Foam replacement for bow cases.

Thorvald

Active member
Hi.

I have had this Gompy KT1 bowcase for almost 20 years now. The foam - especially for the arrows could need to be replaced. But I am not sure how to find such foam. I have tried looking at google after some in Denmark with foam, but these foams are very expensive (for suitcases, toolboxes and stuff like that). Quicks have some replacement foam for some bowcases, but it won't fit to mine.

What kind of foam am I looking for? What is the name of it? Perhaps somebody know exactly where I can find it? And how to glue it to the cardboard, what sort of glue will hold?

 

Neo

New member
Bowsports had a sheet of it in today for ?10. I almost bought it but thought I would try make something out of a block of hard polystyrene.
 

Tropicalshot

New member
Have you tried camping shops and alike, we have a company here called Clark Rubber that stocks all sorts of High density foam etc, Or even specialised packaging places may stock, But a good archery shop should be able to supply you with foam
 

Thorvald

Active member
Thank you very much for your suggestions. Of course I could e-mail Gompy... Why didn't I think about that... :duh:

I will have a look at your different suggestions.
 

Wolf

New member
Thorvald

Try to find a flightcase or roadcase builder. You will not have any trouble finding one in Denmark I am sure. If you can't find one, then ask PA/sound rental companies, back line hire or lighting companies where they get their cases and foam.
 

Bald Eagle

New member
For your arrow foam, get 1" round pipe lagging, slit it lengthways, cut two pieces to width of bow case, then measure 1 +3/4" along them cutting slits halfway through to store your arrows. Cheap and effective.
 

Thorvald

Active member
For your arrow foam, get 1" round pipe lagging, slit it lengthways, cut two pieces to width of bow case, then measure 1 +3/4" along them cutting slits halfway through to store your arrows. Cheap and effective.
Hmm, not exactly what I intend to do, I have ordered some rectangular pieces 235x30x30 mm, that I will cut slits in, for the arrows.
 

twev

Member
See if you can hold of some Polyurethane Foam. I managed to get some offcuts for my bow case. Try this company, they might know of someone who uses it near you.
Carpenter, Denmark
 

Thorvald

Active member
Well, now next step is arising. I have received the goods that I ordered from E-foam. Though there was some difficulties. The postman lost it from his mopped in the first place, but then it was found and delivered to the postal service. And then not all I ordered was in the package - 2 more of the small pieces for arrows are missing and the spray adhesive...

But ok, untill that comes, I can start planning how to make it. The quality of the foam seems very good for the purpose.

 

Riceburner

Active member
Thorvald - looks like the "packing"foam from E-foam?

if so - it's the same as the stuff I've got.

To cut it, I used a small serrated kitchen knife, and found the best method for a clean cut was to use a very deliberate "sawing" motion - with very little pressure against the foam - let the serrations do the work of cutting the foam.
I found even a very sharp "plain" knife wouldn't cut the foam, it's sort of like very soft wood - which is why you need the serrations.
 

Thorvald

Active member
Yep - it is "packaging foam" from Efoam. It seems like a good quality and I think it is of better quality than the original foam in my bowcase.

Thanks for the tip about what knife to use. I have such, so I will try that. Did you use the spray adhesive from Efoam? I ordered it but they wouldn't send it (too dangerous?). It's difficult to see on Efoam's website what the name of the adhesive is, as the picture of it is quite small. If I am going to find it here in Denmark, I need to know what I am looking for - or if I can use something else glue, like normal wood glue???
 

Riceburner

Active member
Yep - it is "packaging foam" from Efoam. It seems like a good quality and I think it is of better quality than the original foam in my bowcase.

Thanks for the tip about what knife to use. I have such, so I will try that. Did you use the spray adhesive from Efoam? I ordered it but they wouldn't send it (too dangerous?). It's difficult to see on Efoam's website what the name of the adhesive is, as the picture of it is quite small. If I am going to find it here in Denmark, I need to know what I am looking for - or if I can use something else glue, like normal wood glue???

I didn't get any glue at all - just bought a lump in the 3 dimensions that I needed (it was for a camera bag). Can't help on that, sorry :(
 

Maverick

New member
Hey, I got my foam from efoam to redo an old archery case I had kicking about.

I didn't use the glue from efoam, I just used a spray adhesive from the local DIY store, which is designed for sticking down carpet tiles, and other flooring. It worked really well.

As for cutting the foam, I used a long bladed craft knife.
 

Thorvald

Active member
Ok - I see. I have found that I can get these spray adhesive in the local Danish DIY store - but the disadvantage is that they are relative expensive - but on the other hand the glue should be something that will hold. In the club when we repair / change the foam centers in the targets we use some wood glue, but I don't know if it would be strong enough for the bowcase purpose. But I should go to the store one day I have time, to see what they have.
 

Maverick

New member
I never tried wood glue, but I was fortunate enough, that a friend had just fitted new carpets, so had a few cans of glue in the house.
 

Froggy the Elder

New member
I think wood glue will probably be ok. Test a bit if you can.

The spray adhesive would be superior, but as you say could be more expensive and sepending on what the solvents are, could dissolve the foam (but that would probably make it stick much better anyway!) But since they sell a spray adhesive, you should be fine.

If you have a hot melt gun.....

There are all sorts of regulations regarding transporting "hazardous" goods, a supplier can only deliver what its chosen courier is willing to handle. It's a case of how much fuss and expense the courier and the supplier is willing to put up with.
 
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