DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

Status
Not open for further replies.

motegi

Tyme Machine
Joined
Jul 13, 2014
Messages
2,209
This tutorial will walk you through the modification of a standard "3-slot" sized Invicta Dive Box into a 6 slot storage case. It will also work for the old "OceanQuest" Dive Boxes as well.

Before:

7000649300_c22fea8774.jpg



After:

7161635458_b03e13ee5c.jpg



Now for the DIY instructions!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------

TIME: Roughly 1 hour

TOOLS: A ball point pen, a scrap piece of cardboard, a box cutter with fresh blades, serrated bread knife, cutting board, superglue, and a metal yardstick.

COST: $15 in materials (It'll be enough to do 5+ boxes!)

MATERIALS:

1) Black foam rubber anti-fatigue floor mats that lock together like puzzle pieces that are used in exercise rooms and workshops.

I found this 4 pack for $9 at my local Harbor Freight Tools. Use one of their 20% off coupons from their e-mails or newspaper fliers for an even better price! (Just one of these mats is more than enough material for 1 box. So with this 4 pack you could probably do 5-6 boxes!!!)

7161614592_e21084750c.jpg


The mat has a weave like pattern on top that reminds me of carbon fiber.
7162047540_ca30d719ca.jpg


Amazon has something that looks the same... but it costs $15... plus $12 shipping!!!!
You can find similar (smaller, more expensive) locking floor pads at Sports Authority in the gym section.

2) Two black foam pipe covers from Lowes. Get 1 roll each of two different sized pipe covers. The larger one had an open slit and the other was perforated but not actually open. The Lowes item #'s were #21416 and #24433. They cost $1.94 and $1.18 each and there is plenty of material for three or more box mods. You could also use one of those fluorescent swimming pool "noodles" but I wanted something black to match the tray and they don't make black pool noodles...
7161627938_c5df079953.jpg

7161628672_c7172a8792.jpg


------------------------------------------------------

TUTORIAL:

First we will be building the "watch tray". I used the existing foam insert from the Dive Box to trace out an outline onto a sheet of scrap cardboard to use as a template:
7161615362_0a693da418.jpg


(The overall dimensions are 7.25 x 9.25 inches)

Then I cut out the template and drew the planned watch slots onto it. My slot dimensions are 2 x 3 in. They are spaced 3/4 in apart side to side and 1/2 in top to bottom. The side to side spacing leaves plenty of room to keep even the largest cases/crowns from knocking together. There's probably even room to space the slots a full 1 inch apart side to side if needed.
7161616766_c095aa721a.jpg

7161617492_8a0a7acc7e.jpg


Once I had the template I simply traced it out onto the back of the rubber mat using a ball point pen.
7161618134_69b81e4553.jpg



I drew out a bunch of them, but all you really need are TWO WITH THE SLOT OUTLINES to make the top plate of the watch tray and TWO WITHOUT the slot outlines to use as padding for the bottom of the box.

Next, I cut out the slots on ONE sections using a box cutter with a BRAND NEW sharp blade and my metal yardstick as a guide. These mats cut REALLY easily! I was expecting it to take longer. It's like butter!
7168473848_aaba005ee1.jpg


The one with the cutouts will become the top plate of the tray and one with just the outlines will be the bottom of the tray.
7168504540_2e3992ddfc.jpg


Next I cut a 2 inch strip of foam mat to use as the vertical "slats" for the tray. I marked this strip in 3 inch increments for 6 sections and cut them apart.
7168505376_3094d033d4.jpg


I used the "cut out" pieces (total of 12, 6 from the "holes" we made in the top plate and 6 from the strip we just cut into sections) to make the vertical internal dividers for the tray. Superglue works like magic on this stuff!!! And you really only need 1 or two small dots of glue on each piece!!

