Foam Liners

[Indy_Pen_Dance]

Does anyone know of a person or company that can custom cut foam? I have a cabinet with lots of drawers, that I would like foam inserts made for. This way the pens would be surrounded by foam so it would not roll around when the cabinet is moved.

[FLJeepGuy]

Well, these aren't foam, but they might serve. I've used quite a few, cut in half to make them 6"x16" to fit my 7" deep drawers in my Gerstner case. These are felt over plastic, come in several colors and are easily cut to size.

 

GoPens.com Slotted Tray Liners (12"x16")

[Indy_Pen_Dance]

Jeep,

That is going to be my last resort choice. The problem with these is it will allow the pens to wobble left and right when the cabinet is being transported. The foam idea will keep the pen from moving while the GoPens liners will allow the pens to rock like a cradle.

[Octo]

Some larger fabric stores sell foam of various thicknesses by the yard. You can cut foam with scissors if thin and with an electric carving knife if it is thick.

[bobs51]

Be careful with foam... depending on the type you purchase, there may be outgassing of chemicals which could affect the color or even the structural stability of your pens.

 

The black foam used in most electrical packaging should be safe... if you have any access to boxes from computers or other electronics you should find a supply.

 

The other thing that would be safe, although not cheap, would be the foam inserts sold for customizing camera cases... these should be available at the nearest camera store (not chain or big box). You might even find old camera cases on Craigslist in your area. Look for the hard plastic or metal ones that look like suitcases.

 

Bob

[Koshy]

+1 about being careful with foam. Some types of foam can stick to the plastic body of pens. My suggestion is to use PU (Polyurithane) sheets to line the boxes.

[Indy_Pen_Dance]

Bob,

The foam in the hard camera cases is exactly what I am looking for. Then I just need to find someone to cut the slots in the foam for the pens.

[Koshy]

Bob,

The foam in the hard camera cases is exactly what I am looking for. Then I just need to find someone to cut the slots in the foam for the pens.

If the foam in the hard camera box is what you are looking for, B&H Photo sell these for their Pelican Camera hard cases. Here is a link

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=pelican+case+foam&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

[NateB]

Bob,

The foam in the hard camera cases is exactly what I am looking for. Then I just need to find someone to cut the slots in the foam for the pens.

 

You may want to search for pick n pluck foam. It is pre-cut in a grid pattern. You pluck out the squares to the desired shape. It comes in various thicknesses and grid widths.

[bobs51]

Indy... Nate's suggestion about pick and pluck foam is exactly correct, although you will have to shop carefully to find foam pre-cut in small enough units for your pens.

 

If you get the photo case foam as suggested by Koshy, you will find that you can cut slits in it with any very sharp knife, like an X-Acto or those retracting blade utility knives, and then your pens will fit snugly in the slits.

 

Post a picture when you get it done.

 

Bob

[Indy_Pen_Dance]

Bob - Here is a link to a pluck and pick foam sheet. You mentioned the out gassing, do you think I would be safe with these?

 

Foam Sheets Link

[bobs51]

Bob - Here is a link to a pluck and pick foam sheet. You mentioned the out gassing, do you think I would be safe with these?

 

Foam Sheets Link

Indy... those look to be a safe foam, since they are made for equipment cases, not furniture stuffing. And the 5/8" cut should be good for your pens. I'd suggest you take some paper and mark out some 5/8" recatangles; then see if your pens will be held tightly enough for your purpose.

 

If you don't like the pre-cut, I see that they also offer various thicknesses of uncut foam.. you could use those and just cut slits for your pens. They would be held firmly that way, although they might be a little less visible pressed into the foam.

 

Also notice that their "foam cutting knife" is just a retractable blade utility knife...nothing special.

 

Hope this helps.

Bob

[farseer911]

Have you tried a wire and a 9 volt and just cutting the foam yourself? Homemade floral foam cutter? you can use wooden dowels to get the circular form just right.

[DanF]

The thing to watch out for in foam is the plasticizer that keeps it soft - it is essentially a solvent, and can melt plastic pen bodies too, if it is the wrong type. I guess the manufacturer ought to know, best to ask. I had a foam lined pro road guitar case that after twenty years started to decompose and eat the lacquer on my guitar. The foam was covered with a type of flocking, and when that wore off, it exposed the bare foam to the guitar body.

 

Dan

 

 

 

[Indy_Pen_Dance]

Have you tried a wire and a 9 volt and just cutting the foam yourself? Homemade floral foam cutter? you can use wooden dowels to get the circular form just right.

 

 

I will skip that. As a kid I tried to recharge a 9 volt with a couple of wires and the wall plug. Lets just say it did not go too well.

 

I ordered some pluck foam and will give that a try. Thank you all for some really great ideas and suggestions.

[farseer911]

Have you tried a wire and a 9 volt and just cutting the foam yourself? Homemade floral foam cutter? you can use wooden dowels to get the circular form just right.

 

 

I will skip that. As a kid I tried to recharge a 9 volt with a couple of wires and the wall plug. Lets just say it did not go too well.

 

I ordered some pluck foam and will give that a try. Thank you all for some really great ideas and suggestions.

 

 

It is called a floral foam cutter.... same concept. they sell them in craft shops for $40 but you can make one your self for the cost of a 9 volt wire wooden dowel and a screw... You could pick up an old scout hand book they show you how to make them too.

[klw]

Some larger fabric stores sell foam of various thicknesses by the yard. You can cut foam with scissors if thin and with an electric carving knife if it is thick.

 

Indeed. If you need to cut foam, nothing but nothing beats an electric carving knife with sharp blades. The secret is to let the knife do the work so that the foam always maintains it's full thickness. Don't press! That compresses the foam and leads to sloppy results.

[Indy_Pen_Dance]

Well I ordered several sheets of the 5/8" pluck and pick foam. It worked really well for what I wanted and I do not have to worry about the pens rolling around and banging like in the trays from GoPens. The trays would have been fine if I did not use this case for transporting. When I get some time I will post a photo.