Cutting foam. Questions and thoughts

I got around to cutting out the foam for my case today. I found an electric filet knife is way better than a pocket knife. I still think I should have ordered the hot cutter with the jig to keep it at 90 degrees. At some point you just have to stop cutting to stop the bleeding. It only gets worse. As much as I thought I didn’t need it I should have used a straight edge. They can call this a two gun case all they want. I can’t see me ever putting two scoped rifles in one.

Across the top of the scope always looks like crap when I try to make it fitted. Anyone just use a straight line?

I’ve always put the scope down because it’s more aesthetically pleasing when I open the case. This can of course be turned either way after you cut it. Today, at 45, I decided it would make more sense if it was up Thoughts on this as far as protecting the scope??

I just got done cutting my Pelican foam as well. It definitely isn't a 2 gun case for sure. I used a "hot knife" that I used before. It did not do well with this type of foam at all. I'm not really happy with how it turned out. I've used the hot knife on Kaizen Foam before and it works great but this type of foam it didn't cut through it very well.

I've also always liked scope down as well, but what I was reading said that scope should be up so that if the case is dropped to the ground scope will be closest to the handle.

Here are some of the Kaizen Foams I did. They seem to come out much cleaner.

The electric knife cuts as smooth and steady and square as you can hold it. I felt zero resistance with it. Maybe the only good cut I made is when I held the knife still and pulled the foam through it.

What I did find is that for $59.99 and free shipping I can get 3 genuine Pelican centerpieces from Amazon so I can tear up as many as I want and or store the foam separate with them cut out for various rifles. Saves a ton of money on additional case purchases. Two cases and a pile of cut out foam labeled on the back for each application would likely cover a lifetime of needs for me.

The kaizen does look much better. I wonder if there’s different/variable temperature hot knives to compensate for different foam.

Used a razor blade. Don't think I'm as picky as yall. As long as its functional and protects the rifle, I really don't care what the foam in my rifle case looks like.

Ha, I'm OCD about that kind of stuff. I went from the Kaizen which the hot knife makes really good cuts on to the Pelican foam and it basically tearing it. Looks like I used a hand saw to cut it out LOL.

I was thinking of getting a sheet of Kaizen and useing it for the center in the Pelican case. On down the road though it is working for now.

The first one I did the cuts were so out of square top to bottom that I couldn’t flip it over. I was left with the red sharpie outline face up. Everyone said “flip it over” until I showed them the other side.

No doubt, you've done some quality work on your foam. Mine looks like an alligator got ahold of it compared to your professional work.

Hmmmm.... look what Walmart has for $7




Edit: would need a longer bit though.

Have cut many with electric fillet knife. The 1750 will hold 2 scoped rifles just not much extra room. Mine has made many trips over the pond with 2 rifles shoved in it. Wish it was about 6" wider.

Ha far from professional but thanks for the compliment

Not sure if that would work or not, seems to me the bit would grab the foam like a pair of pants in a bicycle chain and just tear the hell out of it.

Used at high blade speed, moving very slowly?

Maybe if you could flip it upside down and use it like a tabletop saw and move the foam through it. I think the foams too flimsy and would just jump up and down with them blade otherwise.

I’ve got scraps. I’m going to experiment with my dremel. If the next pic contains blood we will know how it went.

They have razor blade style blades for those, should w Do pretty good

Good call. Glad I had safety glasses handy.

Thats funny right there.

I wouldn't mind a layer of memory foam for the Pelican so I could just put the gun in the case like an old school egg crate foam case and skip the cut foam.

Amazon also has the egg crate style cut to size cheap.

What kind of electric knife are you using ? American Angler is a lot sharper than any others also a lot more dinero...........

Mr Twister. It’s the green and yellow one. After using many electric knives for fish I found this one to be the best for my hands for that application.