you cut the bottom of the divider, the whole divider will be lower, and any ugliness of the cut will be hidden at the bottom of the case.

[Frank Petronio]

I need the notch on top larger, not lower. But thanks for the tips.

[Frank Petronio]

For the records:

"Frank,

If you know of someone with a sewing machine, this is best.

The best way to shorten the divider is to open the seam at the bottom of the
divider, then pull out the plastic, and then cut it with a utility knife to
the height that you desire. Then slip the plastic back into the fabric, cut
off the excess fabric (allowing enough fabric to sew a seam) and stitch the
seam.

If you do not have sewing help, use some double sided carpet tape on the
bottom edge of the plastic divider, do not peel of the top backing paper.
Slip the plastic back into the fabric. Once situated, reach under the fabric
and pull off the backing paper off the tape and then firmly press the fabric
down to it. Do the same to the other side. Then trim off the excess fabric.

Good Luck.

Best Regards,

Janine @ Lightware, Inc."

Luckily, my wife is an excellent seamstress, so I can give her a project to do for a change!