I’m back at it again. I need more storage, so I’m going to make three more cases. I’m going to make 2 new 40 yo-yo capacity cases, and one 35 capacity yo-yo case. I plan to get rid of a few of my plastic cases, and replace them with the new hard cases. I’ll post some photos of my progress, starting tomorrow.
First, I decided to try a new foam company. I decided to go with foamforyou.com. Foam from anywhere will be expensive, due to the packing and shipping process for foam, but I figured if I buy enough at once for a large project, it won’t be so bad. I bought plenty, with room for error.
When I called the foam company, they picked up the phone and said, “foam and more.” So, I realize that’s the real name of the company. :-\ So, I began placing my order by phone, describing the foam, giving the measurements and so on. When she gave me the price, it was $6 more than I calculated with the shipping prices listed online. The woman on the phone stated that the prices online were not correct, that she noticed that they were lower than they should be. She stated that the foam I wanted had to be packed a certain way, because it takes much longer to regain it’s shape. I’m like…hmmm, okay. I just wondered why that did not reflect in the prices I saw online. :-\ So anyway, I decided to pay the $6, and go ahead with the purchase , to see how it went from there. She told me that I’d receive the foam in about a week.
In exactly one week, I received the foam (today), as promised. I unwrapped the foam so it can sit overnight and regain it’s shape. I will begin making the cases tomorrow. I’ll post the progress here with some photos.
As for the old cases, I’ll probably let them go cheap to locals. It avoids shipping issues with bulky items. That’s probably the best way to sell them.
Well, I got the foam looking like this, all packed tight in this strinkwrap. So, I had to open it up and let it sit overnight to fill out back into shape.
I wanted to make three cases. I bought 2 new ones, and already had one that I wasn’t too happy with. I’m trying to turn it into something I can live with. These are the new ones:
Then, it was time to test them out. They look like the first case I made. 8) Each has it’s own unique flaws though. I have some room to grow in them too.
I only made 3 today…I already had the others. But, I messed up a lot, so I cut way more holes than you could imagine. Haha. Carpal Tunnel for the next few days.
I did 40 holes in a day once. That was WAY too many for one day. 3x that many… I literally don’t think I could have done it. My muscles would have quit! Nice cases.
Thanks. Yeah, trouble with those is that I insisted on making them to hold 40. That means the walls of the foam between holes is quite thin in comparison to other cases. For that reason, it was impossible to work with a template, and I had to just freehand and random cut the holes where I “thought they should be.”. That accounted for a lot of mess ups, and wasted foam. I bought so much foam knowing I would mess up. In a few instances I had 30 holes cut, then cut one wall way too thin and had to start all over again from scratch. I think I cut at least 300 holes, mess ups included. I recommend 35 holes to avoid that trouble. I have no regrets because I met my goal, but what a price to pay…money-wise and labor-wise. I think 5 rows of 7 would have been super easy. So, I’m the real cause of all the foam drama. I was being stubborn haha.
I saved the messed up foam I cut holes in. I might be able to cut off the part with the messups, and fit it to another smaller case. I have a few more cases coming. I’m going to make 2 35 yo-yo cases, and sell them. I have plenty of scrap foam to practice making clean holes. :-\
I’m back, and the carpal tunnel is gone. I have some leftover foam needless to say. So, I’m going to switch up this time, and use a hole saw to cut the holes instead. I have a 2" saw I bought awhile ago, so it’s time to try it out. I’ll post about how it goes sometime soon. I may get a chance to mess around with it today, or tomorrow.
Traditional hole saw (with the drill bit in the middle) should work for stiff dense foam but will be a safety hazard for the sproingy kind of foam. Please be careful! With the sproingy foam I had, as soon as the drill bit engaged the foam it “grabbed it”. If you’re not prepared for that, it might pull your hand somewhere you don’t want it to be.
You might have better luck putting the drill into reverse.
I wonder if you could find a hole saw that is just slightly larger than the tomato can so that you could slip the can inside and duct tape it in place. Then try it on a scrap piece of foam on a low speed. Might need to tape around the can first to get a tight fit in the hole saw.
Hmmm…very interesting. Stickman uses the hole saw, and his cases are pretty neat and clean, so I’ll try that method first. If that is a fail, I’ll try your suggestion and see how it works. I think I’m traumatized looking at the can now.
So, tell me this if you happen to know. Is cutting foam like mixing cake batter with an electric mixer? You touch the saw to the foam and then let her rip? Or, start the drill first, and then move it over to contact the foam? I guess the first one is easier because you can line up the hole better where you want it.
I know with the cake batter, if you don’t put the mixer in the batter, before you start it up…you get a mess. I have some scrap foam to test this out. It actually took me awhile to find a hole saw exactly 2"…no more, no less. I forget if I found it on Ebay or at the hardware store. Maybe they are popular…or unpopular, making them harder to find. I have had it for some time, just never used it. You might tell I never had use for a hole saw until now.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Oh…almost forgot, I do have the firm high density stiff foam, so it should be okay for cutting. I always pay a bit more for it, because it is easier to cut with the can, and supposedly has a longer life too.
Start the drill first. Be ready for it to get twisted out of your hand just in case (if you’re ready for it, there’s not that much of a danger) but if you have the stiff foam you’re likely fine.
Yeah, and if you’re not this is what will happen to you. This is exactly why I only use stiffer foam anymore. I came within 1/8" of losing my freehand index finger.
This is the blade to use for cutting all types of foam. It works great when you spray just a small amount of silicone on the outside of it just before you cut.
Produces some of the nicest looking holes in foam I have ever seen.
But because it’s extremely sharp, you can easily remove parts of your anatomy as well (See Picture Above). I was using it in a drill press, and now just use a handheld 3/8" cordless drill.
Much safer.
Wow, so sorry to hear that happened. It is part of the reason I stuck with the can, although I know it is not that efficient. I can be pretty clumsy at times, so I knew working with the drill would require less work…but more focus on my part, or there would be consequences. My hole saw looks quite different, with more jagged and longer edges. I may have the wrong one. I’ll post a photo when I get home. I only have a drill to use it with, but I will be careful.
I hope that was long ago and you are all healed up now. :-\ You have inspired lots of case making by sharing your method. We are very appreciative of that.
