Back in the 90’s there was a brief mention of a Taunton toolbox competition finalist who built his winning piece out of a guitar case. The guitar case was lined with foam in which the cabinetmaker had recessed perfectly shaped spots for his hand tools. He did not cut the recesses, but instead formed them around the tools while the foam was undried and the tools were in place. Does anyone have any experience doing this? Or might anyone guess how it would be done?
He fit multiple planes, chisels, mallets, drawknives, etc.
Replies
Someone was asking a similar question on another forum a few days ago and this stuff came to mind. You just press the item into place.
http://scientificsonline.com/product.asp?pn=3081113&sid=2008FS&eid=2008FS&mr:trackingCode=42641B17-E449-DD11-AFF6-000423C27502&mr:referralID=NA&bhcd2=1215258272
There's got to be a cheaper source somewhere that isn't pricing this stuff as a medical or forensic supply but I haven't located one yet.
If you build it he will come.
I don't think that foam would work here--it's not flexible, and stays "impressionable" (i.e., it never "sets").
-Steve
I see a lot of parts in the plumbing lines that are similar. You spray foam into a bag, and set the part on the bag. Then place another bag o foam on top and box it up. Using the triple expansion foam you might be able to duplicate this, or you might end up with foam all over you tools (would be my luck). I think standard foam and a hot wire, like on an old style solder gun and you can sculpt any thing you want. If you are using sections, you don't have to worry about the mistake, toss it and start with a fresh piece.
Are you going to flock the foam?
AZMO
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-------(*)/ (*) http://www.EarthArtLandscape.com
Soak the flexible foam in water and freeze it. Then use an air powered die grinder to make the inlets for the tools. Refreeze if it starts to thaw out before your done.
When you get the final shape cut, that out the foam, squeeze out as much moisture as you can and then let it dry out.
I have had acceptable results with the canned low expansion weather seal foam, shot into a zip lock freezer bag, and letting it expand to fit hand guns, so the same should work for tools.
I use an electric carving knife. It works great.Len
"You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time. " J. S. Knox
You can do this with two-part foam (http://www.tigerfoam.com/?gclid=CJvGusjcrZQCFQdxHgodf2vUtg). You place your tools (or whatever you want to pack) onto a flat surface, cover them with plastic wrap (or maybe some type of releasing agent, like grease, that is suitable for the particular foam you are using) and then the box. Then simplyfill the box with the foam which expands to fill all the voids. Pull out the tools and trim to final fit.
I've seen this done for shipping, e.g., electronic equimpent. The equipment is placed in the shipping box with plastic bags around it that are then filled with foam, resulting in custom-fit foam packaging.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
A slight digression, but it has been my experience that unprotected steel in long contact with foam tends to rust at the contact point(s), depending, of course, on the humidity in the storage area.
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