A Case for Astronomy

Fine Woodworking Products for the Amateur Astronomer 

Handmade eyepiece cases for the discriminating amateur astronomer...

Grab-N-Go Eyepiece Case:

     There are times when a small collection of eyepieces is sufficient, especially when you are just going out for a quick grab and go session in the back yard.  That was the inspiration behind my Grab & Go eyepiece case.  At approximately 8” by 6”, it can safely carry seven 1 ¼” standard telescope eyepieces, from today's modern large wide fields to smaller Plössls and Abbe Orthos.  The top is made from American Walnut inlaid with the Orion constellation, a personal favorite.  The red supergiant, Betelgeuse, is made from Honduran Mahogany; Rigel, the blue supergiant, is from Holly and the Great Orion Nebula is of Zebrawood.  The eyepiece case is finished in gloss spar polyurethane to give a little moisture resistance on those evenings with exceptional dew.  


     However, if your favorite constellation or asterism is different, a gloss finish is not your cup of tea, or would prefer another hardwood background, or another eyepiece layout... any custom modification can be made at your request, it may cost a little more depending on request and how exotic the wood you choose, but I'll do my best to economically accommodate your needs.  Eyepieces & equipment shown are not included.  The most common requests are for 8 eyepieces and a different constellation.  These requests should only take a couple of weeks to finish.  Drop a note in the buy it now or contact me:  [email protected].



"I purchased a small eyepiece case from Jamie.  The case is exquisitely hand-crafted and so beautiful!!  Great service too with speedy shipping.  Thank you so much for a fantastic transaction.  Jamie does excellent work."   Virginia in Florida


$69.99 + Shipping ($14 in the CONUS, $19 to Canada, $35 to the rest of the Universe)

  • The Orion constellation inlayed in American Walnut; Betelgeuse is Honduran Mahogany, Rigel is American Holly and M42 is Zebrawood.
    The Orion constellation inlayed in American Walnut; Betelgeuse is Honduran Mahogany, Rigel is American Holly and M42 is Zebrawood.
  • The case is large enough for today's larger wide field eyepieces, and a collection of smaller eyepieces.
    The case is large enough for today's larger wide field eyepieces, and a collection of smaller eyepieces.
  • The standard 3x4 eyepiece arrangement, but 3x3 and 4x4 can be made upon request.
    The standard 3x4 eyepiece arrangement, but 3x3 and 4x4 can be made upon request.
  • Hinge Detail
    Hinge Detail
  • Latch Detail
    Latch Detail
  • Foot Detail
    Foot Detail
  • The Pleaides (M45) - Maple on Walnut
    The Pleaides (M45) - Maple on Walnut
  • After being out observing a few weeks ago, I was amazed by the variety of colors of stars in the constellation of Gemini represented here with white (Holly), yellow (Pine), orange (Osage Orange) and red (Mahogany).
    After being out observing a few weeks ago, I was amazed by the variety of colors of stars in the constellation of Gemini represented here with white (Holly), yellow (Pine), orange (Osage Orange) and red (Mahogany).
  • One of the most recognizable asterisms, The Big Dipper, notice Mizar & Alcor.
    One of the most recognizable asterisms, The Big Dipper, notice Mizar & Alcor.
  • They can also be made from oak veneered plywood for a darker "baseball glove" colored eyepiece case.
    They can also be made from oak veneered plywood for a darker "baseball glove" colored eyepiece case.
The Orion constellation inlayed in American Walnut; Betelgeuse is Honduran Mahogany, Rigel is American Holly and M42 is Zebrawood.
The Orion constellation inlayed in American Walnut; Betelgeuse is Honduran Mahogany, Rigel is American Holly and M42 is Zebrawood.
 
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Standard Field Eyepiece Case:


     A reasonable sized 14 1/2" x 9" eyepiece case for 1 1/4" x 2" telescope eyepieces plus accessories, this is a great sized eyepiece case for the field.  The Standard Field Eyepiece Case is made from furniture grade plywood, topped with American Walnut with the Constellation of your choice, has Italian leather handles on the side and is finished with spar polyurethane.  I find this case particularly effective when used on longer evening out with my Dobsonian or Schmidt Cassegrain as the number of eyepieces available and storage keeps me prepared for whatever the skies have to offer.  The storage compartment below the removable eyepiece rack can easily house diagonals, visual backs, barlows, filters, collimators, etc...



$200 + Shipping    I am no longer going to offer these for the time being, COVID-19 has made it difficult to source materials and my work and family has taken a priority for the moment.


