On 11/2/2015 7:03 PM, Unquestionably Confused wrote:
On 11/2/2015 6:53 PM, Don Y wrote:
All this talk about (expanding) foam...

I've been looking for some PARTICULAR (pre-expanded) foam to line some
"equipment cases". I have several such cases designed for specific
bits of equipment that utilize this foam. So, you'd *think* it should
be available SOMEWHERE???!

The foam is *black*. No, not grey. Also, it's not the sort of foam
you encounter at craft stores (regardless of color). It's more like
styrofoam in its makeup -- less "homogenous" than that craft store
foam.

If you think about styrofoam, it's sort of like little chunks that
are stuck together; you can pull off these little chunks "intact".
By contrast, the craft store foams are almost uniform in texture.

I "think" that I know what you're talking about, but then again, maybe not. I
have seen cases custom made for equipment that has a somewhat flexible mass and
is smoother to to the touch - almost as if it has a second skin over the foam.

I've seen that as well -- one of my DLP's has a case like that.

But, this *looks* more like styrofoam: large "blobs" packed together instead
of the "homogenous" foam that you encounter in those SOFT "egg carton" styled
sheets. If you opened a container of cottage cheese, the visual appearance
would be similar ("chunks") -- though black instead of white.

Where to get it? Who would know? Why probably the manufacturer's of custom
cases for electronics, etc. DAGS for them, maybe even take a look at "Platt
Cases" and see if they describe the material they use and then...g

Most equipment cases seem to use the more "homogenous" foam. Granted, you
can purchase it in various "hardnesses" (firmness?) but it's still an
entirely different substance.

IIRC you are (or were) from the Chicagoland area? A former client of mine,
down in Des Plaines, manufactures custom equipment cases - mostly for sound
systems for entertainers (the Roadies have to have something to lug around and
pack, right?). If you're in the area, respond here and I'll see if I can dig
up their name and contact info for you. Worth a shot.

No longer in Chitown but the cost of a long distance phone call isn't
an impediment! Most of the road boxes I've seen were *carpeted*
internally with little wooden dividers that were adjusted to better
fit the kit within. Things like microphones were in "brief cases"
lined with the softer foam (the stuff I'm looking for would have been
unnecessarily hard/firm for that sort of thing).