Cutting gun case foam? Tips?

[mac1911]

So I got a new pelican case for my Desert Eagle 3 barrel set and some 2 inch polyethylene (rigid) foam.

Is there a preferred tool to cut precise lines/layouts? I used a long razor blade which cuts fine but it’s hard to keep the blade straight and not cutting at an angle.

A basic rectangular square cutout is easy but the shape of the gun is difficult to do.

Any suggestions? Thought about trying one of those hot electric knife things on Amazon but reviews are mixed.
Amazon product ASIN B096SB93LQView: https://www.amazon.com/Cooltop-Styrofoam-Electric-Cutting-Cleaning/dp/B096SB93LQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=3VKPR3AUBTBPF&keywords=rifle+case+foam+cutter&qid=1664743886&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=rifle+case+foam+cutter%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-8#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div

View attachment 668730

Poke around even call pelican
They have pre cut foam for pistol and magazines so im sure you can find someone to do a pre cut for you.

 

[67ray]

Anyone try one of these?

 

[DW357]

Well I finally finished it! The electric hot knife worked okay for the gun cutout. Slow and a little messy but worked. I had to use a Dremel to buff out the rough bits of hardened foam/plastic so it wouldn’t scratch the gun finish.

Then for the 2 extra barrels I just used a razor since they were a basic shape.

Honestly very happy with how it came out.

Not sure if I’ll make more cutouts for the mags and takedown tool.

 

[Broc]

Electric carving knife and silicon spray here. I have one that I only cut case foam with so the blade is still sharp.

Is that for the hard foam or the soft foam?

 

[Broc]

Well I finally finished it! The electric hot knife worked okay for the gun cutout. Slow and a little messy but worked. I had to use a Dremel to buff out the rough bits of hardened foam/plastic so it wouldn’t scratch the gun finish.

Then for the 2 extra barrels I just used a razor since they were a basic shape.

Honestly very happy with how it came out.

Not sure if I’ll make more cutouts for the mags and takedown tool. View attachment 670498View attachment 670499

Notice how the barrel looks better. You know why? ... because you used a razor. Who told you to use a razor and some laughed? ... I did.

So people can s*ck it.

Anyway ... how do you like that scope?

 

[DW357]

Notice how the barrel looks better. You know why? ... because you used a razor. Who told you to use a razor and some laughed? ... I did.

So people can s*ck it.

Anyway ... how do you like that scope?

I don’t think the barrels look any better. It’s easier to do small basic shapes with a razor. But the gun cutout was a little trickier. Especially keeping the blade straight. The hot knife worked better than expected for $20 lol.

The scope was taken off the 15 inch DW and it works very well. Clear and great eye relief. Better relief than the 2X scope that came with the DE

 

[MGnoob]

View attachment 669591

I don’t really even know what that is but for some reason I want one

 

[Caveman]

Is that for the hard foam or the soft foam?

Soft foam that came in my 1750. I traced my rifle on the back of my foam. Cut on the inside of the trace with the electric knife and it came out perfect. Just took it slow so that the foam didn’t shift or flex under the pressure and move the cut line

Fwiw I don’t know if they still do it but Pelican offered custom foam cutting services back in the day. you could send them a file with the diagram of what you want custom cut against the foam measurements and they would cut it for you.

 

[Soundwave]

Razor blades (long, short, wide & narrow) are the only cutting tool that works well, I’ve cut a few cases myself and tried almost every option the internet had to offer and always seemed to go back to cutting with the razors whether it was open or closed cell foam… the blades don’t last long so you need to change often, Harbor freight sells packages of various sized blades (break away blades) that worked great for cheap$$…I found that after I traced the items onto the foam I always cut them smaller than the tracing and then slowly trimmed it to fit, you want them to be kinda tight/snug so it holds well and after a little time the cutout conforms well with the guns.. The other option was heating items/tools to melt for small equipment/accessories that worked well, but not the easiet… here are some of my cases that I cut out with the closed cell foam…

Those look great! What case is that with the soft sides? I don't think I've seen a soft sides case with foam.

Why does the turkey smell a little like gun case foam


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rgSis0HAYo

I almost posted an electric turkey carving knife. Glad I wasn't the only one who thought of it. What about those little electric oscillating saws used to cut drywall?

 

[JD_Driver]

Pelican site for custom foam: Pelican Foam

 

[Leezway]

Those look great! What case is that with the soft sides? I don't think I've seen a soft sides case with foam.



I almost posted an electric turkey carving knife. Glad I wasn't the only one who thought of it. What about those little electric oscillating saws used to cut drywall?

Your correct they didn’t come with any foam. I removed the Velcro partitions that typically come in them and added the closed cell foam & cut it to fit those guns… the larger one is a Drago and the other is an Explorer… great bags as they come from the factory but much better with the foam…

 

[Soundwave]

Your correct they didn’t come with any foam. I removed the Velcro partitions that typically come in them and added the closed cell foam & cut it to fit those guns… the larger one is a Drago and the other is an Explorer… great bags as they come from the factory but much better with the foam…

I just bought a savior specialist or something that looks like the second bag but the size of the first. Is the large one a double rifle case?

 

[Leezway]

I just bought a savior specialist or something that looks like the second bag but the size of the first. Is the large one a double rifle case?

Yes the large one (Drago) is a double rifle case. Like most double rifle cases it Includes a padded separator in the center.

 

[josie wales]

Electric Knife.....The same kind some use for carving the Thanksgiving Turkey.

 

[DW357]

Our office is being moved and I found this nice pelican case in the trash pile today. Score!
Sounds like I need to walk through the office to find more trash piles

Anyway, now I feel compelled to buy new rigid foam and make another pistol case

 

[pinefd]

Anyway, now I feel compelled to buy new rigid foam and make another pistol case

...and a new pistol to go in the new case!


Frank

 

[Leezway]

Our office is being moved and I found this nice pelican case in the trash pile today. Score!
Sounds like I need to walk through the office to find more trash piles

Anyway, now I feel compelled to buy new rigid foam and make another pistol case

That’s a nice score… I believe pelican still offers replacement foam for all of their cases…

 

[DW357]

...and a new pistol to go in the new case!


Frank

maybe. I was thinking of making a case for my 3 barrel Dan Wesson revolver set. We’ll see

 

[DW357]

That’s a nice score… I believe pelican still offers replacement foam for all of their cases…

Thanks. I believe you’re right

 

[LuvDog]

Our office is being moved and I found this nice pelican case in the trash pile today. Score!
Sounds like I need to walk through the office to find more trash piles
View attachment 676000
Anyway, now I feel compelled to buy new rigid foam and make another pistol case

Any body parts in that case???

I order replacement foam from Carolina Custom Foam... cheaper and better than OEM pelican foam

Foam | Gun Case Foam | Carolina Custom Foam

Super lightweight, Incredibly Firm Foam, Replacement Gun Case Foam, Custom Cut Inlays, Soundproofing

www.carolinacustomfoam.com

 

[walter62]

there's no reason to pay $$$$$$Pelican pricing for the foam. Order some from Amz or anywhere else.

I recommend the long snap-apart blades (like the Olfa) and handle.