Weapons Case Hotwire Foam Cutting - 21 Pix (Diagram Added 6/20/12)

[Big bug]

I applaud you sir. Very neighborly...
God Bless

Originally Posted by finyllw

atc4usmc,

I will try to get a 1911 and mag template copied and sent out ASAP.

echoarms,

In a previous post I offered my cutter for all to use. Contact me if you want/need to cut some foam.

[patriot_man]

Will this also work for closed cell foam? Anyone know?

[Cary1911]

this thread is awesome. i have been wondering where to buy foam for my rifle case, and how to build a foam cutte, and this thread delivered. thanks!

[Quinc]

Originally Posted by reloadyour9

Great job on the cutting and the write up OP! Guys, one thing that needs to be mentioned as I did not see it in any of the pages.......be careful with the material you are buying!! I own a foam fabrication shop here in LA and do plenty of case work for Pelican as well as other companies (however mine is cut on a waterjet), and polyurethanes, or ethers, are highly flammable. Make sure you do one of two things, buy only flame retardant material, or do not stop while in the process of hot wiring the foam, or up in smoke it goes. Trust me, I almost burnt down my building several times when one of my automated hot wire tables motor went out while in the process of hot wiring.

Make sure you find out what material companies like Miller are selling you, and if you are unsure, PM me. The reps at Miller dont know much about the material, especially when it comes to the properties ( I supply them, they are just a distributor of my product).

Also, you can test the material by putting a lighter to it. It will burn, but if you remove the flame and it continues to burn, it is not flame retardant, so take extra precautions when hot wiring. If the fire goes out, you've got some good stuff (most likely 2# char ester. Ethers are no bueno, esters are FR.

Again OP, great job! Didn't mean to hijack, just want people to be aware. All it takes is somebody to interrupt while wiring, and the garage is toast.

Here is one I did, but using polyethylene, which is a closed cell material (water resistant)

So group buy?

[Cary1911]

Originally Posted by Outsiders

here's my set up.

this is awesome. exactly what i want to do for mine, similar firearms and all.

[atc4usmc]

Anyone tried this with pick n pluck? I have a case laying around with pick n pluck that I would like to use. If not, I guess Ill have to replace the foam.

[ChuckD]

Does it have to be "Nichromium" wire? Would 24ga copper wire work? Just wondering 'cause I have tons of that.

[Dark Sky Solutions]

Originally Posted by ChuckD

Does it have to be "Nichromium" wire? Would 24ga copper wire work? Just wondering 'cause I have tons of that.

I tried copper wire on my rig and couldn't get the heat out of it. Used the nichro wire and worked like a charm


Sent from my IPad so... Ease off the spelling

[P.Charm]

Originally Posted by ChuckD

Does it have to be "Nichromium" wire? Would 24ga copper wire work? Just wondering 'cause I have tons of that.

nicromium has resistance. the 24ga wire doesn't, well not enough to heat up. it will just short out the power supply and shut it down or catch fire and or explode.

[Kingofthehill]

I cut EPP foam for RC airplanes and if someone wants an easier way, there is 1 mod to your setup if you don't mind.

Instead of the Transformer you can use an Automotive battery charger and still adjust the amperage with a home/wall/light dimmer switch/knob. As for the wire, head to the local guitar/music shop or even fishing leader wire and buy some and play around with what works best on your foam/amperage setup.. I don't even remember what i settled on finally on my foam cutter since i have it dialed in so well i never bust the wire and bought something like 20 feet of it when i first started out.

You did a great job BTW... Very well done.

JOe

[Greerdom]

Originally Posted by Outsiders

thanks for posting this!! I finished buildin mine and already cut a few and came out clean! Anybody in San Diego wants to have theirs cut, holla!

I would LOVE to take you up on this offer. Just purchased a Colt 6920 and a Pelican 1700. PM sent. Thanks to the OP, and all of CGN for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

[atc4usmc]

Greedom, I believe he transferred out of CA. He's in the Navy!

[Greerdom]

True story, he moved cross country. Thank you for the "heads up". Fortunately, another Calgunner kindly offered the use of their cutter. LOVE this damn place! Thanks again for the hospitality.

[atc4usmc]

Oh really...ask said cal gunner if I can get in on the action!

And yes, this place is great!

[Dark Sky Solutions]

Well I got tired of fumbling with my homemade setup. I broke down and am waiting for my proxxom hot wire cutter to come in the mail!!!! Can't wait


Sent from my IPad so... Ease off the spelling

[Elwood_Blues]

^ Cheater

[Dark Sky Solutions]

Originally Posted by Elwood_Blues

^ Cheater

Yeah I know. I have been messing with new wire and can't get the voltage right from my tattoo gun power supply so instead of trying more ingot abgreatbdeal on one and did it.

