Cheap Foam?

[Bulkoth]

I'm a Necron player and I've got a rather nice/extensive bunker/trench set of terrain for my gaming table.

I'm looking for a way to store/transport monoliths and the resin terrain without just throwing them in a box.

My preferred solution is something cheap with handles and layers of foam keeping the pieces from bashing off each other.

I'd like a combination of rigid and bendable foam and I'm looking for a place to get sheets of the stuff cheap.

I've got some packing boxes from lowes with nice side handles and a sturdy build so....

Any suggestions for where to pick up alot of foam on the cheap of varrying rigidity so I can cut it myself to size/shape of the terrain and potentially even make a few of my own large scale "trays"?

all feedback appreciated!

[MagickalMemories]

Well, really, it depends on your definition of cheap.
You can get foam for things like pullows, cushions, etc. at fabric stores. Walmart has foam mattresses for camping and the like.
I don't know the costs or how well they will work for the rigidity you're looking for, though.

Keep this in mind, though; if it's important enough to do, isn't it important enough to do well? If you've got to fork over the dough for pricier options than you hoped, think about WHAT you're transporting & decide if it's worth it. That's the only way I was able to justify to myself the purchase of over $350 in foam trays & a carrying bag.

Eric

[CMSheats]

Well I all ways have gotten my foam from Home Depot. It's a hard blue foam that comes in giant sheets. (I think it is used for insulation in houses) I use this to build my terrain. It is thin so you have to cut multiple pieces and glue them on top of each other. As far as for minis, I don't know how they would work. You could always carve out holding spots in the foam and just line the inside of the slots with cotton or something. Just a thought. : ) Hope this helps.

[kturock]

Furnature foam glued to corragated cardboad.
Both are cheap and available at mart &/or depot stores. [like Lowes & Home Depot.]

You can buy cans or spray adhesive and use white glue [like Elmer's] to attach them together.

Spray the adhesive on the card board, then use the white glue on edges & make concentric circles or a spiral.

Put weight, like stacks of books to hold the pieces together until it sets.

You can cut holes into the cardboard and foam with razor knives.

You can cut round holes in the foam to hold the infantry in place using a cuphole saw. [it's what is used to cut holes in dorrs for lock & knobs]

Cheap, durable, functional.

[porkuslime]

Plano Pistol cases are what I am storing my Monoliths and Armorcast Warhound in.

$10 for a hard shell, and serious eggcrate foam on the inside, as well as a layer of pluck and pick foam.

Take out the foam it comes with, and put in furniture foam from a JoAnns or craft store..

[Azbag#1]

I use a system similar to what kturock uses.

I got my foam (green high density) from a local hobby/fabric store, cut the pieces out that I needed and used the spray adhesive to fasten them to the cardboard. If you are looking for good solid cardboard I’d ask any of the large appliance stores if they have any stove or refrigerator boxes. Otherwise you should be able to find the cardboard sheets at the hobby stores or Wal-mart.

I put my stuff in the large clear Rubbermaid / Sterilite storage totes. They seem to hold up very well and they are stackable.

Scott

[kturock]

The best, cheapest boxes i've seen are banana boxes.

[Bulkoth]

Pork, is there a particular case you use? I havent seen one whose dimensions seem to hold a mono? is there one that might hold 3-4 monos? I'd love to have a single case for ease of carrying.

I've gone with foam coar panels cut to the box size and insulation foam cut in strips and wood glue to arrange them to fit terrain and probably to fill gaps afterwards. I'm also planning to get some small fabric straps and hot glue them from the bottom to the sides of each layer so it's easy to get each layer out of the boxes.

[porkuslime]

Bulkoth -

I use the Plano 1404 case.. and I do NOT NOT NOT recommend it for Monoliths. Up til 10 minutes ago I DID... but thanks to you asking, I went to check how they fit in there, and doggggggoooonnneee it.. Both Mono's I had in there have serious cracks in them. Like.. broken into multiple parts.. Looks like I FAILED in my packing skills.

(lucky for me, they are unpainted and cracked along seams, so the repair will be tedious, but not horrendous).

[MagickalMemories]

I can see it now.

No, man. The 1404 is perfect for Monoliths. I keep mine in one.
Here. Have a peek
::pauses::
Nnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Eric

[Ironhide]

I use a system similar to what kturock uses.

I got my foam (green high density) from a local hobby/fabric store, cut the pieces out that I needed and used the spray adhesive to fasten them to the cardboard. If you are looking for good solid cardboard I’d ask any of the large appliance stores if they have any stove or refrigerator boxes. Otherwise you should be able to find the cardboard sheets at the hobby stores or Wal-mart.

I put my stuff in the large clear Rubbermaid / Sterilite storage totes. They seem to hold up very well and they are stackable.

Scott

Are you talking about "Florist" foam? That stuff. in my opinion, is too hard for proper model storage and transport. If I were going to make a storage box, I would use eggcrate foam. http://www.foambymail.com/acoustical-eggcrate-foam.html

[Azbag#1]

No,

It's a high density cushion foam that you can pick up in sewing/hobby stores like Hancock Fabrics. It generally runs around $15 to $20 for a large sheet. I usually wait until there is a coupon for 50% off and then pick up what I need.

Here's an example: http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Sew-Perfe ... ewprod.htm

Scott

[s_o_r_r_o_w]

I would use eggcrate foam. http://www.foambymail.com/acoustical-eggcrate-foam.html

This link has to be the link of the year--I've been looking for this exact thing since I started gaming.

Check it out--pluck out foam, custom sheets, matching eggcrate sheets.

[Raatcharch]

Check out florists foam. It is rigid, really easy to cut, and you can get blocks of it at dollar stores.

[kturock]

Check out florists foam. It is rigid, really easy to cut, and you can get blocks of it at dollar stores.

Are you refering to the green foam? It's not quite as hard as styrofoam.
and it doesn't spring back. it doesn't pad the items you're trying to protect.