Owners of Pelican cases w/ pick 'n pluck foam

Hello All,

I recently picked up the 1600 case and was wondering how everyone removed the foam to make the room for their gear? I'm worried that I'll screw up or make a mess out of it

Please list step by step in:

1) How you transferred the shape of your gear to the foam.
2) How you removed the foam after transferring the shape of your gear.
3) How you made the foam the correct depth for your gear.
4) How you fixed any mistakes you made (removed too much foam).

TIA

Being an owner of several Pelican cases the best advice I can give you is to ditch the foam and get the padded dividers. For camera equipment its the only way to go, especially in a larger sized case like the 1600 series ones.

I just layed what ever piece of gear I was making room for, drew a line around with a sharpie and started plucking. I didn't take too much, so didn't need to worry about fixing it. It is pretty simple. I actually prefer the pick and pluck to the padded dividers. I feel I get more cushioning while doing ATV trips. If I stayed on the roads, I would go with the padded dividers.

+1 for the padded dividers.
I know it's not what you want to hear Tia, but it really is better. The foam is fine at first but once you've cut/plucked it to fit your current equipment that's it. The dividers are a lot more versatile and easily re-configured when you need to.

Don't worry about it, look on the foam as a temporary measure and pick up the dividers as and when...

cheers

Outside of photography, I also own two Pelican cases in which I use the pick & pluck foam. All I did was carefully consider the items that I wanted to fit into the case. I took my time to check the placement and ensure that it was the most efficient arrangement for taking things in and out, and I checked the depth to make sure there was ample padding all around the item/s. After that, it was time to pluck away, one piece at a time.

I started plucking at the "center" of where the object was going and as I neared the edge, I stopped plucking to make sure that I was on track. In a perfect world, you want the item to fit snugly after the foam is plucked away. It takes time to do it right, but it's worth taking the time so everything looks good when it is all said and done.

Hope this helps!
Bryan

Yes, padded dividers for the 1600 is the way to go! You can also get pocket organizers that tape to the inside top cover of the pelican. Handy for holding all the little bits and bobbles. If you do decide to go the divider route, be sure to keep the thinner foam layer. It is handy for dividing the lower gear from the upper, lid section.

Here's my Pelican 1600 setup.

keener wrote in post #7108272
Yes, padded dividers for the 1600 is the way to go! You can also get pocket organizers that tape to the inside top cover of the pelican. Handy for holding all the little bits and bobbles. If you do decide to go the divider route, be sure to keep the thinner foam layer. It is handy for dividing the lower gear from the upper, lid section.

Here's my Pelican 1600 setup.

Excellent idea!

Gotta go with Ben and Keener on this one. Padded divider in my 1600 are great.

I tried pick n pluck on a smaller case, it was a PITA!

Also, the foam will fall apart after a while...
+1 for the dividers.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I got a good deal on the case which incl'd the foam. I'm going to stick it out for now and if I do decide to change then it'll be to the dividers. Plus, I think it looks more professional with the foam than with the dividers (looks cluttered) .

René Damkot wrote in post #7111677
Also, the foam will fall apart after a while...
+1 for the dividers.

That's my biggest complaint with the pick & pluck foam. It looks like crap after a while. Its like they cut the foam too much in order to make it easy to pluck. Consequently, the foam doesn't hold up to the removal and return of camera equipment.
Someone had a good idea on another thread to add some p&p foam (in addition) to the padded divider. I haven't tried tried it but it sounds like a good idea.

I have to go with Ben. Padded dividers are the only way to go.

Wow. Back after a year .
Foam is still holding up and looks just as new as when I got it.

tcc wrote in post #7104959
1) How you transferred the shape of your gear to the foam.
TIA

Lay the items down and use toothpicks or thumbnails to outline the shape. Do the general shape slightly smaller and see if it fits. If its too tight, open it up slightly. Remember smaller is fixable, while bigger is a PITA.

tcc wrote in post #7104959
2) How you removed the foam after transferring the shape of your gear.TIA

Use a kitchen knife and go around the outside of the foam. Try to get it out in one piece.

tcc wrote in post #7104959
3) How you made the foam the correct depth for your gear.TIA

Kitchen knife, lay it on the side, and slowly move back and forth. At first I thought a simple knife would just "bend" the foam, but if its sharp enough it WILL work well.

tcc wrote in post #7104959
4) How you fixed any mistakes you made (removed too much foam).TIA

3M Super 77 adhesive. Spray some on, hold together for a few minutes and let it dry.


edit: Perhaps looking at the original post date would be a good idea. Not used to people bumping super old threads

LoganJ wrote in post #9375857
Lay the items down and use toothpicks or thumbnails to outline the shape. Do the general shape slightly smaller and see if it fits. If its too tight, open it up slightly. Remember smaller is fixable, while bigger is a PITA.


Use a kitchen knife and go around the outside of the foam. Try to get it out in one piece.

Kitchen knife, lay it on the side, and slowly move back and forth. At first I thought a simple knife would just "bend" the foam, but if its sharp enough it WILL work well.

3M Super 77 adhesive. Spray some on, hold together for a few minutes and let it dry.


edit: Perhaps looking at the original post date would be a good idea. Not used to people bumping super old threads

Still great info!