Suitcase Picnic Table and Speaker System

Take this suitcase on a fun picnic in the park!  Not only can you carry all your food and silverware it in -- it also doubles as a picnic table and speaker system.

The speaker system is powered by the minty boost USB charger.  Plug in your ipod and listen to some sweet tunes.

There are four legs that retract from the suitcase so you can prop the suitcase up and use the surface as a table.

I've recently gotten into re-purposing suitcases.  I've found lots of great inspiration online for fun projects.  This project was more of a hybrid of things I've seen plus a few new ideas of my own.  

Step 1 Materials

Here are the main materials you will need.  In each individual step I will let you know the smaller materials like glue, scissors, screws, etc...

1. Suitcase - find a suitcase hard shell.  I love this old vintage Samsonite suitcase!  However, the edges of the suitcase are curved and this cause a few problems in mounting the legs and hardware.  I would suggest finding a suitcase or briefcase that has 90 degree edges (box).
2. 4 Leg Braces - I bought these locking leg braces from McMaster Carr (#2).  Let me tell you, I spent a good amount of time figuring out the best way to mount the legs and this was definitely the best option.  I'd love to hear other ideas on what could work.  I liked these also because the legs sit nicely inside the suitcase and are easy to prop up and lock.
3. 4 Legs - I cut 4 pieces of 1" x 1" wood at length 12"
4. Speakers - I know a little bit about electronics but not too much.  Instead of creating a speaker system from scratch I just bought an inexpensive USB powered computer speaker system.  It came with all the parts I needed, all I had to do was take it out of its case.  Heres a link to the speakers I used.
5. Minty  Boost - powers your speakers and is simple to put together.  You can buy this here.

Comments

[douglascass]

Please, explaine how the speakers work? energy? battery? dinamo? conected directly an IPOD, MP3players?

[WhiteTigerTails]

Try reading.

[burnerjack01]

That is just so cool! Simple, nonchalant, perfect for capturing that "surprise, sunset inspired moment". Absolutely brilliant! Tossed in the back of the ride and presto! Off to the mountains or seaside! THIS is the essence of living with style.

[WhiteTigerTails]

That was almost poetic...

[TattooMickey]

I ordered the same luggage from eBay, and got it for delivered for around 30 bucks. I ordered the same hinges that you did from the same place. I went to Home Depot and got some nice short table legs and cut them at home to fit into the hinges and for length (I also cut my thumb and for finger pretty good, so please people take care!), and then stained them to match the case I got (which is an awesome dark brown). I am about to head out to the hardware store for screws and start the process of measuring it all up. I can't thank you enough for this idea! My girlfriend LOVES this idea because we picnic ALL the time. I won't be doing another instructable of the same sort, but I'll upload pictures of the finished product based on yours so you can see what you have helped create! Thanks again!

[Carleyy]

This is the greatest compliment ever! I get so flattered when people actually recreate my projects!! You should definitely post a photo instructable and show the suitcase in action!

[TattooMickey]

Update on my build! I am going to replace the Minty Boost with a rechargeable solar panel!

[memorris027]

Too cool...

[voodooxfishy]

Genius!

[Pheline]

Is it my imagination or was it just recently that people figured out that picnics would be a lot more comfortable on a little table? It seems like we used to take baskets and blankets and then try to get comfortable, chase away bugs and eat at the same time. Good for heavy petting- not so good for eating.

I do love this idea. Frequently I see old suitcases and wonder what to do with them so I don't bring them home. A cube like one would be great too- make the (presumably short) lid the table and have access to the food, etc. left inside the (presumably larger) bottom part.

[fireguard]

I LIKE that idea! Nice noodlin'! Keep it up. One little eensy weensy comment on here could be all the inspiration another needs to really change it up! :D Happy Friday!

[d2graphix]

i so want to build this. I've hated the idea of picnics till I saw this. Totally would make the trip worth it.

Thanks,
D2

[tsunami78]

Great idea! I have been in the market for a good picnic basket/backpack for a while, but I think this just blew that thought out of the water. I go camping a lot, and can might expand on this with a solar panel an larger battery, inverter and charging station for those week long camping trips.

Great job! Thank you for the inspiration :)

Cheers,
Jason

[adritek]

This is a fantastic creation! Top job, I will enjoy endless summers in the park with this. Thank you!

[jbollman]

One idea to use nuts, bolts and washers is to cut thin plywood to the inner dimension of each side, and bolt the legs to the plywood. You can then attach the plywood at any/many points to reduce the stress at any one screw.

In any regards, this is so cool.

[jgraznak]

A cheap hole saw set would have made easy work of the speaker mounting. I bought my first one off a discount table at Northern for $10, and used it for a pile of different projects. I've long since upgraded to the DeWalt arbor system, a bit more expensive, but far more versitile.

[javila4]

really cool.

