Further Adventures of the Dropped 100-400L

[Belmondo]

I found a good deal on an older Halliburton aluminum case a while back---model 106 which is one of their larger ones. It was apparently brand new, although the box gave signs it had been around for a long time. I’ve been using my backpacks almost exclusively in recent months, but decided I wanted better protection for the ‘big’ lenses on our upcoming trip to the east coast; the Halliburton case was ideal. I finally got to work on it last night and spent a good hour measuring and cutting, getting foam all over the kitchen, slicing my right index finger open, but finally ending up with a very neat job. The lenses really looked impressive all laid out in that gorgeous aluminum case.

I closed everything up, cleaned up the mess, but decided I wanted just one last look at my handiwork before putting everything back in the closet. The doggone case wouldn’t open---it was locked up tighter than a bull’s bottom. Apparently the combination lock had decided to change its code (or something) and the case was absolutely, 100% impenetrable. I fished the directions out of the garbage, but they gave me no clue. I tried the factory pre-set combination (0-0-0): nothing. I tried every other likely combination, and my precious lenses were still out of reach. Finally I went to the garage, got my largest screwdriver, and pried that mother open (destroying it in the process, of course). No matter, I was just relieved to once again be able to fondle my precious lenses. The Halliburton case is now fodder for a scrap metal drive and is in temporary repose in the outgoing trash.

Ultimately I found that I could fit the same three lenses in one of my smaller Halliburton cases for which I had the foresight to buy a new foam pack from B&H a while back. I spend another hour cutting and fitting, the job made somewhat more difficult because of the severely gashed index finger that kept getting in the way. Now I’m all set again. At least this case doesn’t have a lock on it so I won’t have this problem ever again. I will have to carry the lens shades separately, but that’s only a minor inconvenience. At least the lenses won’t roll out the truck door when they’re in the case.

Just thought I’d share.

[PhotosGuy]

"It's always something"!
-Gilda Radner

[Whaler]

LMAO :lol:

[cmM]

Patience, my friend !!!!
You should have tried all the combinations before prying it open !!!
10 secs/combination (appriximate) * 1000 = 10,000 min /60 = 166.(6) hours / 24 = 6.9(4) days...
:roll: never mind.

[ron chappel]

Can you put new locks on it? Or is it too damaged to use now?

like padlocks with their appropriate bolted on loop things

[Belmondo]

Ron:
I should clarify: the screwdriver I used is enormous---a real two-handed honker of genuinely impressive proportions. It's almost two feet long and is decidedly not used to make delicate adjustments on anything. I'm afraid that my efforts at opening the case eliminated any thoughts of ever salvaging it, although I suppose if someone used as much determination in repairing it as I did in opening it, anything is possible.

BTW, part of my background is in explosives. The screwdriver was far from being my absolute last resort, although more aggressive actions might have been a cause for genuine concern for the safety of those lenses. I am thankful such steps were not necessary.

[Whaler]

Perhaps a picture????? :twisted:

[PacAce]

Tom, sorry to hear about yet another misadventure on your part, especially your poor index finger. Ouch! :(

[PhotosGuy]

Belmondo, have you ever heard of a Tenney L. Davis, Ph.D?

[Belmondo]

Belmondo, have you ever heard of a Tenney L. Davis, Ph.D?

Well I have now!.

I was involved in the manufacture of various ordnance devices for the aerospace program back in the 60s and 70s. I worked for companies that made all manner of explosive devices, and my job was princiapally tool design and develpment of manufacturing processes. The unwritten rule was that anytime we tried something new, the manufacturing processes people (me) had to try everything first. Those were very nerve-wracking days becuase I knew what a rotten engineer I really was! Fortunately I ended that career with all my fingers (and other digits) still intact. It was only later, while installing foam in camera cases, that they were ever in serious peril.

[PhotosGuy]

Fortunately I ended that career with all my fingers (and other digits) still intact.
Me, too. When I was 12 I saved my nickles, dimes, & pennies & I bought it. The local library ordered it for me. Times sure have changed!
:wink:

[defordphoto]

:lol: Amazing thread. Absolutely amazing!

[Tom W]

Belmondo, have you ever heard of a Tenney L. Davis, Ph.D?

Well I have now!.

I was involved in the manufacture of various ordnance devices for the aerospace program back in the 60s and 70s. I worked for companies that made all manner of explosive devices, and my job was princiapally tool design and develpment of manufacturing processes. The unwritten rule was that anytime we tried something new, the manufacturing processes people (me) had to try everything first. Those were very nerve-wracking days becuase I knew what a rotten engineer I really was! Fortunately I ended that career with all my fingers (and other digits) still intact. It was only later, while installing foam in camera cases, that they were ever in serious peril.

Well, how exactly does one land a cool career like that (assuming I get to start life over)? That really sounds like fun, blowing things up. :)

Or wasn't that the goal?

