EPS Blanks, roundup of new manufacturers?

General Discussion
1

Before people loose their mind, I searched. I promise.

I am seeing a bunch of announcements for new EPS blank manufacturers. However, I am curious whether anyone has posted a review or list of who is available. For example, I can’t seem to find blanks in So.Cal. I have found two ads for blanks from Fl, one from Hawaii and a couple in what I think must be Austrailia (maybe New Zeland). Also, I keep hearing people say that they placed orders, but have not gotten them. Finally, it seems you can get a hunk the size of a compact car for $450 from Inuslfoam in California, but what if you are working on a more modest scale.

So, how 'bout we get a thread going on where people are buying their EPS, what their experience is, who they like and don’t like, etc. Was shipping quick? Was the foam what you expected quality wise? Etc.

Maybe it would be something that could get pinned later.

Thanks.

2

contact Graphite Masters in LA for distribution of Ken’s (airframe) http://www.segwaycomposites.com/FoamBlanks.html EPS blanks based on Greg Loehr’s rocker templates.

if you search on segway composites I bet you find a lot of threads containing exactly this discussion.

3

It’s a good idea.

I have bought from:

Bob’s Foam Factory in Fremont, CA. Phone: 510-657-2420 website: http://www.bobsfoam.com/

1# EPS, 4’x8’ sheets, available in 1-6" thicknesses. Will make simple (like splitting it into 4x 1’ wide pieces) cuts for free.

Bay Foam, Hayward, CA. Phone: (510) 786-9663 / (800) 743-FOAM website: http://www.bayfoam.com/bayfoam/default.asp 2# EPS, cut to any dimensions desired (rectangular), max. length is 8’. 2-3 days for cutting. Can possibly order longer lengths, but more lead time. 12"x4"x8’ cost me $14 each, so blank is $26 +/-.

Dower bought 2# EPS through his local Home Depot and I got a 4’x8’ block from him for $88, so I know its also possible to order from them. Quality seems identical to Bay Foam’s 2#.

I have also bought the 2" thick 1# Insulfoam 4’x8’ sheets from Home Depot and won’t bother with that again. $7 each (1.5 years ago).

4

Here in Hawaii we have

Surflight/Markofoam molded EPS nice blanks tight well fused beads

Island Glass 2# EPS blanks hotwired from blocks

CMP has some EPS blanks for sale also

also an expanding list of shops glassing epoxy…

5

I’m with 4est. American blanks by Segway. Ken and Greg were kind enough to do the deminstrations at Cerritos College. Did you see all the photos from the last event at Cerritos?

FoamEZ just posted that they are selling EPS blanks.

I’m going to make my own but they won’t be for sale.