Battleform!?!

[watchgeorgerock]

I remember when the first PP bags were announced that you guys were going to have a special trays built for all the casters of each faction. Any progress on this?

[Rynth]

IIRC there isn't a devoted casters tray, but they do have the custom tray creator that could be used to accomplish the same thing.
http://tray.battlefoam.com/tray.html

[The Antipope]

You mean battlefoam. A battleform would, I guess, be something that for example, a Transformer would say before changing into something amazing with lot's of guns.

'It's the Decepticons! Battleform!'

[Lord Sessadore]

You mean battlefoam. A battleform would, I guess, be something that for example, a Transformer would say before changing into something amazing with lot's of guns.

'It's the Decepticons! Battleform!'

When I read the quote at the bottom, I read "Decepticons", but instead I had Optimus in my head saying, "It's the Adepticons! Battleform!"

:S

[GreenJello]

You could make your own, and save enough money to buy another faction.

[PG_UndeadDan]

You could make your own, and save enough money to buy another faction.

This seems to be a refrain among the BF detractors. And so I am moved to ask,

"How do you do it? And if it is so easy why aren't others doing it for cheaper on a mass scale?"

[Sycak]

This seems to be a refrain among the BF detractors. And so I am moved to ask,

"How do you do it? And if it is so easy why aren't others doing it for cheaper on a mass scale?"

I am wondering the same thing. Keep hearing everyone talking about making your own for less, what are you using? I love my BF bag and wouldn't trade it in for some POS DIY bag.....

[Heavygear]

I think what you are hearing is "everyone" making their own foam trays, customized to their specific armies. I know people who have done just that even without the benefit of "laser cutting technology". I seriously doubt people are cobbling together luggage.

Battlefoam did originally say they would make faction specific foam trays. That hasn't really happened for every faction which was the point of the original post.

[fire4effekt]

I am wondering the same thing. Keep hearing everyone talking about making your own for less, what are you using? I love my BF bag and wouldn't trade it in for some POS DIY bag.....

Well see that YOUR problem, i dont DIY POS i make DIY to the best of my abilities, if your best is POS, well then you already know BF's website.

[PG_UndeadDan]

Well see that YOUR problem, i dont DIY POS i make DIY to the best of my abilities, if your best is POS, well then you already know BF's website.

Instead of merely dismissing another poster, why not share your methods and materials? I, for one, would love to know how to make BF quality foam trays in my own house.

[fire4effekt]

Google? Why should i do your work? I have bags, many and 4 Diy boxes. Why should I inform the uninformed masses, when they obviously believe it to be a POS. Also unless you have a laser, you most likely arent getting home made BF trays. You can have quality for a low price, but for a high price you can sometimes get higher quality.

[GreenJello]

This seems to be a refrain among the BF detractors. And so I am moved to ask,

"How do you do it? And if it is so easy why aren't others doing it for cheaper on a mass scale?"

Sorry, my original post in the painting & minis got a lot of "Yeah, it's obvious" comments, so I've stopped attaching directions:

http://privateerpressforums.com/show...-Half-the-Cash!

Honestly, it's fairly simple, and straight forward. A couple of tips for people who haven't done it before. Battlefoam really DOES have a nice product, it's the price that's a serious issue, IMHO. Considering how easy it is to make a bag, I really don't see a reason to pay their markup.

EDIT: FWIW, I do understand trading time for money, but in this case it's 15-20 minutes worth of work avoided for $100 or so dollars.

[PG_UndeadDan]

Google? Why should i do your work?<snip>Why should I inform the uninformed masses, when they obviously believe it to be a POS.

Because sharing of knowledge and effort is how technology and society advances and is why humans aren't still cowering in caves and wearing fur pelts?

[PG_UndeadDan]

Thanks, GreenJello! That's a nice writeup and that's a solid, low cost method for model storage and (non-air) transport.

As to those who cry "obvious!": Don't let others pressure you into keeping your light under a bushel basket.

[whitekong]

The biggest problem I have with do it yourself cases, is that they can be surprisingly expensive. Unless you can get at least some of the pieces for free or nearly so, you can end up spending a lot of money.

I stumbled across a great rolling cooler the other day that would have been the perfect size for some foam I already have, until I found the price tag and noticed it was 60 bucks. This stuff can be surprisingly expensive.

[GreenJello]

The biggest problem I have with do it yourself cases, is that they can be surprisingly expensive. Unless you can get at least some of the pieces for free or nearly so, you can end up spending a lot of money.