I cheated,


Sent from my IPad so... Ease off the spelling

[Outsiders]

Originally Posted by Greerdom

True story, he moved cross country. Thank you for the "heads up". Fortunately, another Calgunner kindly offered the use of their cutter. LOVE this damn place! Thanks again for the hospitality.

Yea sorry guys! Send ur stuff here and i'll cut it! Im in Florida now! LOL! .... YESE! hicap mags and no bullet button!!! As much as i hated the cali gun laws, I still rather be there in cali... WESTSIDE FO' LIFE. HAH!

[Greerdom]

I couldn't be happier with the way mine turned out. A million thanks again to the CGN community and the OP.

[atc4usmc]

That looks great! Nicely done.

[s*******n]

Is there a Calgunner in the SF Bay Area who has a foam cutter and can help me? THANKS!

[EssDee]

Sweeeeett!!!!!!

[Bonecrusher]

I friggin love the Clean, Organized looks of a quality foam set-up. Excellent write up. Done right, it makes you feel a bit more professional, as in 007ish!

[Greerdom]

Originally Posted by atc4usmc

That looks great! Nicely done.

Originally Posted by Sdchopshop

Sweeeeett!!!!!!

Thanks boys! Feeling very 007ish sums it pretty darn well.

[Letterman52]

Anybody willing to help me out with this in the Temecula area. I have to Pelican 1720's I'm looking to do.

[Dark Sky Solutions]

Nice triple post brother.

I am in SD and am waiting on my new cutter to arrive still. I will keep you posted.

Originally Posted by Letterman52

Anybody willing to help me out with this in the Temecula area? I have two Pelican 1720's I'm looking to do.

[Letterman52]

Fixed. Yeah the internet isn't all that great at work. Anyways thanks. Please let me know.

[finyllw]

Letterman52

I'm in Yorna Linda if you want to make the drive. You can work at my place or borrow mine if you would like.

[Dark Sky Solutions]

Just got my new Proxxon cutter last night!!!!!

Anyone know where I can get some good foam in SD area?

[Letterman52]

I should be getting my cases this weekend. I'll PM you if I do.

[Elwood_Blues]

Originally Posted by Dark Sky Solutions

Just got my new Proxxon cutter last night!!!!!

Anyone know where I can get some good foam in SD area?

Here:
http://www.caseman.com/category/Foam-Replacements.html

I think Nalpak in El Cajon has them too...
http://www.nalpak.com/

EDIT: oh yeah, and this guy:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/werica2012/m...p2047675.l2562

[P.Charm]

Originally Posted by Dark Sky Solutions

Just got my new Proxxon cutter last night!!!!!

Anyone know where I can get some good foam in SD area?

cheaper to buy online. I forgot where I got mine but it came out to 20bucks shipped for a top (egg crate) and bottom.

[atc4usmc]

Anyone tried cutting the pick-n-pluck foam with a cutter? I have a 1450 that I am looking to cut for pistols but it has the P&P foam. Should I sell/scrap that and get non-P&P or closed cell?

[P.Charm]

Originally Posted by atc4usmc

Anyone tried cutting the pick-n-pluck foam with a cutter? I have a 1450 that I am looking to cut for pistols but it has the P&P foam. Should I sell/scrap that and get non-P&P or closed cell?

scrap the pick and pull.

[rkt88edmo]

I would definitely sell the pick and pluck if you are going to cut your own. PnP works great for pistols though.

[P.Charm]

Originally Posted by rkt88edmo

I would definitely sell the pick and pluck if you are going to cut your own. PnP works great for pistols though.

if you are going to go through the trouble of using a hotwire for a rifle why not use it for a pistol? I just don't like the pick and pull at all. doesn't look good.

[Dark Sky Solutions]

Anyone have a good inline site for foam?


Sent from my IPad so... Ease off the spelling

[us3]

Originally Posted by Dark Sky Solutions

Anyone have a good inline site for foam?


Sent from my IPad so... Ease off the spelling

Hello

For local raw foam:

http://www.keystonbros.com/


For local 2' x 3' sheets of Pelican pick and pluck foam:

http://www.caseman.com/


Dealt with both, both great companies.

Thanks

Matt

[Bobio]

Nice job. When I cut foam I'm like Jack the Ripper.

[Elwood_Blues]

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft will have 50% off high density foam by-the-yard on February 1st and 2nd, that's Fri, Sat. They have 1/2"-5" thick. Sale $5.49-$37.49 per yard. The only catch is, it's seafoam green

Kinda like this: