Source for foam sheets?

[MetalMonkey]

I would like to line some toolboxes and storage containers with some foam sheets for protection and possibly some tool shadowing.
I'm thinking something of a medium to firm density and fairly robust in a range of thicknesses.

However, the prices seem extortionate from the specialist suppliers, in some cases considerably more than the boxes cost. I've got quite a few to do so it mounts up pretty quickly.

I've been looking for a more cost effective source of big sheets - yoga mats, stable mats - anything really.

Anybody got any suggestions, alternatives, or found a good economical source for this stuff?

 

[gaz1]

play mats will do you

 

[RichardM]

Have a look for camping mats as well - not the inflatable type! Charity shops usually have them in when the festival season ends.

 

[voipio]

Polypropylene foam is useful. It has about the right amount of cushioning, and can easily be cut to shape with ordinary kitchen knives.

 

[keithski122]

Price of foam has risen hugely over the past few years.All tied into the price of oil and a cold winter in texas(?) a few years back when all the chemical pipes between factories froze and burst.Cost was almost going up daily with none available.
I get my foam from here.

EasyFoam - Online Upholstery & Packaging Foam Supplier

No. #1 online foam supplier in the UK. Buy high-quality custom cut foam online at the lowest price. Extra 5% off on all orders over £150.

www.easyfoam.co.uk

 

[MattF]

Have a look for camping mats as well - not the inflatable type! Charity shops usually have them in when the festival season ends.

Camping or exercise mats are what I tend to use.

 

[Kram]

I was in halfords yesterday and they had big sheets of peice together foam floor matting, relatively cheap.

 

[Screwdriver]

How much do you need and what size? I bought a massive job lot to keep the costs down. Closed cell polyethylene (EPE). Used it to fit out a bunch of LBoxxes.

1460 x 500 x 50 mm sheets.

Some info here: https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/box-box-box.126441/

 

[MetalMonkey]

Thanks for the replies chaps.
I was looking at EVA as this seemed to be the most suitable - but I confess I know very little about foam and its chemistry.

How much do you need and what size? I bought a massive job lot to keep the costs down. Closed cell polyethylene (EPE). Used it to fit out a bunch of LBoxxes.

1460 x 500 x 50 mm sheets.

Some info here: https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/box-box-box.126441/

Basically the same situation really. I have a bunch of them to do, so I was looking to bulk buy - I was looking at 8x4 sheets as I'd assumed they would be cheaper - where did you get yours from?
I was planning on going for thinner sheets so I could cut fully through one and laminate it to another.

I've found somebody local-ish selling some at what seems to be reasonable prices, but really no idea on what it actually is or where it came from, so I'm a bit hesitant.

 

[Screwdriver]

A surplus load came up and I don't think they generally sell it. eBay spot. I'll see if I can find the original ad.

The bottom sheet is from the large pack. The other bits are skip finds.

What you will discover is that this stuff does not like to stick to anything let alone to itself. At the factory, they heat weld it and while it's possible
to diy with a hot air welder, it is damned difficult. I strongly recommend you go at least as thick as you need it. It cuts and carves really easily.

 

[Johnnybravo]

A surplus load came up and I don't think they generally sell it. eBay spot. I'll see if I can find the original ad.

The bottom sheet is from the large pack. The other bits are skip finds.

What you will discover is that this stuff does not like to stick to anything let alone to itself. At the factory, they heat weld it and while it's possible
to diy with a hot air welder, it is damned difficult. I strongly recommend you go at least as thick as you need it. It cuts and carves really easily.

A customer of mine has parts/ assemblies delivered in boxes with that foam as protection. It is glued to the cardboard box. Nigh on impossible to remove without destroying it, so there definitely is a glue that sticks to it!

 

[voipio]

Spray carpet adhesive seems to do it.

 

[Agroshield]

Having seeen the photo of the one Screwdriver has, it looks very much like the foam used in movement (expansion) joints in buildings. The generic name for that is Aerofil (Grace Construction Products). Miothene (Miers Construction Prodcuts) is the same stuff. Aerofil and Miothene are like Hoover - proprietary names that everyone else uses for their own equivalent. Any construction accessories supplier would be able to get it. As above, impact adhesive to join together.

 

[Screwdriver]

I'd be very interested to find some glues which work. Problem with my recent test is that I am trying to stick EPE (to itself) and also to an unknown closed cell foam (to give me a black top surface).There are a lot of very similar plastics which are expanded or foamed to produce very similar looking materials.

I don't know for sure if @Johnnybravo foams are typically heat welded to cardboard backing but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Johnnybravo]

These are definitely not heat welded. If you destroy the bond you can see where the glue has been applied.

 

[mtt.tr]

Anyone tried copydex that sticks most things.

 

[Screwdriver]

I'll be making another case later for some pallet banding tools I just bought. Have a variety of glues but iirc EPE is particularly reluctant to stick to anything. May try some carpet spray I have somewhere.

 

[mtt.tr]

I'll be making another case later for some pallet banding tools I just bought. Have a variety of glues but iirc EPE is particularly reluctant to stick to anything. May try some carpet spray I have somewhere.

ive got some tucked away in the workshop, i will see if copydex does it

 

[Dcal]

A customer of mine has parts/ assemblies delivered in boxes with that foam as protection. It is glued to the cardboard box. Nigh on impossible to remove without destroying it, so there definitely is a glue that sticks to it!

PU glue sticks foam and doesn't melt it.

 

[Kram]

Hot glue sticks to EPE but wouldnt be my choice for tool storage/box lining.

EVA would be much nicer, this sort of stuff

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rolson-60817-Floor-Mat-Set/dp/B001AXWTTG/