Where to buy 1/4” open cell foam in States? (1 Viewer)

[jbomb1018]

I'd rate neoprene & Ensolite a bit firmer than true casino surface, but not by a lot. Casino's may be an open-cell type.

Going thicker with Volara isn't going to do much, it'll still going to be harder than neoprene.

The premium neoprene at FoamByMail is a tick softer than Ensolite(Gym Rubber), but costs more & can be had in 3/8" thickness if you like.

Since I have a build coming up I found an eBay seller listing 3/16" neoprene sheet. I ordered a foot of it as a sample to get a feel for the density vs FoamByMail's.

I can let you know what I find out when I get it in if you want.

one more question for you, open cell foam, do you know if there is a chance the the foam will break down and not come back to original size?

 

[Dix]

Open cell foams are FAR more forgiving than closed cell types in that regard.

As I stated in an earlier post.....

Volara has a tendency to dent easily, & once it's dented, it's permanent. Leave a full chip case on it for a few hours & there will be 4 dents in it left by the case bumpers/feet that will never come out. The roll of it I got came "pre-dented" from shipping. Fortunately, it was in a spot that ended up covered by the rail.

I've left a full chip case on an Ensolite padded table overnight. There were 4 minor impressions when I picked the case up that were nearly gone by the end of the day & completely gone by the next weekend's game. It tends to rebound fairly well if just left alone.

Most places tend to (erroneously - including FoamByMail) classify neoprene as a "closed cell" foam. Because neoprene rubber is naturally a closed cell material.

Neoprene FOAM, on the other hand, is actually an open-cell material. It's made by "foaming" the rubber via injection of pressurized nitrogen during the manufacturing process.

Being an open cell material it's not 100% water-proof like closed cell types. It is however more water "resistant" than most other open cell foam types.

 

[StatTracker]

one more question for you, open cell foam, do you know if there is a chance the the foam will break down and not come back to original size?

it will not. i have tried open and closed cell. i far prefer open cell

 

[jbomb1018]

Open cell foams are FAR more forgiving than closed cell types in that regard.

As I stated in an earlier post.....


Most places tend to (erroneously - including FoamByMail) classify neoprene as a "closed cell" foam. Because neoprene rubber is naturally a closed cell material.

Neoprene FOAM, on the other hand, is actually an open-cell material. It's made by "foaming" the rubber via injection of pressurized nitrogen during the manufacturing process.

Being an open cell material it's not 100% water-proof like closed cell types. It is however more water "resistant" than most other open cell foam types.

I did not even know there was a neoprene foam?? Have you seen it or tried this?

 

[jbomb1018]

it will not. i have tried open and closed cell. i far prefer open cell

so you prefer open cell foam over closed cell, can you explain a little more as to why? What about stacking chips, do you notice any issues when they get to high?

 

[Dix]

I did not even know there was a neoprene foam?? Have you seen it or tried this?

You've likely used neoprene foam.... ever used a mousepad? flip it over, that's neoprene foam on the backside, with a fabric covering on top.

Neoprene foam is made by foaming neoprene rubber.

But again, yes..... I have. & now use it exclusively on every table I make.

Which is why I recommended it & that's what Ethan ended up going with.

Like I said back on page one.... I used Volara for the 1st table I ever built (about 15 years ago now). I used neoprene(Ensolite) for the 2nd. When I finished the 2nd one I tore the 1st one apart & replaced the Volara with neoprene.

Here, go back to this post & review the topic thus far... it seems most of your questions have mostly already been answered...

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/where-to-buy-1-4”-open-cell-foam-in-states.63573/post-1279128

 

[StatTracker]

so you prefer open cell foam over closed cell, can you explain a little more as to why? What about stacking chips, do you notice any issues when they get to high?

Closed cell is stiffer and makes it more difficult to work with cards. It would provide more structural stability when compared to open cell but it is minimal. Open cell gives me no clear advantage for stacking chips. I can get up to about 60 without any structures.

 

[jbomb1018]

Closed cell is stiffer and makes it more difficult to work with cards. It would provide more structural stability when compared to open cell but it is minimal. Open cell gives me no clear advantage for stacking chips. I can get up to about 60 without any structures.

Do you use 1/4 inch thickness or something different?

 

[StatTracker]

Do you use 1/4 inch thickness or something different?

Yeah, 1/8 is a bit thin for me, 1/4 was good, 3/8 was good as well, 1/2 was way too squishy.

 

[jbomb1018]

Yeah, 1/8 is a bit thin for me, 1/4 was good, 3/8 was good as well, 1/2 was way too squishy.

I will have to see if i can get my hands on some samples of the gym rubber and 3/8 open cell to try and compare. Been looking for neoprene but cant find it in a big enough sheet to cover a full size table let alone a smaller 8 person table. It is either the length or width that is not big enough.

 

[Dix]

https://www.foambymail.com/GR-_BLACK/gym-rubber-black.html

https://www.foambymail.com/NE-HQ/neoprene-high-quality-foam-sheets.html

 

[jbomb1018]

https://www.foambymail.com/GR-_BLACK/gym-rubber-black.html

https://www.foambymail.com/NE-HQ/neoprene-high-quality-foam-sheets.html

The neoprene is only 80 inches long- Would need to buy another piece to do a full size table. And adding in pieces on the playing surface, is that even recommended?

 

[StatTracker]

The neoprene is only 80 inches long- Would need to buy another piece to do a full size table. And adding in pieces on the playing surface, is that even recommended?

Try to avoid it if possible

 

[Dix]

The neoprene is only 80 inches long- Would need to buy another piece to do a full size table. And adding in pieces on the playing surface, is that even recommended?

If 80" won't work for you then grab the 1/4" Ensolite. The difference isn't really worth fretting over at the same thickness.

80" (6-1/2') would work for a 7' table if 3" at each end is going to be covered by a rail anyway.

 

[jbomb1018]

If 80" won't work for you then grab the 1/4" Ensolite. The difference isn't really worth fretting over at the same thickness.

80" (6-1/2') would work for a 7' table if 3" at each end is going to be covered by a rail anyway.

That is true, I was looking at going thicker possibly this time but will have to see about some samples between the ensolite and neoprene and maybe even open cell to just compare