If you use your camera equipment during your travels, you risk expensive parts becoming damaged while in transit. One way to safely move equipment between two locations is by packing them in a waterproof case that contains a foam insert.
Pluck Foam Inserts
Pluck foam inserts contain pre-scored marks throughout their surface. A multi-layered design is used to create each set of inserts. Two or three sheets of foam that each contain score marks should remain stacked on top of one another while they are resting inside of a case.
The score marks will allow you to cut out unique shapes that pertain to the shapes of the equipment that is going to be stored inside of a case. Custom shapes will prevent cameras, film, batteries, and other fragile components from moving around.
Inspection
Ester is soft, open-cell foam. Purchase foam inserts that are the same length and width as the base of your case. Make sure that the series of foam sheets will equal the depth measurement of your case.
After purchasing pluck foam, inspect the inserts. You will notice a grid that runs across the surface of the foam. The grid will allow individual cubes of foam to be plucked from each sheet. During the manufacturing of the inserts, a cutting tool is used to slice the top of each foam sheet.
Each cut mark will not prevent foam pieces from remaining intact. This means that if you decide to leave some of the scored foam pieces in their original form, they will remain in place and the only ones that will be missing will be the ones that have been manually plucked.
Preparations
Here are a few steps to take to prepare your equipment for travel:
- Place a stack of foam inserts into the base of your case.
- Set aside a stack of colored toothpicks and a utility knife.
- Gather all of the items that will be stored inside the case.
- Lay the items across the top sheet of foam.
- Decide upon the angle that you would like each item to be set in the foam.
After this, you can space the equipment pieces out, leaving enough foam between them to form a barrier. Use the toothpicks to outline each item, and pluck the foam pieces that will surround the items. Use a utility knife to assist if you have difficulty pulling out some of the foam pieces by hand.
Camera equipment pieces that are short in height will not require you to pull the foam out from the secondary or third foam sheets. Long items, however, may require that you pluck pieces from all three layers. This will guarantee that long items fit snugly within the case's confines.
