Side note to Pelican & H/F case

[Retired shooter]

Did not want to side track the other thread.
So in regards to foam inserts in the case, has anyone found a really good way to cut the foam. I've tried multiple times with my cases, never really pleased with any .

I've seen the MDT Daca peg inserts and kind of leaning that direction to install in a new Pelican 800 vault for a new rifle I am waiting on. As with anything, anymore, $$$$.$$ I am not flying with it, back & forth to local club range, & hopefully many trips north to ELR range.

Any thoughts & or suggestions. ??
To all a good day.

 

[Rick Richard]

I’ve used an electric carving knife with much success.

 

[Killing Time]

I have used the Outdoor Edge knife with replaceable blades and it works really well. I have done 3 Pelican 1750's with it and I usually go through 2 blades per gun case just to make sure I get a clean cut.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

long Filet knife

 

[Retired shooter]

Thank you Gentlemen
I've tried the electric knives, ordered one of the replacement surgical blade knives, tried it. Tried a small coping saw fine tooth blade. Done the plastic dip scenario. I guess I'm too damn picky. I know that's what dad told me.

At least with the DACA system it would not be a permanent system, it could be modified.

To all a good day.

 

[Trigger-Jerker]

I’ve always use a snap off blade utility knife. It’s much easier getting clean cut lines on the Pelican foam. That precut pluckable foam is a pain getting nice clean lines but for the sale prices of the HF Apache it’s an appealing option for those that don’t care.

 

[DRK]

Did not want to side track the other thread.
So in regards to foam inserts in the case, has anyone found a really good way to cut the foam. I've tried multiple times with my cases, never really pleased with any .

I've seen the MDT Daca peg inserts and kind of leaning that direction to install in a new Pelican 800 vault for a new rifle I am waiting on. As with anything, anymore, $$$$.$$ I am not flying with it, back & forth to local club range, & hopefully many trips north to ELR range.

Any thoughts & or suggestions. ??
To all a good day.

Hot wire cutter.

 

[Walt Krafft]

At the SHOT show last year, the Pelican person told me to put the foam in the freezer before cutting it with the electric knife. Frozen foam is easier to cut.

 

[Fire Dog]

At the SHOT show last year, the Pelican person told me to put the foam in the freezer before cutting it with the electric knife. Frozen foam is easier to cut.

Just how big did he think the average person’s freezer is…???
I have cut both solid and “Pluckable” foam with an electric knife.
The two reciprocating blades just cut smoothly {you can even make a plunge cut to get started on a centre piece} once I have used a white art pen to mark out the shape I want to cut. I always cut to the close side just to make sure that the rifle sits nice and secure and it can always have a bit removed but is a pain if you cut too much…
The “Pluck” foam is a nuisance and I hate it but sadly it seems to be the product that comes with most cases these days unless you wish to pay “extra” for the solid stuff.
I use a sparingly small amount of contact adhesive to glue in the little blocks that have been cut in half or are on a curve just to hold them in place if they show signs of pulling loose from the main body of foam.

 

[Killing Time]

Just how big did he think the average person’s freezer is…???

Exactly what I was thinking. I guess having a walk in freezer is the norm in some places.

 

[The boogalorian]

If you aren’t going to fly with it then why not use a less expensive soft case? I have pelican cases for traveling but like the soft cases from Savior for everything else.

 

[Maximus1840]

Thank you Gentlemen
I've tried the electric knives, ordered one of the replacement surgical blade knives, tried it. Tried a small coping saw fine tooth blade. Done the plastic dip scenario. I guess I'm too damn picky. I know that's what dad told me.

At least with the DACA system it would not be a permanent system, it could be modified.

To all a good day.

I use the DACA system in my vault 800 and like it for back and forth to the range. I love the ease of configuration.

 

[Retired shooter]

If you aren’t going to fly with it then why not use a less expensive soft case? I have pelican cases for traveling but like the soft cases from Savior for everything else.

Thank you to all.
When my son & I go to the range, ( several hours away) either my crewcab pickup or his, backseat is always loaded with two rifle cases on the seat , lab radar old version, longshot camera system, etc, etc. any of the important stuff.

I have also tried the hot knife for cutting the foam. I guess if a person had the old chest type freezer foam could be frozen, Maybe rent a meat locker for the weekend.

To all a great day.!

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I bet it would freeze outside at night in some places.

 

[Retired shooter]

I wouldn't lose sleep to cut it, and since retirement I don't get up that early, then have to have my coffee, &
read the latest on here. Get the priorities straight.

To all a good day.!

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Wish this subject had come up a while back. About 20 years ago I got this Pelican case for my Sinclair Front Rest and Protektor #13B rear bag and used the bogus Pluck form to fit the rest. Never occurred to me to freeze it first. duh



It's still going strong, minus a few of the silly Pluck squares. Next time it'll be solid foam!

 

[Daveofiowa]

I borrowed a knife kit from work that's made for foam, it worked well.

Kaizen Foam Cutting Tools & Accessories | Knives for Kaizen Foam Sheets

Find Kaizen foam cutting kit, long nose pattern marker, and knife thin to customize your own Kaizen foam insert to your liking. DIY Kaizen Foam Tools for DIY projects such as Kaizen Foam Hotknife, Kaizen Foam Frame, FastCap Longnose Marker, Kaizen cut kit, FastCap Kaizen Foam Scraper. Visit KCI...

kaizencasesandinserts.com

 

[Daveofiowa]

Here is the result.
As it so often does, prep work and good layout paid dividends, the long stem markers from the kit linked above were helpful.

 

[Retired shooter]

Here is the result.
As it so often does, prep work and good layout paid dividends, the long stem markers from the kit linked above were helpful.
View attachment 1731638

Very nice Sir.

 

[Fern]

I ordered a foam wire cutter from Amazon. It’s basically a handle with wire that you plug in and it cuts by melting the foam.
Saw something where someone made one using a dimmer to control the heat but figured easier to just order the inexpensive one from amazon