Case Foam

[Marvin]

I have a nice hard case that I use for my Bronica ETRSi system and the foam is beginning to break down. Just wondering if others have found good replacement foam for their cases.

 

[jeffreyg]

Pelican cases have foam inserts that you can custom fit. They may sell the material separately from the case.

 

[mr rusty]

One of the best foams for inserts is Plastazote

http://www.zotefoams.com/pages/US/plastazote.asp

You should be able to find it relatively easily - common here in UK.

Its a fairly dense closed cell foam that comes in different hardnesses and sheet thicknesses. Often also comes with a self-adhesive backing.

The great thing with plastazote is that not only can you literally carve it with a *very* sharp blade, you can also machine it with a wood-working router, so its relatively easy to make up a plywood jig to machine multiple sheet layers to the same profiles and make a very fancy insert.

I used to work for a company that did this commercially.

 

[Sim2]

If you already have the case/dividers as I think might be the situation, perhaps the dividers etc could be stripped back and a closed cell foam glued on to them. Camping shops sell rolls of closed cell foam for reasonable amounts - used for seat pads, under sleeping bags etc. Very good for absorbing big knocks. For little jolts a further layer of open cell foam on the top will cushion the gear like it was being carried on feathers !

 

[largely]

You can buy Pelican pick and pluck foam here.

http://www.foamerica.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=59

 

[mgb74]

If it's breaking down into small bits, I'd get the equipment out of there asap. Think of it like sand.

I get replacement foam from an upholstery specialty store. Many grades of foam available. I cut it with a fillet knife. If possible, I freeze the foam first (seems to help a bit).

 

[Theo43]

I have a Pelican case with "pick 'n puck" foam which, as it is relatively new, works well; however, it seems to me there is a lot of wasted space. I think I will be getting a padded divider insert. You can buy foam inserts, and padded divider inserts, separately, just browse the Pelican web site to identify the one that would best fit your case. B&H Photo has good prices.

 

[Marvin]

Thanks for all the info. The case is actually a Western Union technicians case for tools but it is a well made case and I have used it for years. The foam is not falling apart it is just not as firm as I would like. Dividers are a possibility and would give more space, I may look into going that way. I could look at a new case with more room. The case will hold 2 Bronica ETRSi complete with back, prism and 75mm lens. Also 50mm, 150mm lens, lens hoods and grip.

 

[ozphoto]

I've used the sound deadening/eggshell style foam to protect gear in transit on airlines and it works perfectly.
Wish I had purchased earlier - would have saved us a bundle on modelling globes and flash tubes!

 

[mr rusty]

be careful with soft/cheap foam. It has a tendency to powder/fragment as it ages, and also may not be chemically inert, particularly if an open-cell structure has absorbed any contaminants. High quality high density closed cell polyethylene foam is very safe to use.

 

[GRHazelton]

An electric knife does a pretty good job of cutting foam.

 

[lxdude]

be careful with soft/cheap foam. It has a tendency to powder/fragment as it ages, and also may not be chemically inert, particularly if an open-cell structure has absorbed any contaminants. High quality high density closed cell polyethylene foam is very safe to use.

Thanks for the info. Something I've been wondering about.

 

[patricia de roeck]

Keep clear of foam! I have the pick-out foam in my Pelican case and it sheds bits of foam like cat hairs - I've resorted to packing each bit of equipment in sealed plastic before I put it amongst the foam sections - what a pain.
Patricia.

 

[mgb74]

Keep clear of foam!

I have to disagree - at least in terms of a blanket prohibition of foam. While I've never used the "pluck" type foam, I've never had a problem with quality foam suitable for packing cases. I only get it from foam specialty shops that carry a wide variety of different foam materials.