Thread: Where to get foam?

Nice protractor Michael.

That Swiss foam is even worse than the stuff Mitutoyo lined their cases with. With my Tesa and Etalon timber mic boxes, I used a sharp chisel as a scraper and removed the scabrous layer of perished foam and its adhesive from the wood and left it at that. I'm not traveling far with the boxed tools, about three steps maximum, so cushioning is something I can sacrifice. Etalon made their gear such as verniers and your protractor from stainless so corrosion shouldn't be an issue.

BT

Originally Posted by Anorak Bob

Nice protractor Michael.

That Swiss foam is even worse than the stuff Mitutoyo lined their cases with.

Well done Bob - I wondered if anyone would spot the prancing horse.
It could be worse. I have some Mitutoyo bore gauges that came in blow moulded cases. I bought second hand, but why would a new buyer want to spend hundreds of dollars on a gauge that arrives in a case that shares parentage with a disposable GMC battery drill?
The EVA foam seems reasonable. The first cabs off the rank are the Compac bore gauge cases. The boxes have that new running shoe smell at the moment. I'm going to leave the boxes open for a few days to let the solvents evaporate. I read on the Long Island Site tonight that there is a new model of Compac bore gauge so these are now officially museum pieces. Unfortunately as I have altered the original packaging mine are now worthless (but only to a collector).

Michael

sound proofing deadening, acoustic insulation foams, echo elimination, home studio soundproofing foam,

or try accoustic foam suppliers in adelaide...the mob I used some time ago was on churchill rd or prospect rd.....cant recall the name ...sorry
(not all accoustic foam is egg crate stuff)

speaking of churchill rd...Roche foam products maybe able to help

Perhaps you could cut up one of those closed cell sleeping mats used for hiking. The ones I am thinking of are about 1/2 inch thick and roll up; the cheap closed cell ones, not the self inflating type. Camping stores have them.

See: Wild Country EVA Hiking Mat - Single - Rays Outdoors

Not recommending this item or store - just the first one I found on the net.

K.

Dunlop foam in Melb may be able to help, or at least be able to point one in the right direction.

Hi Michael,
My starrett protractor has a velvet lined case.......
BT is spot on, out of 5 tesa and etalon cases I own that were foam lined, on all 5 the foam is gone. Several older cases are felt lined, the lid with wadding behind the felt to give it some softness. I like the idea of anti static mat, some of my mits gear has foam in the case almost identical to it.

Clark rubber is the same everywhere, top dollar for offcuts.

Cheers,
Ew

Originally Posted by Master Splinter

I worry about foam degradation and outgassing of nasties that cause rusting or staining - I'd suggest going to a craft shop and picking up some felt and seeing what cotton based padding they have, or talking to a car upholstery shop for their recommendations!)

I'd go with felt too. I don't think I have ever seen an old foam lined tool case with its foam intact but I've got 130+ year old felt lined cases that look near as good as the day they were made.
For what it's worth I think it's the oils on or in most instruments that leach out over time and disolve the foam. The foam used in air cleaner elements and oil breathers must be formulated to be more resistant but even that breaks down over time.

I did like that idea with the space invader foam too.
Cheers,
Greg.

Roche Foam, 399 Churchill rd Kilburn 8349 6144
They have EVA, closed cell, open cell etc.

I use them for my own gun cases and also for the custom cases I make, they are very good to deal with, often I cover the foam with high quality felt

On the related subject of felt, top quality felt can be bought at any decent snooker/pool shops. The colour is a bit limited though, and its not cheap. The last time I bought some was about 8 years ago and it was $100 a lineal meter then. It was 100% wool though.

Cheers,
Ew

You should be able to get a suitable foam from any of the places that make Road Cases.
Aerolyte or similar.

Roger

I finally got around to fitting the EVA foam (4 cases done so far, another 2 to go).
P1010708 (Medium).JPGP1010709 (Medium).JPG

Certainly better than the ratty old Swiss disintegrating foam that it was fitted with when it arrived. Bottom layer is 3mm, top layer is sections of 6mm overlaid with 3mm (so 9 in some places, 3 in others).

Michael
For those with an interest in Swiss tools, the centre knob locks the protractor but the knob off to the right is a gear running inside an internal gear for fine adjustment. I looked up some modern day catalogues and that feature has disappeared. I haven't gotten to cleaning up the protractor yet though.