Foam inserts for small containers

[Wendell Ricketts]

Hello all. I’m wondering if anyone knows of a source in the US for sheets or rolls of soft EVA foam that I can cut to size for the bottoms of various small plastic specimen containers. I’m looking for something no more than about 6mm in thickness (not “foam paper” or “foam core”). Althor used to sell exactly what I need, but the minimum order is now $100, and I won’t use that much foam in the rest of my life. Thanks much for any help or leads.

 

Wendell 

[ChristineR]

It might be simpler and more affordable  to purchase gem jars with foam. You can get 50 for $6 to $7.  A google search will bring up a plethora of options with either black or white foam. 
 

@will stevenson shared a template for typed labels which , when place under the foam tidy up the the presentation nicely. 
 

sorry I can’t help with separate foams. 

[Thomas.Dodson]

Gem jars work for smaller specimens.

 

I have used such foams in my containers but I've never bought them. I just stockpile them whenever they arrive with something else. I've seen Mac's hardware (ND, SD, and MN chain) carry such foams so you might want to check similar hardware stores in your area.

[Notidanodon]

you could just use cotton wool, you can get rolls of it fairly cheaply

[ChristineR]

4 hours ago, Wendell Ricketts said:

sheets or rolls of soft EVA foam

So sorry, your post clearly stated rolls or sheets. Joann Fabrics carries 5 mm eva sheets.  If you download the register your email, you will receive 40% off coupons monthly.  Other fabric and hobby shops may have them as well. 

[Wrangellian]

Fabric shops are a good place to start looking... I use a cotton batting type cloth from our local one for the bottoms of my smaller specimen boxes. They might have the EVA stuff too, but I won't stake my life on that.. But they have rolls of all kinds of stuff, not just fabric per se.

Edited September 26, 2021 by Wrangellian

[jpc]

I avoid cotton batting as it is full of cooton temdrils that can get caught on the texture of my fossils.  Also, the foam I got in the gem jars has faded to yellow over the years.  Not good. 

 

I am not sure what eva foam is, but Uline has sheets of thin foam and maybe other options.  30 bucks will get you a life supply

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-775/Foam/Uline-Foam-Roll-1-8-12-x-175-Perforated?pricode=WB0326&gadtype=pla&id=S-775&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItIP96YSd8wIV0iCtBh26agGEEAQYBSABEgLXRfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

 

I also found this:

https://www.amazon.com/UBOXES-Foam-Wrap-Thick-Perforated/dp/B005K0A9WY/ref=asc_df_B005K0A9WY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198078006627&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16157969534939040066&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029366&hvtargid=pla-352130261175&psc=1

 

[Wrangellian]

I don't mean the loose, springy type of batting that comes in pre-made jewelry boxes like those on the left in this pic. That stuff is very snaggy. I got a box full of those and I take them out of the boxes and replace them with a square of the stuff on the right, which is a denser, flatter type of cotton (from the fabric store) that does not snag too badly on any of my fossils, even small ones, though there may be other kinds of fossil that are more problematic than any I have, I dunno. This stuff may not be foolproof but it is good for the small specimen boxes as it is fairly low-profile and not too loose or coarse. I've had problems with similar kinds of flatter cotton (or maybe plastic?) quilt batting too, so you have to watch which kind you get.

I guess a sheet of plastic foam will not snag at all, but is it soft enough for delicate fossils and keep them from rolling around in the box as you handle it or open and close your drawers?

 

Edited September 27, 2021 by Wrangellian

[Kikokuryu]

11 hours ago, jpc said:

Also, the foam I got in the gem jars has faded to yellow over the years.  Not good. 

 

Not good with chemistry, but does that imply that the foam is gassing something off, or reacting to oxygen / something in the air which is not good for the specimens? Or "not good" as it, it's ugly now.

 

I know a lot of these things are supposed to be made of inert material, but they break down or yellow quite often. Yoga mats were something I was unsure about as well since I was thinking of using them as a cushion, but I heard mixed views on how inert they are, or if they gas off something. I know for PVC, especially things like figures or toys gas off plasticizer I think?

[carch_23]

On 9/27/2021 at 12:35 PM, Wrangellian said:

I don't mean the loose, springy type of batting that comes in pre-made jewelry boxes like those on the left in this pic. That stuff is very snaggy. I got a box full of those and I take them out of the boxes and replace them with a square of the stuff on the right, which is a denser, flatter type of cotton (from the fabric store) that does not snag too badly on any of my fossils, even small ones, though there may be other kinds of fossil that are more problematic than any I have, I dunno. This stuff may not be foolproof but it is good for the small specimen boxes as it is fairly low-profile and not too loose or coarse. I've had problems with similar kinds of flatter cotton (or maybe plastic?) quilt batting too, so you have to watch which kind you get.

