Protecting fragile tools, such as video, photographic and electronic equipment, is essential to their maintenance. Expensive flight cases and protective crates provide general structural support and protect from heavy impact. Inside those cases, another layer of protection is advisable to keep those sensitive instruments safe. Closed cell foam is an excellent product to provide that protection. An inch or two of foam can be the thing that saves your tools from expensive repairs or replacement. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Choose foam in a thickness that is half that of your case. The denser the foam, the more protective value it will have. Lay the case on your foam as a template, and mark and cut out two pieces of foam the size of the case. Use a hot-wire cutter, available at most hardware stores, or an electric carving knife for the smoothest cut. Electric carving knives can be found with the small appliances in most department and discount stores.
2. Place the tool or equipment to be carried as close to the center of one of the foam pieces as possible. If there is more than one item going into the case, separate them with enough foam to keep them from banging into each other. Mark around the equipment with a marker.
3. Use the hot-wire cutter or carving knife to cut out the shape, or shapes, marked in the foam. Remove the piece from the foam. Measure the depth of the tool as it will lay in the case. Slice the removed plug crosswise at that depth (e.g., 1 inch). This will be the hollow that the tool rests in. Discard the piece that is the same thickness as the tool. Replace the remaining piece in the cutout. Glue the edges first with spray adhesive, then slide it into position.
4. Cut half the depth of the tool out of the first piece of foam for tools that are thicker than half the depth of the case. Cut the remaining half from the second piece. Slide the foam into the case, and set the tool in place to check the fit.
5. Apply adhesive fabric fastener to the inside of the case and to the back of the foam. This will keep the foam in place while allowing for easy removal in case of needed replacement. Press the foam firmly into place, and put the tool in the case. Close and latch the lid, and carry your fragile instruments in peace.
Tags: carving knife, depth tool, half depth, hot-wire cutter, into case