 

Planetary Eyepiece Case

Between making my standard Grab-N-Go, Field and custom cases; I occasionally get the urge to build something for me...  Something experimental, a little different and creative with materials and hardware that are a little more exotic and of higher quality.    The current 8 position case is just the right size for 8x Plössls, Abbe Orthos or Monocentrics; the carcass is constructed out of Honduran Mahogany and the face of Jupiter is of various exotic hard woods.  I was originally inspired by the lovely walnut cases that the Ziess Abbe Orthos and Limited Edition Brandons are housed.  However, these maintain the functionality of the rest of my cases as they are finished in Spay Polyurethane to protect from evenings with exceptional dew.  These cases will be limited to the materials I have on hand and in small batches, so check back occasionally to see the next version.




$119.95 + Shipping                   Sorry, All units have been sold / No Longer Available


I am not going to set this up with a PayPay "Buy Now" option, you will need to contact me concerning availability, thanks for understanding.

Custom Work - Like the Field Case, custom work is going to be extremely limited for the immediate future, I just don't have the bandwidth.

When I designed my Grab-N-Go Eyepiece Case and Standard Field Eyepiece Case, I did it with the idea of what would appeal to "most" people.  However, one size does not fit all, and some have made requests for a custom eyepiece case...  GREAT!  I love creating something specific,a one off case for someone's individual needs, it gets the creative juices flowing.  Send me an e-mail to [email protected] and we can discuss your specific needs and what I can do to make it a reality.

Popular Customizations
           Size & Layout:  Particularly for larger eyepieces (i.e. Pentax XW's, Delos, & Ethos)
           Inlay
           Dividers
           Exotic Woods for Top:  Bubinga, Purpleheart, Curley & Birdseye Maple, Padauk, Koa...  any wood that is available.
           Side Handles
           Stop Hinges

"The eyepiece case arrived yesterday and wanted to let you know how happy I am with it. Looks awesome." - Steve in Ohio

  • This is a standard Grab-N-Go case with the addition of a Goncalo Alves sapwood top for the night sky.
    This is a standard Grab-N-Go case with the addition of a Goncalo Alves sapwood top for the night sky.
  • One customer wanted a case to house 12x 2" eyepieces, without an inlayed constellation. We decided on adding a subtle scale distance model of the Solar System across the front above the latches. Each planet is a different exotic hardwood with a scale of ~1:8,150,000,000,000.
    One customer wanted a case to house 12x 2" eyepieces, without an inlayed constellation. We decided on adding a subtle scale distance model of the Solar System across the front above the latches. Each planet is a different exotic hardwood with a scale of ~1:8,150,000,000,000.
  • Also requested was the addition of Italian leather handles... I really like this little touch.
    Also requested was the addition of Italian leather handles... I really like this little touch.
  • One kind husband wanted to get a small case for his wife, of course Cassiopeia was the obvious choice...
    One kind husband wanted to get a small case for his wife, of course Cassiopeia was the obvious choice...
  • Inside the Cassiopeia case, the wife was not an observer, so I made a removable tray with a divided storage compartments on the bottom.
    Inside the Cassiopeia case, the wife was not an observer, so I made a removable tray with a divided storage compartments on the bottom.
  • One customer wanted a case to house 15 pair of eyepieces for his binoviewer, and he gave me "free reign" on the top... I came up with Orion, the mighty hunter, battling Taurus the bull, followed by his hunting dog Canis Major. This was on a background of quilted Bubinga. I looks stunning as the angle of light changes, the wood has a tremendous amount of depth.
    One customer wanted a case to house 15 pair of eyepieces for his binoviewer, and he gave me "free reign" on the top... I came up with Orion, the mighty hunter, battling Taurus the bull, followed by his hunting dog Canis Major. This was on a background of quilted Bubinga. I looks stunning as the angle of light changes, the wood has a tremendous amount of depth.
  • The nautical brass hardware on the binoviewer case.
    The nautical brass hardware on the binoviewer case.
  • Inside the binoviewer case.
    Inside the binoviewer case.
  • One customer wanted a set of eyepiece cases for this collection, the shorter cases are for 1 1/4" eyepieces, while the taller are for the 2" eyepieces. These cases were made using oak veneered plywood, which compliments the walnut tops and Italian leather handles.
    One customer wanted a set of eyepiece cases for this collection, the shorter cases are for 1 1/4" eyepieces, while the taller are for the 2" eyepieces. These cases were made using oak veneered plywood, which compliments the walnut tops and Italian leather handles.
This is a standard Grab-N-Go case with the addition of a Goncalo Alves sapwood top for the night sky.
This is a standard Grab-N-Go case with the addition of a Goncalo Alves sapwood top for the night sky.