I guess a sheet of plastic foam will not snag at all, but is it soft enough for delicate fossils and keep them from rolling around in the box as you handle it or open and close your drawers?

 

 

On 9/27/2021 at 2:20 AM, jpc said:

I avoid cotton batting as it is full of cooton temdrils that can get caught on the texture of my fossils.  Also, the foam I got in the gem jars has faded to yellow over the years.  Not good. 

 

I am not sure what eva foam is, but Uline has sheets of thin foam and maybe other options.  30 bucks will get you a life supply

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-775/Foam/Uline-Foam-Roll-1-8-12-x-175-Perforated?pricode=WB0326&gadtype=pla&id=S-775&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItIP96YSd8wIV0iCtBh26agGEEAQYBSABEgLXRfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

 

I also found this:

https://www.amazon.com/UBOXES-Foam-Wrap-Thick-Perforated/dp/B005K0A9WY/ref=asc_df_B005K0A9WY/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198078006627&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16157969534939040066&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029366&hvtargid=pla-352130261175&psc=1

 

Hey guys, are these the paddings used in rikers? As I wasnt sure bought also thought that they looked as if they can get caught on my teeth but thought i was just overreacting. Though now it seems that others have the same concern. Do you guys suggest replacing the insides of rikers then? 

 

I actually like how with clear membranes, you dont have this issue which is why I use it on some of my fossils and how it looks quite aesthetic. THough i am concerned on the lack of protection which is just the plastic layer. 

[Wendell Ricketts]

Hello all. Packing foam seems too thin, and the typical ribbed or embossed texture isn’t ideal. Cotton batting might work, but the trick is finding the less “fuzzy” kind that won’t eat or get entangled in specimens. I’ll check  that out, as well as Joann’s EVA options, though I’m concerned about that texture as well. Thanks for all the great ideas and the new avenues to research! W

[Wrangellian]

11 hours ago, carch_23 said:

Hey guys, are these the paddings used in rikers? As I wasnt sure bought also thought that they looked as if they can get caught on my teeth but thought i was just overreacting. Though now it seems that others have the same concern. Do you guys suggest replacing the insides of rikers then?

In the Riker mounts I have it looks like the same material as the springy stuff on the left in my picture. No reason why you couldn't replace it with something else. I haven't replaced that stuff in my Rikers, because I kind of need the items to stay in place as they do with the upward pressure of the springy stuff.

The stuff on the right in my photo is quite different - as I say, it's much flatter and does not snag noticeably though that might depend on the fossil. (I guess a silicified fossil freed from matrix by acid bath might snag on just about anything fibrous.) But I should point out that there are different types of material that look like the cotton stuff I use - some of it is better than others.

Edited September 29, 2021 by Wrangellian

[Harry Pristis]

For years, I used open-cell, 1/2", polyurethane foam in my plastic boxes.  I discovered, after 20 or 30 years, that this foam first yellows, then breaks down into a semi-sticky brown goo.  You can see some of the yellowed polyurethane foam in the shark tooth drawers pictured.  

I have been converting the cushion to a closed-cell foam similar to the foam sheets that are used to wrap electronics (for example).  Is this the EVA mentioned in this thread? 

The closed cell material seems quite inert, but is not as yielding as the polyurethane foam.  Sometimes it may take 2, even 3 pieces of the closed-cell material for the right fit.

I bought a roll of 1/4" cushioning foam because it meets my needs, but various thinner versions can be scrounged.  Local furniture store dumpsters are a likely source.  I use an guillotine-type paper-cutter to cut the cushion to size.

 

 

pet wood online.rtf

[Wrangellian]

I had some of that closed-cell stuff that used to be under carpeting on the floor, and I was using it for the bottoms of my little boxes, but I later decided it was bad (maybe incorrectly) because it was "plastic", and replaced it all with the cotton stuff or soft paper. I don't know where you get it but maybe the same place you get carpet?

[Harry Pristis]

I have some of that rubbery under-carpet foam pad, but I've always considered it too bulky and stiff to use to cushion my fossils.  It does seem to be more durable than the open-cell polyurethane.  Oddly enough, the closed cell material I used now is more stiff than the under-carpet foam.  I suppose we just have to rely on experience -- our own and the experience of others -- and keep an eye on our things.