This is very true, you should be careful what you spend your money on. In this case, rolling file holders, plastic all around, retractable handle, $22 at Office Depot. Also going to Jo-ann's fabric when they're running a 50% off sale is huge. OTOH, the comparable Battlefoam cases are around $200!

@Undead dan- Thanks, I try. FWIW, I've never flown with these cases, but I suspect they're probably just as good as the battlefoam ones, maybe a bit better, since they have solid plastic sides, instead of the fabric. You would need to make sure that they're fully loaded, and probably use a bungie or something to keep the lid on it.

Oh, and in a lot of cases Wal-Mart gun cases are another really good, cheap, and air ready transport. They'll need a little work for the larger models, but the eggshell is perfect for 28 mm infantry.

[PG_UndeadDan]

@GreenJello - With air travel, I never take chances. I don't trust the TSA personnel or the throwers in baggage. I always carry on my models and I always am hypervigilant during security screenings. A zippered, secure non-DIY case IMHO will raise fewer eyebrows. And also it's designed to fit almost all airline carry-on guidelines. In the long run, a fully stocked, fully customized BF bag is a small expense for models that I have spent countless hours on.

And on the topic of gun cases: At the airport, it is just another way to raise eyebrows. In your car or home, it is an inviting target for theft because most people think gun cases have guns in them.

[watchgeorgerock]

I was hoping romeo would of answered in this threat but instead it turned into... I have no idea. Oh sorry for the typo on Battlefoam... pretty funny. Who wouldnt want battleform.

[Xarian]

I've done Jello's method before, and it works really well for smaller models (up to the size of a typical Heavy warjack). It works pretty poorly for larger stuff, though, e.g. my Arcantrik Field Generator. It's just too difficult to cut through that much foam and keep things nice and tight. Ended up trying various foam cutters, but it just wouldn't work.

I used small fishing tackle boxes to contain the foam. They were the right thickness, and just about the right size for one squad/unit.

Word of advice, though. Many types of foam will degrade significantly on exposure to sunlight (and on room lights too, just less quickly). Notice that the edges of the green foam in Jello's link are kind of yellow/brown? Yeah, that gets worse - a lot worse. As it turns to weird colors, it also gets less dense and more grainy. That's because it's cheap upholstery foam that's supposed to be permanently covered up by a furniture covering. There are other types of foam that are not nearly as bad on light exposure, but they aren't something that you can buy at a typical arts and crafts store (I looked for a long while).

[TheRupert]

I don't understand all the Battlefoam hate on these forums. They might be a little pricey, but in this case, you get what you pay for. The Privateer Press Battlefoam bags (in my opinion of course) are hands down the absolute BEST bags on planet earth. My army is one of my most prized possessions, and I refuse to take a chance or skimp on a product to protect something that I've spent many hundreds of dollars and COUNTLESS hours on. So I want the best. And to me, the best is by FAR Battlefoam.

[GreenJello]

A zippered, secure non-DIY case IMHO will raise fewer eyebrows. And also it's designed to fit almost all airline carry-on guidelines. In the long run, a fully stocked, fully customized BF bag is a small expense for models that I have spent countless hours on.

While the case I'm using won't fit into the carry-on guideline, you could easily buy something that would. This case is $29:

https://www.google.com/products/cata...d=0COoBEPICMAE

And on the topic of gun cases: At the airport, it is just another way to raise eyebrows. In your car or home, it is an inviting target for theft because most people think gun cases have guns in them.

Never had a problem with it, and I've been using gun cases since 88. I also never leave anything in the car, regardless of case, it's a good way to find a bunch of melted plastic models.

Since people travel with guns on planes to various shooting meets I don't see this raising any eyebrows, though they would probably insist you check it.

Word of advice, though. Many types of foam will degrade significantly on exposure to sunlight (and on room lights too, just less quickly). Notice that the edges of the green foam in Jello's link are kind of yellow/brown? Yeah, that gets worse - a lot worse. As it turns to weird colors, it also gets less dense and more grainy. That's because it's cheap upholstery foam that's supposed to be permanently covered up by a furniture covering. There are other types of foam that are not nearly as bad on light exposure, but they aren't something that you can buy at a typical arts and crafts store (I looked for a long while).

I believe that's the wood glue.

I've got some cases I made from old sofa cushions in 02-03 that don't seem to have any issues. Not sure how old the sofa was when it was thrown away, but I'm guessing 10-15 years? So not a problem of foam degrading, or becoming more grainy after 20-25 years.

I do see some slight discoloration over time, but I honestly don't care that much.

[Xarian]

"All the hate" doesn't exist. And the random capital words are obnoxious.

