Custom cut foam

Chris Tarrow · Post by **Chris Tarrow** » 27 Jul 2006 7:06 am

Has anyone had closed cell foam custom cut for a steel case? If anyone could recommend a vendor I'd appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 28 Jul 2006 4:35 pm

Chris, why not do it yourself? For making large cuts, a kitchen-type electric knife works great! If you want to make small cuts, that's just as easily done with a very sharp filleting knife, a scalpel, or an X-acto knife. Lately, I've found a regular (retractable) snap-blade utility knife will work pretty darn good!

Some companies can afford to have foam molded to precise shapes. But usually, recesses are made by "laying up" layers of foam. For instance, if you want a 4" thick piece of foam with a 2" deep x 6" square recess in it, you get a 2" thick piece, cut a square hole in it, and then glue that to another 2" thick piece with spray contact cement. Presto! You have a piece of 4" thick foam with a perfect 2" deep recess.

Chris Tarrow · Post by **Chris Tarrow** » 29 Jul 2006 1:45 pm

Sounds like a good idea, Donny, is this the right stuff?

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Chris Tarrow on 29 July 2006 at 02:47 PM.]</p></FONT>

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 29 Jul 2006 1:48 pm

Some foam cuts very nicely on a band saw.

Chris Tarrow · Post by **Chris Tarrow** » 29 Jul 2006 2:03 pm

I don't have access to any tools, if anyone wanted to help me out with this, I'd be happy to pay for materials and labor, I'm looking to get a closed cell foam insert so I can put my S10 steel in a case that I've got, living in a 3 floor walkup and playing steel guitar don't go together too well, plus I'm afraid the case I have is starting to fall apart anyway. If anyone's interested, shoot me an e-mail. Thanks .

Ernest Cawby · Post by **Ernest Cawby** » 30 Jul 2006 3:08 am

Foam shops do it with hot wire, makes perfect cuts.

ernie

Jonathan Shacklock · Post by **Jonathan Shacklock** » 30 Jul 2006 6:22 am

Pre-scored "pick n' pluck" foam is the way to go Chris - probably more expensive but hassle and tool free.

Closed cell stuff here.

Chris Tarrow · Post by **Chris Tarrow** » 31 Jul 2006 6:08 am

Thanks Jonathan, that looks a bit easier to deal with!

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 31 Jul 2006 6:11 pm

Chris,
if you don't mind how it looks I have a couple foam knives and some foam around you are welcome to.

------------------
Bob
upcoming gigs
My Website

Brian Davis · Post by **Brian Davis** » 1 Aug 2006 10:58 am

I need to refoam this anvil case I scavenged off the street to fit my wurly ep. Can you buy foam separately from Pelican made to order?

Bob, where did you order your foam from?

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 1 Aug 2006 11:18 am

I would suggest to go to a carupholstery shop.They have the real good stuff.Thats what I always use.

Ron

Chris Tarrow · Post by **Chris Tarrow** » 3 Aug 2006 7:45 am

Thanks Bob, when we do another lesson, let's check it out.

From what I can tell, you can order foam replacements for specific Pelican Cases
here but I'm not sure about custom sizes.

Canal Rubber in NYC seems to have various foams in various sizes, I think I may try cut it myself in layers and glue them together.

Thanks for the advice guys, will let you know how my project turns out.