My case mod

**Flitzanu** · 02-13-2009, 04:53 AM

just fyi for anyone in the states...i found a similar case at the local walmart (meaning...no shipping costs) for $4.97.

it's the JDC-6 case, not the JDS-6.

from what i can find:

JDC-6: 1.3 x 3.8 x 5.4 (inches)
JDS-6: 1 x 3.75 x 5.25 (inches)

i've also been looking at some of the travel cases for USB hard drives, but they are pushing over 6" long and much wider, so i just don't know that they'd be usable for being pocket size, though they are more solid and protective. wouldn't be bad to use as a travel pack of sorts, and one of these made from the USB case as a pocket size.

i also do not have access to a laser cutting system, so i'll be trying my hand at trimming with an exacto blade as well. i figure all i can do is mess up pennies worth of foam in the process

**8-Ball** · 02-26-2009, 06:19 PM

Great thread... ordered the case and the bottles... thanks..!!!

Found this tip on cutting foam... haven't tried it...

I was looking at some of articles in CloudyNights on eyepiece case construction. I noted something in common ... cutting the foam.

I ran into this problem a couple of decades ago. Made a real mess out of my first attempt. After much experimentation I came up with a method of cutting that is really off the wall but works very nicely.

What you need to do is soak the foam block in water and wring it out as dry as you can. Then place it in your freezer for a day. This stiffens the foam enough where it can be cut quite cleanly with a serrated steak knife.

You do not want to freeze a block of foam that is soaking wet. It becomes as hard as a brick. But wrung out it is stiffened just enough to make cutting a breeze.

When you freeze the block of foam it needs to be on a flat surface. Also, you want to place a piece of wax paper between the foam and the surface to prevent the foam from sticking to the surface,

I have considered trying to freeze a block that is completely soaked and cutting holes in with a hole saw. Would be an interesting experiment, but I have not tried it.

Once you have the foam cut as you want it, you need to let it dry out before using it. I left mine out for two weeks to let all of the water evaporate. I suspect a couple of days would have been enough, but I would rather be safe than sorry with my expensive optics.

I have seen the cubed foam that is available now, but I have never tried it, but I think it would get ragged out in fairly short order. I think I would prefer the foam in my case to be one solid piece, cut only where needed.

You have my permission to reproduce this letter for publication or any other purpose. If you patent this method for cutting foam ... remember me in your will.

a couple more:

Use a old but sharp butcher' knife and a straight edge, it works great.

You can Heat(With a Blow Torch) an Old Long Kitchen Carving Knife-then slice away!
Works Great!!

**Flitzanu** · 02-26-2009, 06:26 PM

dude! i'm gonna try the freezing method! the others not so much. the exacto just tears since the foam isn't solid enough to cut "against" if that makes sense.

that's crazy. i'll report back after i freeze some foam. haha.

**ritalee76** · 02-26-2009, 06:39 PM

That sounds crazy enough that it just might work! Let us know how it goes... Pictures of progress would be even more awesome!

Rita

**raven** · 03-06-2009, 01:51 AM

I posted earlier on another thread in referrence to taking suggestions on making the perfect case to see what I could come up with - no need - this is the perfect case!!!

Great job!

**Flitzanu** · 03-06-2009, 02:02 AM

forgot to update...i still have frozen foam in my freezer. haven't tried to cut it yet.

first time i did have it TOO wet though, and it was a lot of ice, so that didn't work.

lately i've just been using the Camel tin with foam, but no room for extra tools or bottles.

**Flitzanu** · 03-08-2009, 05:51 PM

meh....freezing the foam didn't work so well. i've googled and i think most people use heating elements...i may try to heat up a paperclip and see if i can slice through it. i just haven't bothered lately since i have a usable Tin that holds my stuff

just no place for bottles.

**Cellmeister** · 03-08-2009, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Flitzanu

meh....freezing the foam didn't work so well. i've googled and i think most people use heating elements...i may try to heat up a paperclip and see if i can slice through it. i just haven't bothered lately since i have a usable Tin that holds my stuff

just no place for bottles.

Flitz,

U Gave me an idea since I don't have the hot cutter.

Umm I have a Hot Soldering Iron With a Knife/Razor Tip Attachment, Might have to try This.

Keep Vapin!

**imeothanasis** · 03-08-2009, 10:06 PM

Exellent mod, I like mods, they take you where you want to be, not waiting Chinese for updates

**Flitzanu** · 03-09-2009, 02:18 AM

Cell -- dont' quote me, but i think the issue is, if the heating element is too hot, it just melts and doesn't cut very well.

i'm not that techno when it comes to mods and such, so i blanked out on reading how people cut foam with modded woodburning kits, but i do know they said they're too hot, and i think solder is too hot as well, but never hurts to try

i think it's the density of the foam, that since it is so porous there's nothing solid enough to really cut against, so i think a thin filament heated enough to lightly...burn through it...would probably work.