I have often been asked by my customers about cases for my instruments (small travel sized mountain dulcimers). I find that when I start considering doing something I wind up looking at a project that is a lot more work and expense and will cost too big of a portion of the cost of an instrument. I think maybe I try to over engineer and over build them. I don't want to build something that is a lot of work or that I need to charge too much for, but quite a few of my customers do ask about something.
The cases would need to be quick and easy to build. I wouldn't mind some effort in setting up jigs and the overall process (I enjoy that process), but actual production needs to be quick and easy. I say production, but use the term loosely. I'd need a single case here and there. There could be a surge of existing customers wanting cases, but after that it would be one be several per year to be sold with new instrument purchases. On the other hand this could be one of those things that unexpectedly takes on a life of it's own (if that happens, I'd probably farm out the work). There would need to be a few sizes, the most popular holding an instrument roughly 22" long by 4" wide and 3" high.
It would be nice if they could be used as a shipping box maybe with something like thin cardboard or something added. Keeping them pretty light would be a big help with shipping costs especially with international sales. That said, I could just not offer them for international sales which are only a small part of my overall sales.
Any thoughts on building something like that? Or should i just continue to say no to folks asking for cases?