foam cutting/routing for gun cases

[global_dev]

any of you guys (or gals) do this?

[Blue58]

Is it the egg crate foam or very dense gray foam? If it is the gray foam sometimes the foam is is already cut in a very small square grid pattern so all you need to do is lay your gun in the case where you want it and then trace around it with a fine tip felt marker to get the outline and then you start removing the small squares until you have the shape you want.

However if it is not cut in a grid already its a long task that requires several kinds of cutting implements to make it look good and work as it is meant to work. I have seen people do this very well and I can tell you I seriously doubt I could do it myself.

Good luck

[Jim]

I have used an electric knife to cut foam. Its really the only thing its good for.

[global_dev]

no foam yet, just thinking
anyone use a electric wire table scroll?

[Aku Aku]

I have used an electric knife to cut foam. Its really the only thing its good for.

+1. I have had good luck with an electric knife cutting foam including thick mattress topper material.

[maxman]

I've often wondered about this.
I need to get new foam for my Americase case.

[Pkrankow]

I have used an electric knife to cut foam. Its really the only thing its good for.

+1 Useless devices for carving food. Great for foam. My mom cleans fish with an electric knife, very, very, VERY quickly, but I haven't figured that out for myself, not sure if I care since a fillet knife works fine for how many I catch.

After cutting the "plug" out of the block of foam cut the plug shorter and used some spray adhesive to put it all back together. I suppose for different contour heights you could cut the plug up and cut the levels differently, or profiled to match, but I haven't done that.

You can line with felt and get extra fancy while you are at it too.

Phil

[gaseousclay]

on a related topic, is it true that guns are more susceptible to rusting when kept in a hardshell case? I've read that because I gun doesn't breathe as well in a hardshell case this is often the result. fact or fiction?

[binowatch]

In over 30 years of gun collecting I have repeatedly been warned not to store guns in hardshell cases. Then a few years ago the manufacturers started shipping their guns (esp handguns) in just that type case. Most don't have antirust paper or anything else with them. As guns may be stored for years that way before sale and as there have been no warnings in the boxes not to do that, I would surmise that it is harmless to store in hard cases as long as the guns are properly cleaned and lubed prior to storage.

[stobes21]

Moisture can be left on the gun from your hands or the environment where you were shooting and then be trapped in the hard case, causing rust. Moisture can also accumulate on a dry gun, even in a hardshell case, if put through significant temperature changes. That's why storing guns in one is generally a bad idea. But it won't cause instant rust or anything and long term storage is certainly possible if the gun is prepared properly first and the environment where the case is stored is low in humidity and consistent in temperature.

[Grumpy_Bottom]

In over 30 years of gun collecting I have repeatedly been warned not to store guns in hardshell cases. Then a few years ago the manufacturers started shipping their guns (esp handguns) in just that type case. Most don't have antirust paper or anything else with them. As guns may be stored for years that way before sale and as there have been no warnings in the boxes not to do that, I would surmise that it is harmless to store in hard cases as long as the guns are properly cleaned and lubed prior to storage.

Most also stick a silica gel pack in there where paper used to be the norm. I keep a huge silica pack in with my guns and ammo, and then put individual packs in the boxes - here in FL I haven't had any issues, and the silica only needs to be "dried" once a year or so.

[Blue Raccoon]

if you want to store a gun long term clean and then oil it very heavy and wrap it in wax paper then put it in your case. if you are talking week to week or a month a hard case won't be a problem. You should consider a gun 'sock' whenever you aren't using it.