Jeff Lawrence on tue 7 sep 99
Carla Fiati was describing her foam-in-place insulation method.
Hello Carla,
I want to pass on a warning about this method. I just retired my
foam-in-place packing machine (good-bye to $2500) because an employee
became violently allergic to the foam chemical. The foam chemical contains
diisocyanates, which stimulate bad reactions in some people, and which can
over time develop allergies in those exposed to it. We used it by an
exhaust fan to vent all the odors but once he was sensitized, he reacted
even to levels we could not smell.
We used it daily for several years without such incident, so your
occasional use probably won't be an issue, but I thought you might like a
heads-up.
Best,
Jeff
Jeff Lawrence Sun Dagger Design
jml@sundagger.com Rt. 3 Box 220
www.sundagger.com Espanola, NM 87532
vox 505-753-5913 fax 505-753-8074
Veena Raghavan on tue 7 sep 99
--
Message text written by Ceramic Arts Discussion List
>From: Carla Flati
Subject: New Packing Method
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
I've been meaning to post this message for quite a while and even though
nobody has written with a packing problem, I'm sharing this anyway.
<
Carla,
Just wanted to thank you for sharing your packing method. Sounds very
interesting and a great way to do it.
All the best.
Veena
Veena Raghavan
75124.2520@compuserve.com
Pamala Browne on wed 8 sep 99
I would seriously look into the ingredients of the foam. I hate this stuff--
my ex used it to fill holes in my house-- it does it's job well ,but the
stuff in my house IS insulation-- it IS glass fiber and it WILL get into
your skin and eyes-- maybe the stuff you're using is different --hope so !
pamalab
----- Original Message -----
From: Carla Flati
To:
Sent: Monday, September 06, 1999 7:49 AM
Subject: New Packing Method
> I've been meaning to post this message for quite a while and even though
> nobody has written with a packing problem, I'm sharing this anyway.
>
> I had packed boxes for shipping to Mexico City and Italy which I thought
> would be able to withstand a bomb blast. I sent them off, and when they
> arrived at their destinations, they looked like a bomb had gone off INSIDE
> of them. This happened more than once so I came up with a way of packing
> that lets you practically dribble the box like a basketball without
breaking
> anything. I'm not suggesting this method for production potters, only for
> people who have a few pots to ship a great distance or something very very
> important that you don't want to take any chances with.
>
> The hardest part is going to the hardware or builders supply for a can of
> this spray foam sealant/insulation that works the magic. Its sold under
> different brand names but it comes in a regular spray can like Krylon.
The
> one I use is called "Great Stuff". I buy the Triple Expanding version
since
> it goes a lot farther. I always buy 2 cans in case I run out halfway
> through packing. It costs under $3 per can. The stuff foams up like
crazy
> when you spray it, then dries like airy Styrofoam.
>
> The first thing I do is find a nice sturdy box that's about 3 times the
> dimensions of my pot. I spray the foam about a third of the way up the
> inside of the box and let it stiffen up (takes about 10 or 15 minutes). I
> wrap the pot in bubble wrap a few sheets thick then tape it up. I put it
> into a large, thick plastic bag
> (hefty bag) and place it on top of the hardened foam (centered) making
sure
> the plastic covers all of the foam and sort of smooth it closely over the
> wrapped pot so you see a round bump. I've also used whole sheets of
> newspaper laid over the pot instead of a hefty bag. Spray the insulation
> all
> around the pot filling the box up to the top and let it harden. The pot
> can't move because its completely encased in the foam which also protects
it
> from the gentle hands of our postal workers. I've sent multiple pots in
> bigger boxes by spacing them apart on top of the first layer of foam and
> making sure there was foam in between each pot and between the pots and
the
> sides of the box. It works like a charm. I guess this is an "ugly"
version
> of the fancy custom molded Styrofoam cases that I always hold on to
> thinking, "Maybe one of my pots will fit into this" but they never do!
I've
> shipped at least a dozen boxes like this and NOTHING has arrived broken.
>
> The foam will stick to the bottom and sides of the boxes, and since I've
> only used this on pots for my relatives (freebies), I just let them cut
open
> the whole box. I suppose you could line the box with newspaper or place a
> big open hefty bag (like the box was a garbage can you were lining) before
> you put the foam in, but you know that takes a few more seconds and my
> relatives are good with knives anyway (just kidding).
>
> The foam smells like spray paint so you might want to do this outside. It
> also has the same warnings on the label as spray paint so use your head.
> The can does say that the "cured foam is NOT a hazard to health".
>
>
> Hope this is useful to someone. If anyone tries this, let me know how it
> worked out for you.
>
> Carla
> (in Pittsburgh where it turned out to be a great day for a fiesta)
>
Bill Aycock on wed 8 sep 99
This packing methjod has been use in the electronics industry for some
time, but with one difference that helps in the unpacking.
the difference is that you foam into plastic bags, rather than put the ware
in the bag. By foaming into the bag (as, one bag below the work, another
above, all in a box), the foam only sticks to the p[lastic, not the box or
the work.
I have seen computer components (mainframe size) packed by sandwitching the
component between bags, already in a box, with tubes to the outside- the
box is closed, taped, and the foam intruduced, first into the lower bag,
then into the upper. - instant protection, easily unpacked.
Bill
-
Bill Aycock --- Persimmon Hill
Woodville, Alabama, US 35776
(in the N.E. corner of the State)
W4BSG -- Grid EM64vr
baycock@HiWAAY.net
w4bsg@arrl.net
Fredrick Paget on fri 10 sep 99
> snip
>................. appeared to
>be trashbags that had been put over a form in the box and the foam sprayed
>inside of the trashbag making it formfit the PC. You could lay the pot in the
>box cover with a trash bag and spray inside the bag. Turn the pot and bag
>over and do the same on the other side of the pot. It would be form fit and
>easy to remove.
>Bobbi in Central PA
That foam that is sold to consumers in a pressure can requires moisture
from the air to harden. I am afraid that if it is sprayed inside a plastic
bag it would not expand and set up. Maybe if a little water were spryed in
too it would expand better and set up. Has anybody tried this yet?
Fred Paget
>From Fred Paget, Marin County, California, USA
Mason Batchelder on fri 10 sep 99
Dear John,
I would use the weight and the strength of the cardboard as factors in
determining which to use. Have you looked into sono tubes/they are round
tubes that come in differing diameters and heights. They are used to form
column shapes for such things as freeway supports made of concrete and are
sold by diameter and height $/EACH.I think Thomas Register or the yellow
pages would be where to find them. A number of galleries I have seen and
artists at crafts fairs use them as pedestals as well as packing tubes. These
are very strong and would not likely be damaged in shipping.
Margaret
Bobbi Bassett on mon 13 sep 99
In a message dated 9/10/99 3:33:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
ARTISTINSC@aol.com writes:
> Have you looked into sono tubes/they are round
> tubes that come in differing diameters and heights. They are used to form
> column shapes for such things as freeway supports made of concrete and are
> sold by diameter and height $/EACH.I think Thomas Register or the yellow
> pages would be where to find them. A number of galleries I have seen and
> artists at crafts fairs use them as pedestals as well as packing tubes.
> These
> are very strong and would not likely be damaged in shipping.
These tubes are now available at Lowe's and Home Depot here. They have them
in various sizes and are probably cheaper than at concrete places.
Bobbi in Central PA
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