[Madrigorne]

If you used a slightly larger suitcase, and made a locking joint in the legs, you could also build and pack a couple of folding stools and sit at full height table, and use it for a field desk or what not as well as a spur of the moment picnic. You may also want to pack a small table cloth, and a small ground blanket (if you aren't going with the stools) I have a few suitcases like this in the garage. Another project to add to the list...

[AbstractDragon]

I've been wanting to try building some steamer chest type boxes soon, and this makes me think of the idea that a thicker box could be constructed to hold your picnic as well, maybe even a couple folding seats and have longer legs as well as room for a bottle of wine. If it was the size of a mid-sized trunk, it could do this nicely and look amazing.

[ebradshaw]

Awsome!

[pdub77]

This is great! I'm just curious how the speakers sound with the plastic case cut off. Are they tinny or lacking in bass?

[mikeasaurus]

Nice job, Carley!
Tunes and a glass of wine at the park, who can ask for more?

[jakerobinson]

Very cool... my daughter will love this as she loves to repurpose old and vintage... groovy

[Goodhart]

When I was younger we had a VERY similar (albeit MUCH bigger) version of this that my Dad had purchased. It was all metal though, but nearly full sized picnic table sized too. It folded in half, and was still fairly big, but not too heavy, and had a suit case handle on the end where the two halves met, and locked together. The legs folded in under the lip of the "case" as it were.

[Fretka]

it would be awesome if you could also incorporate a iPod/MP3 holder to the side where the speakers are...with the "base" that allows you to charge the player as you listen...then you wouldn't have the cord in the way, and the iPod would be settled in it's own spot....**thinking how to do that now**
I have 5 -6 suitcases like this...everyone thought I was daft for hanging on to them...but I see I shall have the last laugh now !! especially when I show up with one and they want it!!

TOTALLY AWESOME project, thank you for sharing your brilliance !!

[bajablue]

How SWEET is this!?! It's GENIUS, too!

5 Stars and one of my votes... excellent instructable!!!

[Mugai]

Greetings, Fun! Gathering the bits and pieces for one of our own. Great for the next pic-a-nic date with sweetheart. thank for the idea.

[-chase-]

Real nice - great idea to use for some of the older deco looking suit cases or even the modern aluminuim breif cases or leather...

Add a small portable solar panel to run the iPod as opposed to the Minty boost and it's a 100% mean green pic-nic table iPod machine. ;0)

thanx for sharing,
- chase -

[Carleyy]

I've been wanting to learn how to work with solar panels -- this would be a great version 2!

[shootfilm]

This is freaking genius! I'll be scouring estate sales this weekend for a suitable suitcase...

[Carleyy]

**Like**

[royblumenthal]

Just a note on load-bearing structures such as the hinges... screws probably aren't the best way to go. It would be far better to use nuts, bolts, and washers. The larger the washer, the more the load is distributed across the structure.

What's wrong with screws, especially when dealing with old wood, is that you can't rely on the wood being able to structurally hold the screw. It'll work loose quite quickly. And it may even split the wood. If the wood is particularly soft, the screw will just tear out. The smaller the screw, the worse the effect.

The key in using nuts and bolts and washers is to find an aesthetic solution to hiding the nasty bits on the outside of the suitcase.

(Brilliant instructable, by the way. I love the repurposing of all of these items. And the photo shoot makes the whole thing look very appetizing. Congrats!)

[acoleman3]

how about using carriage bolts and painting the heads to match the case.

[sjbrower]

What a great idea! I have an old aluminum briefcase (kinda on the BIG side) that would be perfect for this. Good weekend project. Thank you for sharing your idea and inspiring me!

[gracels]

My hubbie has one of those! His parents brought it with them after the Holocaust, from the Displaced Persons camp where they were living. It was their sole possession, and filled with feathers, because someone told them there were no feathers in America. Hubbie kept it all these years.

[octochan]

You know what would look even cooler? Using premade stair balusters for the legs.

[jonathanramsey]

Brilliant! I've been watching for a case to do this for a portable table to sell my CDs and t-shirts at shows. Presently, I open my hardshell guitar case, with felt sign "stuck" to the velvety lining inside the cover, and put some clearance aisle touch lights inside for visibility in dark venues. I used to use a rummage sale suitcase, and have been thinking about attaching fold-out legs (with extensions, as well). I love the McMaster Carr braces much more than the Lowe's locking hinges that I have.

[LoganSix]

I guess it should be noted that your suitcase opens evenly in the middle or flat.
Not all suitcases do that. I know it might be obvious, but sometimes the obvious steps are overlooked.

A quick look on eBay didn't show many. I saw one that might open flat, but it would require different sized legs.

[hughscott5]

I now know what I'm making this weekend!!!!!!!! :)

[Knightsabre]

NICE project! I may have to borrow this idea for a slightly different application... :)