So I doubled up the dividers in between each of the slots side to side and then put a single piece on each end. I glued all of the dividers to the "bottom" plate first.
7168504014_eb5ca59815.jpg

7168503090_981c61f8c5.jpg


Going across the very top and bottom and a single piece down the middle I cut longer 2 inch wide strips of the mat material and trimmed it to length so that it would go across all three slots. I then glued these to the "bottom" plate as well.
7168498104_46ebf74ef4.jpg


Finally I carefully applied glue to the tops of all of the dividers and aligned the "top" plate onto the bottom watch tray assembly.
7168497556_8225637d45.jpg


If you "miss" any of the slats or the glue doesn't hold you can always lightly press the slat over so that the top edge is exposed through the top plate, apply glue, and resecure.
7168497144_24001e96d2.jpg


For the watch rolls I took the foam pipe covers and put the smaller one inside the larger one to bulk them up a bit. Imagine a hot dog in a bun:
7161618830_e3cd5d3a4d.jpg


Then I sliced off two inch sections using my wife's serrated bread knife and cutting board so that they would fit the slots in the tray. Its actually easier than cutting through french bread! The key is the serrated bread knife!
7168494084_3e847fb787.jpg


Now you are almost done. You must place the two mat sections that you made without the slots into the bottom of the box to use as "padding" so that the top of the tray is level with the top edge of the box.
7162048604_65ae0dbcac.jpg


Now drop the tray in on top and you are DONE!!!

THE FINISHED PRODUCT:
7161629694_a0ecf3b33c.jpg

7162051800_d84ce5fb02.jpg


---------------------------------------------------

ADDED 5/9 ****NEW ADDITIONAL OPTION!!!****

Instead of just "padding" the bottom of the box with the blank foam mat pieces you can cut narrower slots into one of them and then glue them together to make another tray for storage for things like bracelet links, extra watch straps, and watch tools.

Just lay out your items onto one of the blank mat sections flipped upside down:
7168496806_e12caa08c2.jpg


Draw out the outlines of the areas you want to cut out based on your desired layout:
7168496386_6e92e88584.jpg

(keep in mind that the layout will be the mirror image once you put everything together since you are cutting from the "backside".

Now cut out the areas and glue it down to the other blank mat.
7168495908_a87d06c615.jpg


Place this into the bottom of your dive box and... PRESTO! Additional accessory storage!!!!
7168495082_1ac50864b4.jpg


To access them all you need to do is "lift out" the tray on top!!!
7168494646_d1a7797ac5.jpg


Note: Since the watch tray may be a tight fit for the slightly tapering case you can trim the lower edges of the watch tray so that it is easier to remove.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

I really lovr this DIY. it turned out great. I might get this one done...
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

I always believed there was too much wasted space in the 3 watch case. This is great and will give much needed additional space.
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

I learn something new every day. Who knew you could do this. Thank you for the tutorial.
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

[em][font face=georgia color=#)92)e6 size=4]A great piece of work for sure Motegi. Thanks for idea, and information. I have to give it a try.[/font][/em]
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

Thanks for resurrecting this Motegi. I'm glad it wasn't lost. I have one 3 slot box I need to do so this will really come in handy.I believe there is room in the 8 slot case for a couple more watches as well. Maybe I'll give it a try.[br]
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

I just want to say thank you for this. Ironically enough, I have had the exact same blue Invicta case sitting under my kitchen table for the past year and change collecting dust. Now I think I am going to make myself a 6 slot case this weekend. Thanks you very much.
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

thanks for the instructions - i'm gonna try this!!!
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

Sweet DIY project, simple and inexpensive.
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

Excellent and informative post. Almost makes me think of trying to make a )6 watch out of the 8 watch.
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

Thanks for bringing this DIY back Motegi! I had it tabbed, but lost it in the darkness of WG!
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

Great post Mo. And excellent work. I did a similar mod with one of my cases. I used pick-and-pluck foam.[br][br]
InvictaHydromax22.JPG
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

I love this. I may have to do this some time. I have one planned for an 8 slot box, but we will see if I ever get around to is. I would be repurposing it though, not making room for more. Thanks again Motegi for posting these as you recover them.
 
DIY: Invicta 3 Slot Dive Case to 6 Slot w/ Accessory Storage

This is the finished product of a case I got from Harbour Freight, on sale for $25. It's an aluminum tool case repurposed. Had the top foam already in it. Thanks Motegi for posting this again.[br]
DSCF3)9)_zpsb52724ec.jpg

DSCF3)87_zps525)e483.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom