Custom Form-Fitting Foam liners! (You know, for parts and stuff).

[Howard_Casto]

I normally don't post things from makezine/instructables because with all due respect to the makers out there, many of the projects are impractical and end up looking worse and costing more than the store-bought alternative.  

But this idea was so simple that it's brilliant!


http://www.machinistblog.com/pamper-your-tools/


Basically with a t-shirt, a drawer/box, some expansion foam and whatever stuff you want to store you can instantly make those neat foam inserts that hold objects inside a case.  

They show tools, but I was thinking it would work great for this hobby as well, particularly for consoles.  Find a nice big box and lay out a console, it's controllers, and it's accessories up-side down in the box and make a custom console shelf.  The same goes for the carts, use some spacers to stack them up pretty even and make a cart case.  

You could probably get away with using velour or velvet as well, making it look classier.  

Somebody would have to see if the expansion foam bleeds through the t-shirt though.  While it isn't the end of the world if your pliers get stained a bit, it might be if it gets on your 2600.  

[Dartful Dodger]

It looks cool and as soon as I saw it I started thinking of my guns and slot cars.

Somebody would have to see if the expansion foam bleeds through the t-shirt though.  While it isn't the end of the world if your pliers get stained a bit, it might be if it gets on your 2600. 

Even if I used a replica to create the foam template, I’d still be afraid that the foam would constantly be releasing gases and moisture and over time that could corrode or damage delicate parts.

[Xiaou2]

There is immediately one flaw...

 Tools dont stay very clean... so that nice white tray will be full of greasy gunk and fingerprints.

 If you really want to attempt something like this, use a black t-shirt.

[Howard_Casto]

It looks cool and as soon as I saw it I started thinking of my guns and slot cars.

Somebody would have to see if the expansion foam bleeds through the t-shirt though.  While it isn't the end of the world if your pliers get stained a bit, it might be if it gets on your 2600. 

Even if I used a replica to create the foam template, I’d still be afraid that the foam would constantly be releasing gases and moisture and over time that could corrode or damage delicate parts.

I'm not a chemist or anything, but afaik expansion foam is chemcially similar to poly-styrene (stryofoam).  Since people store stuff in it's original box  with the original foam liner it SHOULD be safe once it cures.  The problem is when it dries isn't when it's cured.  Expansion foam dries in about 2 hours or less but for it to fully cure inside and out it might take up to three weeks. 

I agree about the white shirt btw, that was a poor choice of colors, but my guess is he used that for demo purposes (black doesn't show up well on film). 

[Howard_Casto]

I think one might be able to eliminate many of the bleed-through concerns by putting a layer of plastic drop cloth between the fabric and the foam. 

The only problem I see with that is I think the fact that t-shirt material stretches is what makes the nice, smooth, appearance.  Adding a layer of plastic might ruin it. 

[Dartful Dodger]

I still wouldn't want to risk it with sensitive or expensive items.

My car came with a piece of foam that the spare tire sat in and the jack and mini crowbar fit on the bottom of the foam. It was a nice set up, but after I got a flat I replaced the little spare with a full sized tire so that piece of foam is now useless.

This project would be perfect for organizing tools to go under the spare tire. You might even be able to make it with a t-shirt on both sides so the tools go on one side and then turn it over and sit the tire perfectly on top of it.

How much foam do you get out of one can?

If I have to buy multiple cans of foam I'll stick with the milk crate I’m current using.

[SavannahLion]

It looks cool and as soon as I saw it I started thinking of my guns and slot cars.

Somebody would have to see if the expansion foam bleeds through the t-shirt though.  While it isn't the end of the world if your pliers get stained a bit, it might be if it gets on your 2600. 

Even if I used a replica to create the foam template, I’d still be afraid that the foam would constantly be releasing gases and moisture and over time that could corrode or damage delicate parts.

I'm not a chemist or anything, but afaik expansion foam is chemcially similar to poly-styrene (stryofoam).  Since people store stuff in it's original box  with the original foam liner it SHOULD be safe once it cures.  The problem is when it dries isn't when it's cured.  Expansion foam dries in about 2 hours or less but for it to fully cure inside and out it might take up to three weeks. 

I agree about the white shirt btw, that was a poor choice of colors, but my guess is he used that for demo purposes (black doesn't show up well on film). 

Please read:
 http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=108786.0