Focus and Filter by Andrew Darlow

Author:Andrew Darlow
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781612436227
Publisher: Ulysses Press
Published: 2017-02-26T16:00:00+00:00

Packing Foam

Packing foam is ideal for cutting and inserting anywhere you need a sturdy type of cushioning. White closed cell foam is more easily chipped and damaged, so it’s better for use as a box liner.

CUSHION YOUR PRODUCTS—Cushioned foam is another popular product, as seen in fig. 26.8. Customize it by cutting out sections carefully with a long knife or blade, such as an Olfa Pistol Grip Ratchet-Lock Utility Knife (L-1). Here are some cushioned foam options I recommend:

Pick N Pluck foam options: These avoid the need for cutting. Just trace the item lightly with some white chalk over the area where you want to insert it, pull out the foam pieces that are in that area and insert the item. Use multiple blocks of the foam to fill a case, or a portion of a case. I’d recommend the Pelican 1062 Pick N Pluck Foam Insert (made for the Pelican 1060 Micro Case, but you can purchase just the insert and use it for other cases).

Online Fabric Store (www.onlinefabricstore.net) sells Pick N Pluck foam in both 1- and 2-inch thicknesses for about $4 and $7, respectively.

Egg crates: For even more protection and to simulate the padding in many heavy-duty cases, add egg crate foam (or the ¼-inch closed cell foam) to the top of your items by attaching the foam to the lid, which will also help keep the items from moving around. I recommend the 1½ × 36 × 75-inch sheets of egg crate foam, which cost about $25 each, also from www.onlinefabricstore.net.

Another question that may come up is, “How do I get the foam to fit inside of my case?” If the case is just a simple square or rectangle, measure it, draw the dimensions on the foam, and cut it with a ruler and a sharp knife. If it is a more complex shape, use easy-release masking/painter’s tape to carefully fill the bottom of a case, overlapping the tape a bit as you go. (Cut the tape with scissors for more accurate edges.) Pull the tape up and transfer it to the top of the foam, then cut the foam along the edges of the tape.

A SELECTION OF VERY USEFUL, YET AFFORDABLE CASES

I use Harbor Freight’s item #93929, pictured in fig. 26.5 and 26.6, to hold many of my lighting accessories, including hot shoe adapters for mounting flash units on tripods, brackets for mounting multiple flash units on tripods or stands, umbrella brackets, quick-release plates and more. However, it is still small enough for me to take almost anywhere.

I use this same case to hold many of my wireless flash transmitters and receivers. I also store the batteries I will need for them in the same box. See the next tip for information on how you can easily test batteries, which is essential when using gear like wireless transmitters and wireless Lavalier mic packs that usually take 9-volt batteries.

The Harbor Freight case shown in fig. 26.7 is relatively large and quite strong, with many potential uses. It can also be configured in several ways, and comes with protective foam on the top and bottom.

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