Anyone in the Somerville area have a "hot wire" foam cutter? I'm looking to custom cut my foam on a new pelican rifle case and satisfy my OCD. I've seen all the articles on how to build one for this purpose but just wanted to see if anyone can save me the trouble. Willing to trade a box of ammo for one night's use.

I put my rifle on the foam, traced it with white chalk, then used the electric Knife from the kitchen, it cut and worked perfect. it was super easy.. just an idea in case you can't get a hot knife

I have cut many Pelican inserts, and always just used a serrated kitchen knife with no problems at all. Actually, I use an official "Ginsu" knife. I think that's the only thing I use it for anymore.

I tried a good serrated bread knife, not happy with the results. I did forget to try the electric knife... now that you mention it I did see that posted somewhere. I'll try it out tonight, thanks!

Pelican also mentioned @ Shot Show last year that if you roll the foam up and put in the freezer, it condenses the foam and makes it easier to cut as well. I just used the electric knife and now my son has a Remington 700 w/scope and a Garand foam gun to run around with :-)

Agree with Regulator72, use the electric knife if you've got one. Trace outline with chalk and cut it out.

I did this and it worked well for me too. A friend of mine took the cutouts to give to his grandson.

$15 - http://www.harborfreight.com/130-watt-heavy-duty-hot-knife-66182.html

Anyone in the Somerville area have a "hot wire" foam cutter? I'm looking to custom cut my foam on a new pelican rifle case and satisfy my OCD. I've seen all the articles on how to build one for this purpose but just wanted to see if anyone can save me the trouble. Willing to trade a box of ammo for one night's use.

 

Don't waste your time with a "hot wire foam cutter". I had one I would have gave you, but I threw it away. If you want to make a single, straight cut, it works great. If you want to make any sort of curved cut, or an interior cut, like you would for cutting the outline of a rifle, it is complete garbage. I don't know, maybe you just have to have a ton of patience, but I certainly didn't have enough. Biggest PITA ever.

 

I would suggest anything else, like the suggestions others have listed, or as you mentioned, build your own working foam cutter.

The electric carving knife is actually doing a pretty good job. Thanks sir!

Not sure how deep you're cutting or if the layer you are cutting can come out, but I've found utility knives with brand new blades work exceptionally well at cutting case insert foam. You can get some at Home Depot and various craft stores that extend from a plastic handle several inches. they need to be knew - nice and sharp.

 

What might work is if you could make a template out off plywood or 1/4" hardboard, place it on your foam where you want the cut to be and then put weight on top of it to flatten the foam...the follow the pattern with your cutter. Probably more work then what you want to do but for serious OCD....

I have a Pelican rifle case that I bought from Acusport but it was molded for a SIG Rifle, I would like to replace the foam, where do you guys buy the foam from?

 

I have a Pelican rifle case that I bought from Acusport but it was molded for a SIG Rifle, I would like to replace the foam, where do you guys buy the foam from?

 

http://www.pelicancases.com/interior-options-s/98.htm

The price for the foam is as much as the case itself ($175.00). Do you guys know of a place where it would be cheaper?

little cheaper here:

 

http://www.foamerica.com/

 

do you know what pelican model number you have?

Just an idea have you tried a local upholstry place for foam?

Just an idea have you tried a local upholstry place for foam?

 

To be honest no, but believe or not that was going to be my next step.

 

By the way I do not know the model number, I looked all over the box to no avail, but here are the measurements for the bottom depth:

13 3/4" Width

35" Long

3 1/2" Thickness

 

 

Unless someone want to buy it....