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Foam for new AP case
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 4:28 pm
by Mack
I just won a nice leather hard sided brief case. I have no use for it other than making it into an AP case. This will allow me to put the AP, targets, glasses, etc in 1 case instead of having to haul around a backpack. I need to pad the case. Where is a good place to look for the appropriate foam? Anything to steer clear of?
TIA
Mack
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 4:45 pm
by LesJ
I posted similar question about year ago and the answer was - look in Yellow Pages in your area under foam and rubber suppliers.
Boogie Board and an electric knife
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 5:00 pm
by Marley
For a cheap solution til you source out the foam...try an old boogie board that has not been in salt water lately, draw out your cuts with a Sharpie, then use an electric knife or a serrated long knife to make your cuts. Let us know if you find a good source of high density foam.
Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 8:50 pm
by scout18
I made a case out of my dewalt sawsall box. I got egg crate foam at a local foam dealer. It was about 15 bucks for enough foam to do both sides. sure holds the AP nice though.
Pelican foam
Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 6:17 am
by Guest
Pelican which makes equipment cases- sells the "pick n pluck" foam which is semi cut in small squares. It is available in different sizes. Try B and H Photo and Video in NYC.
A note of caution- many "white foam" products give off chemical fumes-even at room temp. Camera manufactures caution against useing them-I use only the black foam designed for photo use, both in camera cases and in by gun cases. The Pelican foam is cheap, and worth the price. Greg Derr
Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 10:35 am
by pdeal
The foam I covet for this purpose is closed cell polyethylene foam. It is the foam that is probably used in Marley's boogie board. I find it once in a while at work used as packing for equipment. This foam is pretty hard but it springs back when deformed. I made a special tip for my weller soldering gun. I took a piece of 12 ga copper wire and made a hoop type tip to replace the soldering tip. This carves the foam very nicely. You can also start with thin sheets of the foam (1/2" say) and cut it in layers with a knife. Using a knife in the thick foam is hard to do because it is hard to make a square bottom. Here is an online source for closed cell polyethyline foam:
http://www.foambymail.com/Polyethylene.html