Modeling foam

[CTaylorJr]

The company I work for makes a foam material that I have used in the past to mock up a lot of different I deas that I have had.

Its newest use is for mocking up blades and handles. The material is fairly dense and works well on the sander and with rasps as well.

The reson I started using this stuff is that I can rough shape something out and then fine tune it in about 1/4 the time I can with wood.

I talked with our general manager about possibly getting some of this to provide to others that may want to do the same thing.

Would there be an interest in anything like this? I'll get pics of the foam and a mock up of a handle later this evening.

Charlie

 

[Seth Howard]

I would think if it came in the right thicknesses / guages and was not expensive, yes. I know I would be interested.


Seth

 

[CTaylorJr]

The plan I have for getting the pieces I want is in 4"x4"x14" blocks (standard trim scrap off of the main process).

The cost would be the same as what I pay...Nothing if it's picked up... Cost to ship otherwise.

Charlie

 

[clancy]

that is an interesting idea! Our sign business has loads of scrap high density ureathane foam (sign foam).

 

[CTaylorJr]

About the same stuff Clancy, this foam is PVC, but works just as well as the urethane stuff does.

Here are some pics of a block of the foam and a handle I carved out in about 5 minutes. The handle prototype is for a friend at work who wants a chopper for camp.

A little sanding tomorrow after he plays with it a bit and we'll have the fit that he wants. I cut the foam to a height that will be about the thickness of his 1/4" tang with heavy scales.

Charlie

 

[clancy]

I have a cnc router in the sign shop, I bet I could design the handles on the computer and machine them to shape right on the router. Now all I need is some time.

ernie

 

[CTaylorJr]

I have a cnc router in the sign shop, I bet I could design the handles on the computer and machine them to shape right on the router. Now all I need is some time.

ernie

Now that would be something to see!

Since our shop only makes the raw foam I have NO IDEA how it would machine, but I have had a great time modeling not only handles, but blades as well.... I only use paper and rasps, but it works!


Lets see what you can do when you find that spare time!

Charlie