Pelican Foam Cutting

[Iraqgunz]

Can anyone tell me what tips or tricks they have used or are aware of to cut the foam in their Pelican cases so it looks professional? Is there a certain tool or technique that the factory uses? Thanks.

[tango-papa]

Can anyone tell me what tips or tricks they have used or are aware of to cut the foam in their Pelican cases so it looks professional? Is there a certain tool or technique that the factory uses? Thanks.

Many years ago when I had an HK-91 with all the factory accessories...
Sorry, I wish I still had that rifle.

An electric carving knife worked really well in combination with white chalk for tracing the "inserts".
All the cuts were really clean too.

Maybe an uber-sharp bread/carving knife in lieu of the electric version?

~tp

[subzero]

I read a big thread on TOS a while back on this subject. There's some good info.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=19&t=290776

[Sidewinder6]

We do a lot of similar work on pelicans. Google yourself a Hot Knife. That is what makes clean cuts in the hard foam.

[Iraqgunz]

It looks as if the "hot knife" may be the way to go. I think I'll check into getting one oand seeing what happens. Thanks.

[Army Chief]

I didn't have the hot knife option available to me when I prepared my cases, so instead, I used the chalk outline method, followed by the following ...

... most hardware/building/craft stores sell those retractable utility knives with the long, thin razor blade insert. These blades are segmented, so you can just snap off sections about 1/4" at a time as they get dull. I didn't snap anything off, but instead extended the full length of the blade out of the handle, which effectively gave me a razor sharp cutting instrument that was slightly longer than the thickness of the foam to be cut.

Holding thie blade perfectly perpendicular to the cutting surface, I just took my time and carved just inside of the line. I'm about a 9.0 to 9.5 on the ARS (anal retentive scale), and was still pleased with the results, so as a field expedient means of getting the job done, I think you might find this a viable alternative; especially if you've no practical access to a hot knife.

In some respects, this wouldn't seem to be any different from just using a long kitchen knife, but the reality is that the extreme sharpness of the utility blade delivers a much cleaner result. (Every time I've tried to use a kitchen knife, I've been pretty underwhelmed with the results.)

Chief

[rob_s]

I used an electric carving knife. I wanted it to fit both rifles, so it's got a little play with each.





FWIW, this was more of an experiment in boredom than anything else. I'm not convinced of th utility of cutting the foam to fit.

[vigilant2]

Its a Bulldog Hard/Soft discreet case along the same lines with the foam. In
what would be considered a field expedient procedure, I outlined the weapon
with an X-acto knife (extra blades handy). I then used a Schrade extreme
folding knife and lots of patience to cut away the foam.