I’m looking for a source for the foam materials in Michael Fortune’s article A Slim, Comfortable Slip Seat, FWW #163, May/June 2003. I’ve always wanted to try his technique and now I am approaching the project with my antique dining room chairs.
He calls out the following:
“The closed-cell, high-density styrene foam used as the base layer of the seat is sold as sleeping-pad material for camping. It is available at camping-supply stores in thicknesses ranging from 1⁄4 in. to 3⁄4 in.” His project needs both 1/4″ and 1/2″ thicknesses and he says it can be cut with a bandsaw.
“I get low- and medium-density urethane foam from a local fabric store.” He uses 1/4″ low-density and 5/8″ medium density foam.
I don’t know where Mr. Fortune shops, but I’ve been looking on the Internet, at foam stores and suppliers, my favorite camping outlet, and fabric stores for two hours and I can’t find anything that seems suitable.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? Many thanks.
Replies
I know nothing about the article you reference but as an old backpacker, I used Ensolite sleeping pads. Ensolite is available in different sizes and densities. It's memory free, waterproof and very good at insulating you from the cold ground, pretty comfortable, too. Could be what he was referring to.
http://www.professionalplastics.com/ENSOLITEPVC-NBRFAOM
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Hammer,Thank you for offering your help on this. I looked at the web link but was overwhelmed with the 250 types of sheet products. I think I'm going to need a bit more hand-holding to point me to the right material.Many thanks, though.By the way, you're not Stephen Hammer, are you?
"By the way, you're not Stephen Hammer, are you?"The oboe player? No, I'm a drummer. Hammer is a nick name my carpentry students gave me. I just stripped the upholstery from a Victorian chair, must have been 1000 tacks! I don't have a lot of experience with upholstery. After repairs and refinishing, I'll ask some questions from suppliers like this one.
http://www.diyupholsterysupply.com/Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Your local fabric store will have everything you need.
Jeff
This site was very complete with specs to determine what you need .
http://www.carrscorner.com/foam.php
Dusty,This site finally set me up to talk intelligently with the foam guy in town. Thank you!
I recently bought foam from House of Foam in Palo Alto CA. They have a web site at which you can information or call them regarding ANY foam needs you have. They were very helpful and customer oriented.... even custom cut to size while I waited. Made my job much easier.
Jeff,By coincidence that is exactly where I got my foam. How about that?
That is really a coincidence.
Bob, the owner of this shop, custom ordered my foam (said it would be more cost effective for me than taking from his stock) then had me bring in my seat bottoms. He then glued the foam on and cut it to shape for me for 10 chairs for no extra charge. The cost was less than ordering from an internet site. So I think very highly of him and his service.
Jeff
I do too, except I was less patient than you. I had him cut from stock on hand and it cost $77 instead of $45 to order special (and wait two weeks). Otherwise, he did exactly the same for me while I waited. Then he demonstrated the technique of stapling the material onto the seat. Great customer experience.
b52,
Try http://www.buyfoam.com. Hope this helps.
Steve
There are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.
1. Let her think she's having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way. President Lyndon Baines Johnson
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