Cheap foam insert for large case?

[inernets]

Through my work i was able to pick up this large video case that was in poor condition but i want to clean it up and put some new inserts in them. I am trying to find the cheapest/best way to do this.

The inside dimensions are 31" x 20" x 12". I don't really know what to search for or what kind i should use, maybe the pick and pluck kind? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, trying to do this for under $50 or $100.

[Jon]

Compare the dimensions to those for Pelican cases and maybe you'll be able to find a set of dividers that corresponds to that case. You might also look at a wholesale upholstery place and get some foam you can cut to shape yourself (several thinner layers may be easier to work with than one thick chunk). By the look of that case, you'd need to either get one 9" slab between two 1.5" layers, and worry about closing the lid over the extra foam, or have a layer on each side, with something to hold stuff in the top while you closed it.

[Ando27]

got the same probllem, interesting to hear if you find a cheap solution.


Al

[Wilt]

About 45 years ago in high school, my uncle helped me to build a hardsided case, and then I went to the upholstery store to buy foam used for furniture. I placed multiple layers of foam and cut out shapes suitably deep to cradle my camera gear. The foam is still solid, has not melted (as some foams do after a time!), but visually is now yellowed. But it still cradles the SLR outfit which I had in high school!

[inernets]

i decided to go an expensive root for a couple of reasons but there were a few options i found. I didn't want to get the foam online, i heard a lot of people complaining about shipping was a problem with shrinking the foam, so i went to Joanne-fabrics, Michaels, and Ross to see if they had anything.

After going to Joanne-fabrics first, i found exactly what i wanted, 3" Urethane Foam Rolls of 90" long, 24" wide and 3" thick. Since the case is 12" high this was perfect to buy 2 63" pieces but the price was super high, at $75 per 63" roll. I was being dumb and thought it was $42 per 90" piece but it was $42 per yard, which in total would have been $150!!! Luckily i bumped into a very friendly woman and she told me i had to use a coupon, gave me one of hers and than realized it had her name on it so she found me a 40% off coupon so it brought the total down to $100.

Price was a little high, i was thinking about doing a 3" later of matress pad, because that was about $42 for a queen size which i think was 55" x 75" x 3" which could be a cheap "filler"

I am going to show one of the pieces to my friend, he may want to use it as a mattress for a planned fold-down bed for a small trailer for use while he is racing and hauling his race bike.

this is what it looks like, i can post a pic later

[inernets]

Originally Posted by Jon

Compare the dimensions to those for Pelican cases and maybe you'll be able to find a set of dividers that corresponds to that case. You might also look at a wholesale upholstery place and get some foam you can cut to shape yourself (several thinner layers may be easier to work with than one thick chunk). By the look of that case, you'd need to either get one 9" slab between two 1.5" layers, and worry about closing the lid over the extra foam, or have a layer on each side, with something to hold stuff in the top while you closed it.

OK now that i have the material, i am going to start thinking about how to do this. I have 3" slabs right now. I am thinking about how i can get the most out of this. I figure i can only make use out of one side, so i guess i should have that depth of the 12" be say 9"? That would leave 3" sticking out when i open the case, would that be good/bad/possible? Or maybe 8" or 7" high?

Since it is so big i'm trying to get a lot of stuff in there, mainly all my photo equiptment (3 bodies, 7-9 lenses), a couple of tripods and monopods or lightsands to fight in the back, POSSIBLY a 13" laptop (it measures 8" in depth, is 2" on the top and bottom enough to protect it?), and extra photo equip like flashes, remotes, filters, batteries, chargers, etc..

The main question i guess is how much space should i leave between my lenses and bodies. I am going to leave a few lens spot empty for a couple hopeful purchases in the near future. Anyways i will post a few pics when i get a chance. Luckily if this goes well there are 2 others that i can restore and do this to.

edit: i'm also thinking about buying a mattress pad or something as filler for the top and bottoms between the 3" slabs to save money.. not sure about this though