mikeym1a
Active Member
Im in need of a company that can precision cut the foam exactly to my gun and other accessories in a pelican case. Has any one here done this or know of a company that provides this service? Thanks.
Who does Precision cut foam for pelican case?
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SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
If there is, it's news to me. The custom fitted foam, cut to a particulat firearm is die cut. Your best option is pick-n-pluck or a steady hand with the electric carving knife....
I would imagine however, that if yoiur wallet is large enough, anything is possible....
I would imagine however, that if yoiur wallet is large enough, anything is possible....
Dr. Vette
Well-Known Member
It's available (you can Google it) but it will cost more than the case. I looked into it about 2 years ago. Even the "pluck" foam is not cheap, but it's cheaper than having the foam custom cut.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
I figured it was a 'deep wallet' thing. Fot the right price anything is doable.
webs
Well-Known Member
You should find someone with a water jet, they can cut anything. We have a few laser systems at work and it's kind of interesting to see that you can cut rubber, plexiglass and such.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
It's not finding someone with the equipment, it's paying for the machine time and setup time that costs.
I own a 3 axis bed cutter that runs Hi-Definition Plasma but can run waterjet or laser depending on material cut and I run Solid Works and DWG Tru-View.
I cut my foam with an electric carving knife that I borrowed from the neighbor across the way beacuse the time involved in developing the cut program and then sending it to one of my contractors to cut, the expense is still appreciably more than the carving knife scenario.
Sometimes, the low road is more efficient not only cost wise, but time wise too.
I own a 3 axis bed cutter that runs Hi-Definition Plasma but can run waterjet or laser depending on material cut and I run Solid Works and DWG Tru-View.
I cut my foam with an electric carving knife that I borrowed from the neighbor across the way beacuse the time involved in developing the cut program and then sending it to one of my contractors to cut, the expense is still appreciably more than the carving knife scenario.
Sometimes, the low road is more efficient not only cost wise, but time wise too.
geargrinder
Well-Known Member
Dr. Vette
Well-Known Member
Of course they do, but note that they don't post prices.
If they did, you wouldn't even ask about it unless you had an ultra expensive rifle that had to be fit precisely. If I recall it's $200-250 to have it cut, assuming your rifle fits one of their few standard patterns. Custom cutting goes up from there.
mikeym1a
Active Member
Looks like I'll be plucking foam.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
Again, for a price. If you delve into the blurb a bit further, you'll find that they prefer production cutouts, that is, not a one off rifle case insert but a production, as in many cutouts.
When you spread the setup over many units, the cost comes down to a reasonable price per unit.
mikeym1a
Active Member
Thanks so much for that info. Perfect timing as well.
SidecarFlip
Well-Known Member
Did a little digging into this foam thing and found out some things. One, of course is the OEM custom cut which is absurdly expensive unless your rifle/pistol is over the top in price in the first place...
The second option is pick-n-pluck foam inserts but you won't get the exact shape because the pull out sections are square. Works for ammo boxes and such, not so good for rifles and pistols.....
Third option is the electric carving knife as illistrated on You-Tube in various video's and the way I went this time. It's an exercise in patience to get the exact shape and carving knives aren't really meant to cut sharp corners so it takes lots of time and the end result might still not be that good. I lucked out and mine came out acceptable.
The forth option and the one I like best and will use from now on is the Hot Wire Method. An outfit by the name of Proxxon (and others) offers a hot wire knife for hobby foam cutting. It seems as though guys that have model railroads use foam to make scenery and crafts people cut foam to different shapes (for what I have no idea) but the hot wire knife is the preferred method and quick I might add.
It's basically a thin wire supported between a metal base and a metal standoff and it's charged electrically and gets red hot, instantly. The Proxxon is a handheld tool that 'slices' (melts) the foam with a thin kerf and seals the pores as it goes through the foam. It's capable of square corners or any shape or tracing so all the little shapes on your rifle/pistol can be faithfully reproduced in the foam, quickly and easily (or as close as you trace the part on the foam.....
The wires are replaceable on all the tools and attach to the posts easily so all thats needed to start an inside foam cutout is a small hole in the foam for the wire to go through.
You want to cut in a well ventilated place because the hot wire makes the foam stink a bit and of course, don't touch the wire, it's red hot.
The tools cost about 50 bucks for a real good one down to 15 for a cheapo. Goggle up Hot Wire Cutter or Proxxon and have a look. I have a Proxxon now and plan on using it from now on. There are some enlightening vids on You-Tube showing the hot wire cutter, cutting foam to give you an idea.
I'd rather spend 50 and have the tool handy than spend a couple hundred to have someone else cut the foam.
Hope that helps.....
The second option is pick-n-pluck foam inserts but you won't get the exact shape because the pull out sections are square. Works for ammo boxes and such, not so good for rifles and pistols.....
Third option is the electric carving knife as illistrated on You-Tube in various video's and the way I went this time. It's an exercise in patience to get the exact shape and carving knives aren't really meant to cut sharp corners so it takes lots of time and the end result might still not be that good. I lucked out and mine came out acceptable.
The forth option and the one I like best and will use from now on is the Hot Wire Method. An outfit by the name of Proxxon (and others) offers a hot wire knife for hobby foam cutting. It seems as though guys that have model railroads use foam to make scenery and crafts people cut foam to different shapes (for what I have no idea) but the hot wire knife is the preferred method and quick I might add.
It's basically a thin wire supported between a metal base and a metal standoff and it's charged electrically and gets red hot, instantly. The Proxxon is a handheld tool that 'slices' (melts) the foam with a thin kerf and seals the pores as it goes through the foam. It's capable of square corners or any shape or tracing so all the little shapes on your rifle/pistol can be faithfully reproduced in the foam, quickly and easily (or as close as you trace the part on the foam.....
The wires are replaceable on all the tools and attach to the posts easily so all thats needed to start an inside foam cutout is a small hole in the foam for the wire to go through.
You want to cut in a well ventilated place because the hot wire makes the foam stink a bit and of course, don't touch the wire, it's red hot.
The tools cost about 50 bucks for a real good one down to 15 for a cheapo. Goggle up Hot Wire Cutter or Proxxon and have a look. I have a Proxxon now and plan on using it from now on. There are some enlightening vids on You-Tube showing the hot wire cutter, cutting foam to give you an idea.
I'd rather spend 50 and have the tool handy than spend a couple hundred to have someone else cut the foam.
Hope that helps.....
