where to get large amount of foam?

[GPW]

Eagle ,around here the oil industry uses giant blocks of beaded foam for flotation , temporary buoys , and floats ... Like 6’X6’X6' ... all with a hole through the middle to attach a line ... we see them regularly in oilfield company lots ... usually pretty beat up by the time , but we know the foam at least comes that big ... they’re Not laminated, just one Big piece... Would be FUN to get a couple pieces of this , glue them together and start carving .... but it could get Messy !!!

From previous experience with salvaging foam , once you cut off the weathered surface , the inside foam is like brand new ...

[bonnie]

Big chunks, cheap:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/bfs/2759635056.html

Finally got a call back. That 4x8x20" foam chunks are from a marina. If I load 'em I can have fewer than a truckload for the same price. Question. How much would a chunk of foam that big weigh? I'm thinking about buying four. Then I need to rig some sort of cutting slide as I don't have a way to make a gravity cutter -- not enough headroom. Unless it would work on an incline?

I'm hoping to get about 5 usable 4x6 or so pieces out of each chunk. Do you think that's being optimistic?

Now I just need to make plans for the road trip.

[swampjeep]

I remember seeing a guy cutting 3" thick down to 2 pieces about 1.5 thick, had a nice set up where you push the piece thru, I'll have to see if I can find that for you.

[GPW]

Actually it’s pretty easy to slab out a block ... you need a table and a hot wire elevated to the cutting height ... easily done with scrap 2X4s and some clamps (do we need a pic) ... a temporary cutter than can easily be disassembled and returned to the scrap pile ... I’d LOVE to find some big blocks ... been looking around here , nothing yet ...

[Treeview]

I've used this mega search to find many things, including insulation:

http://www.searchtempest.com/

Tom

[swampjeep]

Actually it’s pretty easy to slab out a block ... you need a table and a hot wire elevated to the cutting height ... easily done with scrap 2X4s and some clamps (do we need a pic) ... a temporary cutter than can easily be disassembled and returned to the scrap pile ... I’d LOVE to find some big blocks ... been looking around here , nothing yet ...

the one I seen was like this but with rollers right by the wire to keep the foam on the table and hopefully get an even thickness, but yes, pretty simple use of the hot wire.

[Treeview]

Any links to these cutters? I've seen the basic concept. Its nice to see how people haves solved specialized problems like 'resawing' foam to the right thickness.

Tom

[swampjeep]

found the thread I was thinking of, no rollers, but it uses a bar to hold the foam down as you push it through.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/58926-POD-Homebuilt-foam-core-fiberglass-skin-pop-up-camper-build-thread/page2

[Treeview]

Yes...now I remember!

Go to post #43 for pics of his resaw setup!

Tom

[GPW]

Wow!!! Post 45 says it all about slicing foam details ... Glad to see somebody else building with Foam ...
Looks like good solid construction too ...

[bonnie]

Those 4x8 by 20" blocks I found are old dock floats. Owner says they weigh around 200lbs each. Too heavy for my project.

[SteveW]

That thread was the one that really got me interested in using foam for my build.

[bonnie]

Me too.

[GPW]

A 4X8X20” Foam block should weigh ~ 100# Maybe he just has it wrong ...

[KCStudly]

Or maybe they are water logged?