Here’s Flair 58 Travel Case version three.
The case was from AliExpress and is much lighter than version one where I used an Amazon Basics case - like 50% lighter. And it’s much more robust than the Hello Fresh cardboard box that I used for version two.
Here’s the description of the case from AE website in case (sorry) anyone wants to search for it: “Aluminum alloy ToolBox Suitcase Equipment Safety Box Instrument Case File Storage Tool Case With Pre-cut Sponge”. Dimensions 600mm x 400mm x 180mm and cost AU$168 with free shipping. It comes with foam and dividers.
The soft case on the right hand side also came from AE and is described as “Dyson Hair Dryer Bag Hair Curler Hair Straightener Case Portable Protection Dustproof Storage Bag Organizer For Dyson”. Dimensions 38cm x 16cm x 14cm and cost AU$21.85 with free shipping. It’s the perfect length and it’s the perfect volume too.
With version three of the travel case I decided on using the Dyson bag to store the smaller parts as opposed to cutting out shapes in the foam for them. This makes the process of customizing the case much easier. I simply put any part that may be subject to being scratched into separate zip lock bags within the Dyson bag.
The whole kit and caboodle weighs in at 9.6kg and the idea is that if I am driving I can simply pop it on the floor behind one of the front seats and if I am flying it goes into my check in bag, leaving me 13.4kg for clothes, toiletries and so on. So travelling to the Artic with it is probably out.
I’d only consider taking this with me if I was staying in one place for three nights or more e.g. my annual cultural fix in Melbourne each March.
One of the great features of the Flair 58 is that it works just fine from 100v to 240v so it is “plug and play” regardless of whether I am in the USA, Europe or Australasia. I simply need the local adaptor.
The previous travel machine I had was the wonderful Flair Signature Pro 2 but I wanted group head temperature stability and hence the upgrade. Although I must say, the Signature was much easier to pack and it was much smaller and lighter. Such are the sacrifices I make in the name of laziness 😀 .
The hand grinder is a Helor 106 (71mm Mazzer Robur conical burrs).