Author Topic: Foam Sheets  (Read 15007 times)

stephen.shannon

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« on: September 11, 2013, 15:42:32 PM »
Hi All,

Does anyone have a source for foam sheets for model building?

Stephen
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billscottni

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« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2013, 19:19:30 PM »
What type of foam Stephen?
White foam, Blue foam, EPP, Depron?

Keith

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« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2013, 23:04:09 PM »
Hi bill im sure its Epp he is looking for but it will have to be thick

stephen.shannon

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« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2013, 13:37:16 PM »
Hi Bill,

It's EPP I'm after, but if there is a suitable substitute I'm open to suggestions thanks

Stephen
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billscottni

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« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2013, 14:27:59 PM »
Only place I know at the moment for thicker sheets of EPP is Flying Dog. Used to be a crowd called Linpac in South Wales but haven't heard much from them in years. Fred may know of a French supplier

http://www.flying-dog.co.uk/shop/epp-foam-c-1.html

Depends what you're planning to build as to what alternatives there are

Fred

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« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2013, 15:13:39 PM »
Howdy,

There is one in France alright:

http://www.polymodel.fr/products/fiche-8/epp-noir-et-blanc-20grl/

They also have 30g ones and prices are decent.
Never tried them, I only used one in Germany, but I cannot remember the name!  :!:  I'll put the link as soon as I remember!

Also, there is a bigger one for EPP in France (EPP Supplier) called GT if I remember, but you need to order something like 100Kgs of the stuff, but works very cheap (good for group buy)
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stephen.shannon

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« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2013, 23:41:48 PM »
This may sound stupid but....

I called B&Q today, they have 8' x 4' sheets of foam board, 50mm or 75mm thick, can tat be used?
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billscottni

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« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2013, 12:25:22 PM »
If it's white foam Stephen make sure it's virgin foam and not recycled. Recycled has little lumps and imperfections which make hot wire cutting a nightmare.

Blue, pink or Knauf and it'll be fine

stephen.shannon

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« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2013, 18:24:55 PM »
I bought a small sheet to try. It looks fine on the outside, clean and uniform. It was only €6 for a 50mm x 1.2m sheet. We'll see
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billscottni

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« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2013, 19:01:13 PM »
Should be a uniform colour and bead size throughout. Any lumps and colour flecks and it's probably recycled

stephen.shannon

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« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2013, 14:36:19 PM »
Bloody hell, when one thinks about foam one would expect it to be straigth forward, but oh know.... I seemto have an amazing ability to get into things that are impossible to source..... :!:

Anyway it appears what I bought yesterday was a polystyrene board not expanded polypropylene like I needed. Just in case you're interested Polystyrene is much more ridgid but is brittle with it....

It appears there is a place in the UK that sells it but its 39euro for 1m x 1m x 30mm, I've sourced a Polyethelene board in Dublin but I'm not sure it will do the job.... off to do more research.....  :?  :?  step in here any time lads if you've any input thanks.....
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billscottni

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« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2013, 15:14:17 PM »
You sure you're not looking for Expanded Polypropylene (EPP)?

polyethylene is the sort of greasy stuff that comes as packaging with high end electronics.

stephen.shannon

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« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2013, 08:34:47 AM »
HI Bill,

Yea its EPP i'm looking for the only stuff I could find readily available in sheets in Dublin was polythelene "which is the geasey stuff"

I think I settle for the sheets I can import from the UK, the price is reasonable and its on line for ordering.
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stephen.shannon

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« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2013, 09:33:17 AM »
So I cut my first wing section last night with my hand made bow. its a tad rough but its all  learning....

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/v/vGBH7uMOS0w[/youtube]
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billscottni

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« Reply #14 on: September 18, 2013, 17:11:05 PM »
You need to increase the wire tension in your bow, that's why the ridges form a semi circle towards the TE. Always cut bottom first, top second. Only move the bow as fast as the foam melts. If you're serious about foam cutting, build a "drop arm cutter". Simple & effective and works hands off!

http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articles/tools/brengmancutter.htm

http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articles/foam_vac/mrcss_foamcutter.htm