Hard case foam layout (airline approved type cases)

[Blackstuff]

Hello all,

I bought a large rifle case at the Northern Shooting Show (SKB i-Series) which was secondhand and the foam fitted inside is for a military metal detector and accessories. As I’m not a ‘detectorist’ I’m looking to replace the foam. A kind chap on this forum directed me to a good online site called E-Foam which is where I’m going to buy it from.

My question is, for those of you who have professionally (or even not) fitted foam, what thicknesses have you got the foam layers? Obviously a base layer is required for the bottom of the case, I was thinking 40mm for that, which leaves me 75mm to take the foam up to the height of the lip of the bottom half of the case. Do your cases have a base layer, then a single layer you cut to the shape of the guns/equipment fitted, or are their multiple layers, and if so how thick is each?

i.e. 40mm base layer (no cuts, or perhaps just small holes for charging handles etc to stick into) and one 75mm layer that is cut to the form of the guns I put in OR

40mm base layer, 1 x 35mm layer and 1x 40mm layer, both cut to form OR

35mm base layer and 2 x 40mm layers?

Also, when you gun is placed in the case do it protrude above the lip of the case, so it is pressed into the foam on the lid (and therefore the base layer of my case would need to be deep enough for the guns to be proud of the foam), or is it entirely contained within the foam? I’m just thinking if the guns do not contact the layer on the lid, any lateral movement would have to be absorbed by the foam around the gun, rather than the foam around the gun and the friction force from the lid?

Any help (especially photos) would help

I believe this is the case I have

http://www.skbcases.co.uk/skb-3i-5014-6 ... -case.html

And before someone suggests getting the foam from the case company, they want more for the foam than I paid for the case!

[ovenpaa]

Hmmm... I know of a company who does the foam inserts to order and at a reasonable price or they were a few years ago. I will see if I can find some contact details.

[ovenpaa]

Here you go

http://www.absolutecasing.co.uk/

[Blackstuff]

Thanks for the tip, i'll give them an email for a quote but i'd be surprised if they can beat efoam's price.

I'm really after the configuration of the foam in other peoples cases though

[Rarms]

All the Peli cases and Storm cases I have had over the years have three layers. Roughly all the same thickness at about 30-40mm. One in the top, one on the bottom, then I do the cut outs on the middle one.

Use a hot wire cutter and drawn round templates for the cuts.

[Dark Skies]

I just measure up the case and buy an oblong of pick and plug foam about an inch and a half higher than the open case. As the name suggests you pick out the shape of the item to be protected by plucking out the pre-cut 1cm square cubes (actually lengthways rectangles). You can contour the depth of each cube easily with a sharp scalpel. I line the lid with a fairly rigid egg foam - the pick and pluck is quite squidgy so it envelopes / sandwiches the item nicely.

[Tonyc]

Three layers needed - cut the middle layer pattern and keep the cut outs, this can be replaced to form a new bottom layer and you can then cut the old bottom layer for a diferent pattern, or buy a spare middle layer for a different pattern. Ive got three patterns cut to accommodate different guns.

[Blackstuff]

Thanks for the info gents.

Overpaa - That company actually wanted slightly more than SKB OEM foam! Both of which were more than I paid for the case!

Dark Skies - I looked at the pick-n-pluck foam but couldn't find it in single lengths long enough for my case. I've also heard reports that it doesn't last as long as standard type foam?

Rarms - Due to the depth of my case there would be a significant gap between the lid foam and the middle section if it were kept to just 40mm. I was wondering whether to just get full depth foam or two layers. Looking on e-foam its actually cheaper to get multiple layers of the same thickness, rather than a single thicker layer.... I could always just stick two 40mm layers together before cutting them... So 30mm convoluted/egg-box type, 40mm base layer and 2 x 40mm middle layers to be cut = 150mm and the case has a 152mm internal depth. Including a tin of foam adhesive spray that's only £45.47 delivered from eFoam

Tonyc - Given my 'crafting' type skills I doubt i'll get the foam cut in a single pass, the parts removed will more likely be to expert jigsaw piece level

[Racalman]

My SKB has a base layer of 50mm with a second layer of 40mm that is flush with the top edge of the bottom half of the case.

The top half of the case has soft acoustic foam.

[Triffid]

Apparently an electric carving knife is the weapon of choice for cutting foam.

There are lots of clips on youtube on how to do this . . . try this one. . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXhT7WtIsTg

Triffid