Foam for film holder cases? Looking for a product.

[vinny]

So I've got plans to make some hard-side film holder cases and I'm in search of a suitable padded liner maybe 3/8-1/2" thick. Foam/rubber, whatever would work for items that fit snug. I don't want the holders to bounce around but they need to slide in/out without force.

criteria:
available in rolls or sheets
either peel/stick on or compatible with spray adhesives like super 77.
won't dry out/deteriorate over time

post specific links or product numbers if you've used something suitable.

[Eric Woodbury]

I use army ammo boxes for storing film holders. Works well for 4x5 and 5x7. I line them with 4-ply matt board. Not as padded as what you've asked for. There is a foam lining material that you can buy to line tool box drawers. That would work. I get that at OSH. Anybody that sells roll away tool boxes would have it. Still, I like a tight fit and matt board. Good luck. -EW

[Bob Mann]

McMaster Carr - they probably have what you want on their web site. I have used a few of their peel and stick sheets with no problems to line cases.

[Jac@stafford.net]

I use army ammo boxes for storing film holders.[...]

Yes, the steel versions with sealed, clamping lid are perfect for rough transport to a site, or for storage. Perfect! How strange, too.

There are civilian replicas in waterproof plastic, but I've not tried them because here they were more expensive than military surplus.

[vinny]

Bob, I shop there all the time but don't know what to buy. Can you recommend a specific product?

[Drew Bedo]

I use two old 35mm camera bags. They are padded, well built and have a shoulder strap.. I got mine for a few dollars each either at a pawn shop or a thrift store. In the field, the loaed film holders go into a PhotoBackpacker "Cascade" pouch.

[vinny]

C'mon guys, read my post!
I'm not looking for a carrying case of any kind.
I'm looking for PADDING, that's it.


Maybe i should mention that I'm making these cases for resale. They need to consist of proper materials.

[Richard Wasserman]

Would a closed cell sleeping bag pad work for your application?

[Jmarmck]

Not sure if this is what you are looking for but there is www.caseclub.com that sells custom sizes of various types of foam.
They have various thicknesses.
Hobby Lobby probably has some as well.

[Jmarmck]

I use army ammo boxes for storing film holders. Works well for 4x5 and 5x7. I line them with 4-ply matt board. Not as padded as what you've asked for. There is a foam lining material that you can buy to line tool box drawers. That would work. I get that at OSH. Anybody that sells roll away tool boxes would have it. Still, I like a tight fit and matt board. Good luck. -EW

!!! I happen to have a couple of those! Will give this a try. Thanks

[vinny]

Would a closed cell sleeping bag pad work for your application?

Not really. It's hard to find in anything but blue and the surface tears. I've used it before.

Maybe i should mention that I'm making these cases for resale. They need to consist of proper materials.

[vinny]

Not sure if this is what you are looking for but there is www.caseclub.com that sells custom sizes of various types of foam.
They have various thicknesses.
Hobby Lobby probably has some as well.

I'm looking for high quality stuff intended for use inside equipment cases, not hobby store stuff. The caseclub linkis at least closer to something i could use but it looks like open cell foam that would be too soft. Also looks like they sell cases, not raw materials.

[Joe Smigiel]

Hey Vinny. This may not be what you are looking for because of the fact it will deteriorate over time, but I bought some foam padding from this company in sheets as peel-and-pluck squares and eggshell pattern a couple years ago. They seemed to have a good product variety at low prices. Check out their product line for foam bags or other custom stuff.

http://www.foambymail.com/custom-packaging.html

[vinny]

Hey Vinny. This may not be what you are looking for because of the fact it will deteriorate over time, but I bought some foam padding from this company in sheets as peel-and-pluck squares and eggshell pattern a couple years ago. They seemed to have a good product variety at low prices. Check out their product line for foam bags or other custom stuff.

http://www.foambymail.com/custom-packaging.html

now we're talking. getting warmer. thanks Joe

[jp]

Maybe a yoga mat. Something that won't hold dirt or dust to contaminate the holders.

[Jmarmck]

I'm looking for high quality stuff intended for use inside equipment cases, not hobby store stuff. The caseclub linkis at least closer to something i could use but it looks like open cell foam that would be too soft. Also looks like they sell cases, not raw materials.

I outfitted an old Halliburton case with their product. Tis very stiff and closed cell foam. I doubt it is too soft. It is almost too hard for my MF gear. Give them a call. Great people to deal with.

[Leszek Vogt]

I have some (almost 3/8" thick) that's really high density....I'd guess 3X regular foam...and it's black....and it doesn't seem to want to shred. This stuff comes in 60" rolls....and no idea what's called. My friend uses tons of this stuff to make backpacks (padding).

Les

[ghostcount]

C'mon guys, read my post!
I'm not looking for a carrying case of any kind.
I'm looking for PADDING, that's it.


Maybe i should mention that I'm making these cases for resale. They need to consist of proper materials.

Try Ehthylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) (http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=eva+foam+sheets&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=28501641746&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16760295576784688880&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_9ovnxcy7xy_b) foam.

[Daniel Stone]

Vinny,
I made some dividers for cases using anti-static felt and 1/2" thick foam, sourced from Joann Fabrics (gotta love that "50% off any 1 cut" coupon!). I then used some 'coroplast' material to make the rigid centers of the dividers for some of my Pelican cases. 4'x8' sheet of coroplast was ~$15 from Home Depot, IIRC. Total cost to outfit 3+ cases: less than $75.

Heres some pictures of one of them:

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a602/acreativemind88/57TechnikaKit_web.jpg~original

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a602/acreativemind88/DIYdividers_web.jpg~original

[Jim Jones]

Carpet foam padding seems durable. It will probably need to be covered with fabric as Daniel illustrates above.

[Colin Graham]

I've never been able to find a bulk 1/2" foam that's its own durable finished surface, especially if it needs to be low-friction as well. Have you seen something similar in use in another product? If so I'd try to contact them for their source. I ended up settling for ripstop nylon liner over closed-cell foam.

Neoprene was the closest I ever found to a durable stand-alone foam, but didn't like the high friction surface and texture of it. McMaster has it in thicknesses from 1/8" through 1" with a bunch in between. It's abrasion and weather resistant, and there's an adhesive-backed version, but it's expensive. It's also relatively heavy at 17 lbs per cubic foot. EVA foams are around 2 lbs/cu.ft.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-foam-sheets/=vpzj1b

They also have an 'Abrasion Resistant Fabric Faced Neoprene' but that's only available in 1/4" max. Never have tried that.

[Liquid Artist]

How about something like a Synthetic Cork board.
https://www.warmlyyours.com/en-CA/posts/floor-heating--Introducing-CeraZorb-Synthetic-Cork-Arriving-May-30-2011-115

[vinny]

How about something like a Synthetic Cork board.
https://www.warmlyyours.com/en-CA/posts/floor-heating--Introducing-CeraZorb-Synthetic-Cork-Arriving-May-30-2011-115

I'm making cases for film holders. I used flooring when I remodeled my kitchen.

[Robert Oliver]

Sleeping pad for backpacking... The cheap closed cell foam stuff

[Tin Can]

Quick look at the McMaster link I picked this. http://www.mcmaster.com/#8865k71/=vq7gmo

I like how this sounds, but...


My method is buy samples.

[Daniel Stone]

$112 per 4x4' sheet, plus shipping Randy... oof

[Tin Can]

and?

Then adjust the parameters. Use smooth 1/4".

http://www.mcmaster.com/#8722k15/=vq9s5m

[Roger Thoms]

How about Neoprene wetsuit fabric. Or maybe 200 Denier Oxford Foam Laminate*from Seattle fabrics. Scroll down , it's near the bottom. http://www.seattlefabrics.com/neoprene.html#200%20D%20Oxford%20Foam%20Laminate

I actually thought the synthetic cork might have potential, but suspect it's to firm. Randy's stuff looks nice too, other than the price.

Roger

[Roger Thoms]

$112 per 4x4' sheet, plus shipping Randy... oof

oof? Can't figure this one out.

Roger

[Tin Can]

and?

Then adjust the parameters. Use smooth 1/4".

http://www.mcmaster.com/#8722k15/=vq9s5m

I'm ordering this in black to check it, adding it to an order I was building.

[gleaf]

Check with the online folks at Foam Factory http://www.thefoamfactory.com/
Check out either open cell or closed cell I use the "Polyethylene Roll" closed cell.
Buy by the foot from a 50 inch wide roll.
Pretty much a hand cut edge. If you would like a sample I have some 1/2 inch
I use the 3M foam glue or less aggressive grab and hold than Super 77.

[William Whitaker]

I just contacted this place: http://www.foamforyou.com/
and expect to place an order soon. I've not yet done business with them, so really too soon to say. But they have been responsive to emails, fwiw, and that's a start.

In the past I have used closed cell foam camping pads as already mentioned. It seemed to work well and was readily available at a reasonable price.

[HMG]

I would use foam designed for electronics packaging. Tends to have higher density and does not deteriorate. I have some I've had in cases for 30 years. Though without regular exposure to light. You might be able to find it locally, if not it's available online.

[winterclock]

Vinny, try this polyethylene foam. It is very resilient without being squishy, holds its shape well and cuts easily with either a sharp knife or hotwire. It has a smooth outer surface that is somewhat slippery and glues well with 3m77. I use a heat gun to clean up cut edges. I would use the 4lb foam for lens cases. If you need something even stiffer try polystyrene foam. http://www.thefoamfactory.com/packagingfoam/polyethylenefoam.html

[Drew Bedo]

Vinny,
I made some dividers for cases using anti-static felt and 1/2" thick foam, sourced from Joann Fabrics (gotta love that "50% off any 1 cut" coupon!). I then used some 'coroplast' material to make the rigid centers of the dividers for some of my Pelican cases. 4'x8' sheet of coroplast was ~$15 from Home Depot, IIRC. Total cost to outfit 3+ cases: less than $75.

Heres some pictures of one of them:


Daniel: Please check your PMs.

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a602/acreativemind88/57TechnikaKit_web.jpg~original

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a602/acreativemind88/DIYdividers_web.jpg~original

[HMG]

Vinny,
I made some dividers for cases using anti-static felt and 1/2" thick foam, sourced from Joann Fabrics (gotta love that "50% off any 1 cut" coupon!). I then used some 'coroplast' material to make the rigid centers of the dividers for some of my Pelican cases. 4'x8' sheet of coroplast was ~$15 from Home Depot, IIRC. Total cost to outfit 3+ cases: less than $75.



How did you deal with the 3 sides of the felt when wrapping around the foam/coroplast? The spray glue?

[Daniel Stone]

How did you deal with the 3 sides of the felt when wrapping around the foam/coroplast? The spray glue?

Not following you...

I sprayed the adhesive onto the material itself, where it would contact the coroplast and foam(I wanted it to be tight).
***READ THE DIRECTIONS ON THE BACK OF THE CAN: Most spray adhesives that are designed for foam need to allow for some "pre-contact" time, so they tack up some. I did this(NOT waiting), mistakenly on the first set of dividers, and it got a little messy, so I had to make replacement pieces :(

FWIW, I'm going to try sewing some "sleeves" to make padded dividers on some future cases, next. This will allow me to slip the rigid interior pieces into those sewn "sleeves", therefore eliminating the need to glue the material to the outer fabric.

I'll be making a video(as requested by a number of people here) in the coming weeks, when I have enough time to do so :p . I'll post it on YouTube, so it'll be easy to reference.

-Dan

[HMG]

Not following you...


-Dan

It looks to me that the felt extends a bit past the foam/coroplast and that the felt is attached to itself. Like the edges of ravioli.

[Daniel Stone]

It looks to me that the felt extends a bit past the foam/coroplast and that the felt is attached to itself. Like the edges of ravioli.

Ah, gotcha... Ravioli, making me hungry :p!

On some of them, it does. I simply sprayed the back of the material with the adhesive(laying flat on a board, on the ground), then overlaid the divider piece(fully assembled), then flipped each side over, pinching the sides and smoothing out the surface to have a nice even surface without ripples or pinched fabric.

[Drew Bedo]

I am not clear on what the stiffening material is?

Any pics of the assembly process?

[vinny]

I am not clear on what the stiffening material is?

Any pics of the assembly process?

It's coroplast which he mentions is his first post. Please start another thread or send Daniel a message as none of this applies to my thread. thanks

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Vinny, amazing isn't it. let me think about it. I'm not sure I have the answer. Good luck.

[Ginette]

So I've got plans to make some hard-side film holder cases and I'm in search of a suitable padded liner maybe 3/8-1/2" thick. Foam/rubber, whatever would work for items that fit snug. I don't want the holders to bounce around but they need to slide in/out without force.

criteria:
available in rolls or sheets
either peel/stick on or compatible with spray adhesives like super 77.
won't dry out/deteriorate over time

post specific links or product numbers if you've used something suitable.

I don't think that film holders need really padding. You didn't say if you wish to do individual case or multiple holders cases but I think that the close fit of the sides of the case and dividers is the more important feature.
Example if your dividers are located just under the retained tab, maybe you will need only a little padding on the closing top and the holders will not move.

Any stable foam, polyethylene or polypropylene or polyester (expensive) will do a good job. No cheap polyurethane that will disintegrate and get sticky over time.