Anyway, I, like others am waiting for the pictures of the remains of the Halliburton case.

[PhotosGuy]

Or wasn't that the goal?
For me, loud noises & things flying through the air was major fun in a small town in the '50s! The 'instant gratification' factor helped, too.
:wink:

[Belmondo]

Well, how exactly does one land a cool career like that (assuming I get to start life over)? That really sounds like fun, blowing things up. :)

We blew up lots of things---a lot of them that were never intended. In fact, back in around 1968 we pretty much eliminated an entire mountainside in a little town not far from where PacAce lives now. This was in a facility that made blasting caps, squibs, detonators, and so forth. A large storage bunker decided to auto-detonate one morning. There were several people killed including one or two whose remains were never found.

No, you don't want to go into that business. You'd be dealing with some pretty nasty stuff.

[defordphoto]

Cool! Fun with high explosives!! I can hardly wait till we meet!!

[Tom W]

Well, how exactly does one land a cool career like that (assuming I get to start life over)? That really sounds like fun, blowing things up. :)

We blew up lots of things---a lot of them that were never intended. In fact, back in around 1968 we pretty much eliminated an entire mountainside in a little town not far from where PacAce lives now. This was in a facility that made blasting caps, squibs, detonators, and so forth. A large storage bunker decided to auto-detonate one morning. There were several people killed including one or two whose remains were never found.

No, you don't want to go into that business. You'd be dealing with some pretty nasty stuff.

Well, if I"m going to have to run away on occasion, I guess I'll pass. Getting a little too old to outrun flying debris. ;)

[Whaler]

Okay, why didn't you take the case to a local lock smith and have him open it for you?

[chris.bailey]

We blew up lots of things---a lot of them that were never intended.




:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Love it !

[ron chappel]

Ron:
I should clarify: the screwdriver I used is enormous---a real two-handed honker of genuinely impressive proportions. It's almost two feet long and is decidedly not used to make delicate adjustments on anything..


Oh,you mean a CROWBAR :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Longwatcher]

Patience, my friend !!!!
You should have tried all the combinations before prying it open !!!
10 secs/combination (appriximate) * 1000 = 10,000 min /60 = 166.(6) hours / 24 = 6.9(4) days...
:roll: never mind.

Just from experience the anser for a 3 wheel, 10 digit combo lock is about 30 minutes. It takes much less then 10 seconds to try the next combo in sequence, less then 2 seconds actually. thus <2000 seconds/60 = <33.3 minutes. Remember you only have to turn 1 dial at a time, which requires 1 thumb, while the other hand tries the lock. Had to experience this twice during my career. Usually did not have to go though all 1000 combinations though. 4 combo dial locks take much longer. I am presuming off course it was a wheel combo lock versus a dial lock, since those usually have a 25-50-25 default combo and 100 digits verus 10.

[robertwgross]

This was in a facility that made blasting caps, squibs, detonators, and so forth. A large storage bunker decided to auto-detonate one morning. There were several people killed including one or two whose remains were never found.


But... but... did you get the shot?

---Bob Gross---

[cmM]

But... but... did you get the shot?

---Bob Gross---
In a case like that, if I were on site with the camera in my hand, I think I'd drop it and try save some lives before taking any pictures.

[ron chappel]

Man me too!
actually i think i would be too awestruck to run..um,providing i was a reasonable number of states away :lol: :lol:

[robertwgross]

Anecdote:
A bunch of us were forming up for a nature hike, and we were standing in a parking lot about 120 feet from a busy highway intersection. As we stood there, some motorcyclists came from one direction and were not seen by an automobile moving from the other direction. Whack!

Immediately as soon as I heard brakes, I pivoted around with my camera and shot one frame just about the time one of the victim motorcyclists was coming to a bouncing stop. Got it. Then we all stood there in shock for about five seconds. Then we realized that many of us had first aid training, and there were probably hurt people out there in the intersection. So, by about ten seconds, we went out to help.

It only takes a second or two to get the shot. Then go help.

---Bob Gross---

[Belmondo]

Man me too!
actually i think i would be too awestruck to run..um,providing i was a reasonable number of states away :lol: :lol:

Actually I was sound asleep in bed many miles away and only found out about it when I went to work that morning. It actually happened in the middle of the night. The facility in question was near Allentown, PA, and I was living near Philadelphia at the time.

Interestingly, they never figured out what caused the blast, but the prevailing theory was that it was some type of rodent chewing on a detonator. I don't know how they ever determined that---unless the rodent survived the blast and decided to confess. :wink:

[ron chappel]

[---unless the rodent survived the blast and decided to confess. :wink:

:lol: Can rats survive a trip into orbit?

[Belmondo]

[---unless the rodent survived the blast and decided to confess. :wink:

:lol: Can rats survive a trip into orbit?

Re-entry can be tough!