Cutting Case Foam

[cjs88]

I recently cut my cases foam with a pocket knife. Left it with pretty jagged cuts. What is the best tool to use to cut out foam to fit your rifle and gear snuggly in the case?

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Plenty of reading material to go through.

Cutting foam in a pelican case

What do you all use to cut the foam? Want a very clean "made for it" kind of look. Thanks!

www.snipershide.com

Demo how to cut foam in rifle case from Optics Planet

https://youtu.be/mXhT7WtIsTg

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Cutting foam in a pelican case

Can anyone please assist me with the proper way to cut out the foam in my pelican gun case? Or refer me to a company that can help me.

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Cutting Case Foam

I just built my hot wire cutter to cut some case foam. Is the NiChrome wire necessary? Could I use stainless wire? Im using the radioshack transformer / dimmer switch defice to heat the wire.

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Pelican case foam cutting advice/techniques

I have two that I bought from Midway during Christmas. One for my Noveske SBR and the other is for my FNH A5M. What are some of the better techniques you have used or heard of. I just want to make sure that I don't mess it up. I've seen a few videos on YouTube, but wanted to hear from SH members...

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Cutting Foam in my Pelican Case?

What is the best way to cut the foam in a Pelican case to ensure it doesn't look like I did it with a butter knife? I've heard a hot knife or hot wire is the best way, but I don't know how to do that myself or anywhere that can do it for me. If I trace the pattern myself and ship it, where can I...

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[cjs88]

Thanks.

 

[Olen_4504]

This was done with a pocket knife just fine...using a up and down sawing motion.

 

[Reload10]

I used an electric knife from harbor freight. Worked great.

 

[TRPrecision]

^^^this^^^
I use a Walmart electric carving knife. I think it was $12. Cuts wonderful clean lines.

 

[cjs88]

I just went too fast I guess.

 

[SourMash]

This was done with a pocket knife just fine...using a up and down sawing motion.
View attachment 7476104

That looks really clean!

 

[Strykervet]

If you have an old toaster you can do without you can turn the nichrome wire into a hot knife. If you have a cheap pistol grip soldering gun, it's even better, professional almost. You can also fasten the nichrome to a knife blade and power that. Just be careful/safe fucking with heat and electricity.

When I got my Mk20, the box it came in has the foam cut to fit a hard case. Now that's smart, they all should do this.

Personally I just wrap 'em in a blanket and throw 'em behind the seat. I have a few cases for travel or mail but almost never use 'em.

 

[AllenOne1]

I went with the classic fish filet knife. Worked very well.

 

[CaptNemo]

Used an old electric carving knife that I picked up at a yard sale for $ 5.00.
I'd lay money that knife has cut more foam than it cut turkey...

 

[obk]

I put a layer of gaffer tape on, draw the pattern, and use a knife in a sawing motion with good enough results.

 

[LuvDog]

The last time I tried the electric knife route, it didn't start very well. So I just went with a sharp utility knife.

 

[AlphaThree]

I have used a scalpel with pretty good results. I’m sure a razor blade would do just as well

 

[jeepone]

Use an electric carving knife.

 

[Kickin45]

I soak mine in water, ring them out a bit and throw it in the freezer.
Perfect cuts

 

[Maelstrom]

I soak mine in water, ring them out a bit and throw it in the freezer.
Perfect cuts

I would suggest as the weather gets colder lay the foam outside to and let it harden from the cold first. It does make the cuts easier. I use a hot wire cutter I got from Amazon several years ago. Just take your time make sure you leave finger grooves to remove things easier.

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[Sixdasha]

I drew out my pattern with a sharpie and used a snap off blade stye, utility knife. It worked great till the blade got a little dull and I started "sawing" at it. Even then, it worked good.

 

[shoobe01]

I went with the classic fish filet knife. Worked very well.

My choice for years also. Works great. But also I am the handy guy who went to art school knows how to cut things, etc. so end up doing this not just for myself, but assigned it by my friends, etc. Have reproduced lines of foam for several cases, sometimes because surplus stuff is old, sometimes people are jackholes and leave the (big old school gas-cooled) thermal case open on a rainy night, don't tell me for a week

Fillet knife is good as it's very thin, very sharp, and long. Many other systems end up cutting in multiple passes, or squishing the foam first. Pay attention to the curve of the blade and your angle to get neat, straight lines.

And yeah, never freehand. Draw it out first. Probably just in Sharpie on the BOTTOM so no one sees the lines when done. Use a ruler. Measure twice, and all that.

If you want to make deeper cuts yet, or make a blind space such as a bottom that things can't get under, then assemble from parts. Stack the foam, plan and glue. Yes, most glues will melt foams so get some Camie 303 (that's a brand and model) spray adhesive for foams. There may be others, but that's what I use.

Most foam is compliant, so you can generally get away with ignoring curves if you plan ahead at all.

 

[Keel Haul]

I went the four inch utility knife route and went slow. While not completely perfect it was fine for what I needed.