@ Jello -
I'm referring to the green foam that you buy from JoAnn. I have a bunch of green foam bought from JoAnn that's been sitting on a shelf for about 3 years, and it's pretty much completely brown now with a concomitant decrease in flexibility. It's not very soft any more. I should've kept it out of the sun.

[GreenJello]

I don't understand all the Battlefoam hate on these forums. They might be a little pricey, but in this case, you get what you pay for.

No hate here, but I think there's some polite disagreement with your second statement.

I think BF has a nice product, but I can make something better* at home for 1/4 the cost, or I can buy from any of their competitors for 1/2 the price. I think everybody would agree that protecting their army is pretty important, but in this case it's not a matter of scrimping. We're not talking about throwing a bunch of poorly painted models into a shoe box (seen it), or tuperware with a towel (also seen it).

FWIW, I've got hundreds of models, each one of which I've spend several hours painting, that I've protected for decades using exactly the methods I've described. You're welcome to spend any amount of money on BF stuff you want, people also spend hundred pimping their cars, while my Honda gets me to work on time, and with less expense. I think it would be remiss to not mention that there are very viable alternatives to BF available.

* To expand on what I mean by better, lets do a quick comparison:
BF vs Homemade
Smaller Trays (15.5x8.5 vs 15.5x12")
Shorter (14" vs 41")
No Wheels (or $25 for a makeshift solution) vs Built-in Wheels
Cloth Sides vs Hard Plastic
All Designed at once vs Custom Cut as you add to collection.
3-4 weeks for custom vs cut exactly what you need

I'm referring to the green foam that you buy from JoAnn. I have a bunch of green foam bought from JoAnn that's been sitting on a shelf for about 3 years, and it's pretty much completely brown now with a concomitant decrease in flexibility. It's not very soft any more. I should've kept it out of the sun.

Interesting, I usually keep mine in a closet, and the portable file cabinets are sealed against light. I only mentioned the sofa foam because it's the oldest stuff I'm got. The Joann fabric is pretty stiff to begin with, have you tried comparing against stuff in their store?

[TheRupert]

"All the hate" doesn't exist. And the random capital words are obnoxious.

Forum snobs are the BEST.

[jmsetzer]

FWIW, I've got hundreds of models, each one of which I've spend several hours painting, that I've protected for decades using exactly the methods I've described. You're welcome to spend any amount of money on BF stuff you want, people also spend hundred pimping their cars, while my Honda gets me to work on time, and with less expense. I think it would be remiss to not mention that there are very viable alternatives to BF available.

There have been two threads involving Battlefoam in the last couple of days. One was praising Battlefoam for their customer service; this one was inquiring about trays BF said were coming. Both have devolved from the original topics.

This thread wasn't about making your own cases or trays, yet you interjected several times that you could make your own, better and cheaper. I bring this up because doing this kind of off-topic posting leads the threads down a path that ends up being a "we like BF" vs. "we don't like BF." It would be as if, when someone asked when the Legion Gargantuan is being released, someone piped in with "you can make your own, and cheaper, by using a Reaper mini and converting it."

My two cents, not trying to "bag on your bag" but there it is.

[Peg leg Pete]

Oh, and in a lot of cases Wal-Mart gun cases are another really good, cheap, and air ready transport. They'll need a little work for the larger models, but the eggshell is perfect for 28 mm infantry.

this. i've been using gun cases for my stuff since i can't afford the BF bags. the ones i have have eggshell on top and pluck foam on the bottom. i have two pistol cases, and put all the foam of each type into one case: now i have a case for infantry and a case for jacks. the downside is in the transportation. lugging two cases around is a bit cumbersome, and without sleeves it can be annoying to lug tape measures, cards, dice and all the other bits and bobs you need to play the game.

i'm actually on the verge of outgrowing my infantry case, and i am going to try to get some other transport solution so that i don't have to carry three cases with me.

as for raised eyebrows, the ones i use look nearly identical to the branded Games Workshop cases. I've never been given a second look, though i try not to take them into non-game gatherings (on the bus for example).

[GreenJello]

There have been two threads involving Battlefoam in the last couple of days. One was praising Battlefoam for their customer service; this one was inquiring about trays BF said were coming. In both you've interjected that you can "make your own, and better." Neither of these threads asked about making your own cases.

Sorry, dude was looking for the solution to a problem. My solution is to make a new tray, yourself.

[jmsetzer]

Actually, he was looking for news on caster specific trays that BF had mentioned. He didn't say "I have a problem storing my casters, anyone have any solutions?"

That said, if you're trying to be helpful, I can't fault you too much for that.

Koombayah :-)

(probably spelled that wrong :-)

[watchgeorgerock]

I like pie.