How-To: Form-Fitting Case-, Drawer-Liners From Old T-Shirts, Canned Foam

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By Sean Michael Ragan
Posted 2011/08/30 @ 6:00 am
Category Electronics, Tools, Workshop

From New Zealand hot-rodder, machinist and active MadModder John Hill. [via MachinistBlog.com]

BY Sean Michael Ragan

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I write for MAKE, serve as Technical Editor for MAKE magazine, and develop original DIY content for Make: Projects.

In the Maker Shed

BeagleBoard BeagleBone Black

Calculator Kit from Spikenzie Labs

Telegraph Decoder Kit by Spikenzie Labs

Tux Case for Raspberry Pi

26 Responses to How-To: Form-Fitting Case-, Drawer-Liners From Old T-Shirts, Canned Foam

Ben Argyle on August 30th, 2011 at 1:07 pm said:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/08/29/20110829arizona-pruning-shears-impalement.html

How’s that for somewhere to store your shears?

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Matt Bedard on August 30th, 2011 at 2:57 pm said:

That’s a genius idea! I may use that method to make a custom laptop mold in a pelican case.

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Anonymous on August 30th, 2011 at 3:56 pm said:

How about using paper mache instead of foam? That would be cheaper and would produce less fumes. Remember to put cling-film over the tools to avoid rust.

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Trav on August 30th, 2011 at 4:40 pm said:

Instead of filling the whole drawer with foam, put in a thin layer and then a box on top. This would give you storage area under the tools and use less foam.

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Timothy Gray on August 30th, 2011 at 4:42 pm said:

Great for tools that stay clean. Tshirt material though will be a bad idea for wrenches of items that get dirty grubby.

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Timothy Gray on August 30th, 2011 at 4:42 pm said:

Great for tools that stay clean. Tshirt material though will be a bad idea for wrenches of items that get dirty grubby.

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averagejanecrafter on August 30th, 2011 at 4:45 pm said:

Hmmm … this might be a perfect trick for creating a custom-fit case for carrying our telescope eyepieces and other parts … love it!

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Anonymous on August 30th, 2011 at 7:05 pm said:

Wow! Very inspiring.

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Anonymous on August 30th, 2011 at 7:05 pm said:

Wow! Very inspiring.

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Joel Turner on September 1st, 2011 at 6:55 pm said:

I like the paper mache idea. How about using this technique for creating negative relief art.

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Joel Turner on September 1st, 2011 at 6:55 pm said:

I like the paper mache idea. How about using this technique for creating negative relief art.

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Joel Turner on September 1st, 2011 at 6:55 pm said:

I like the paper mache idea. How about using this technique for creating negative relief art.

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Joel Turner on September 1st, 2011 at 6:55 pm said:

I like the paper mache idea. How about using this technique for creating negative relief art.

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Joel Turner on September 1st, 2011 at 6:55 pm said:

I like the paper mache idea. How about using this technique for creating negative relief art.

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Bruce Richardson on September 1st, 2011 at 8:43 pm said:

Neat idea, you could make a great guitar pedal board like that.

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Kimmy Smalley on September 2nd, 2011 at 12:50 am said:

do you just let the foam sit? or do you have to do something to the foam? And can the foam be like insulating foam? Someone please tell me so I can do this, i dont want to get the wrong one.

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Kimmy Smalley on September 2nd, 2011 at 12:50 am said:

do you just let the foam sit? or do you have to do something to the foam? And can the foam be like insulating foam? Someone please tell me so I can do this, i dont want to get the wrong one.

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Jay Gerig on September 2nd, 2011 at 6:23 am said:

wow. did you have to do anything to compress the foam as it took it’s shape to harden or was gravity enough to get it to form so well? also, what did you do to make sure the bottom was square when you turned it over to fit into the drawer?

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Eva Chu on September 5th, 2011 at 12:34 am said:

If you actually plan to use the tool and they get dirty, if you can get a hold of an Instapak Quick packet, that would be perfect so you can wipe grease and dirt off of it.

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Eva Chu on September 5th, 2011 at 12:34 am said:

If you actually plan to use the tool and they get dirty, if you can get a hold of an Instapak Quick packet, that would be perfect so you can wipe grease and dirt off of it.

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Victor Michael Prevost on September 6th, 2011 at 4:59 pm said:

Simple and effective.Good job.

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Victor Michael Prevost on September 6th, 2011 at 4:59 pm said:

Simple and effective.Good job.

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Neil Carpenter on July 4th, 2012 at 7:14 pm said:

oooh gun case.

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- marty on December 18th, 2012 at 11:00 pm said:
  
  thats what im thinking about making, only for my nerf guns i spend like 4 hours painting them and modding and dont want to keep throwing in a grocery bag and getting banged up
  
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Wallsey on November 13th, 2012 at 11:35 pm said:

another idea guys, same as above, fabric, and spray foam… but once it dries, get some fiberglass resin and paint it over the fabric… leave it to dry… it will be clear (so ick some fabric you like) and grease wont stick to it

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marty on December 18th, 2012 at 10:56 pm said:

do you need to press it down into the grooves first or does that happen with the expansion? because yours is perfect looking

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