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#1 TantumBull

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 05:54 PM

Okay, so I have been bugged by not knowing what FBR is the best, and where to get colored FBR, and what not. Thus I decided to make this directory for people who need to know what foam to get. This should also help cut down on all those "What foam should I buy?" threads.This directory is sorted by color. Feel free to post where you get your FBR, and I will update it as soon as possible (could be as long as a day or two). Available quantities will also be included. If an admin wants to move this (or sticky it) please do so. Here we go...

Edit: If you want me to add stefan sizes/ new brands/ whatever, then give me links! I personally don't have the time to find every type of foam you guys suggest AND format it into this directory. The foam also must be able to be purchased online.

Black

---Best Materials Foam---
Fits: Tight in PETG
Price: 10 cents/foot, 36.95 for 800', 71.95 for 2500'
Squishyness: Squishy

---DKHardware Foam---
Fits: N/A
Price: 19.10 for 100'
Squishyness: N/A

---Partsmaster Foam---
Fits: N/A
Price: 14.95 for 100'
Squishyness: N/A

Grey

---McMaster-Carr Foam---
Fits: tight in 17/32" brass
Price: 4.45 for 20', 35.92 for 250'
Squishyness: Very squishy

---Ace "MEGA" (5/8'') and 1/2' Foam---
Fits: Mega (N/A), Micro (perfect tight in CPVC)
Price: Mega (6.99 for 20'), Micro (6.49 for 20')
Squishyness: N/A

Red

---Mod Man Ebay Foam--- (Currently unavailable on ebay)
Fits: PERFECT air gun fit in PETG (as loose as possible without sliding down barrel)
Price: 6.00 for 20'
Squishyness: squishy / very squishy

---mrcrouse1 Foam---
Fits: perfect tight in 17/32" brass
Price: .25-.20 per foot
Squishyness: not very

New!---Cera Rod Foam---
Fits: N/A
Price: 437.5 for 1250' (BULK!), NB: I'm fairly certain you must call or email them to place an order
Squishyness: N/A

White

---Log Home Store Foam---
Fits: VERY inconsistent, anywhere form tight in PETG to tight in 19/32" brass
Price: 2.95 for 10'
Squishyness: N/A

---SwiftTNerF's Foam---
Fits: perfect tight in CPVC, others (including Swift) say it works well in PETG for airguns, mine didn't
Price: .27-.20 per foot
Squishyness: not very, will return to original shape if slightly compressed

Edited by TantumBull, 17 April 2009 - 05:53 PM.

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#2 Blue

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 06:05 PM

Mongo staefan foam?
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#3 jackster57

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 06:14 PM

I would write what barrel it fits in best. That has a lot of confusion too. Also MD foam is grey. And so is frost king. I would add those two brands. They both only fit in 17/32 and CPVC.
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#4 TantumBull

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 06:18 PM

If you want me to add stefan sizes/ new brands/ whatever, then give me links! I personally don't have the time to find every type of foam you guys suggest AND format it into this directory. This isn't directed at you only, Jackster.

jackster: If you had read the intro, you would know that I may get around to that later. I might add that this weekend.

Edited by TantumBull, 16 October 2008 - 06:23 PM.

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#5 rippen11

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 06:19 PM

Lowes foam (I don't remember the name brand) comes in 20 foot sections and is gray, just trying to help.
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#6 KevinFunny

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 06:19 PM

I would write what barrel it fits in best. That has a lot of confusion too. Also MD foam is grey. And so is frost king. I would add those two brands. They both only fit in 17/32 and CPVC.

I have to disagree. Frost King foam fits in everything, Tight in CPVC, a bit loose in PETG, perfect fit in 17/32 brass, a bit tight in 9/16.
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#7 TantumBull

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 06:21 PM

I have to disagree. Frost King foam fits in everything, Tight in CPVC, a bit loose in PETG, perfect fit in 17/32 brass, a bit tight in 9/16.


For reasons similar to that, I may not end up adding what the foam fits in. It just gets too complicated with heating and stretching.

Rippen: I'll make an edit, I forgot to mention in the original post that you must be able to purchase the foam online, and then you have to give me a link.

Edited by TantumBull, 16 October 2008 - 06:22 PM.

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#8 jackster57

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 06:25 PM

I would write what barrel it fits in best. That has a lot of confusion too. Also MD foam is grey. And so is frost king. I would add those two brands. They both only fit in 17/32 and CPVC.

I have to disagree. Frost King foam fits in everything, Tight in CPVC, a bit loose in PETG, perfect fit in 17/32 brass, a bit tight in 9/16.


That makes 0% sense. How can something be tight in 17/32 , Loose in PETG and Tight in 9/16?? Also I have found that no matter what I do I cant make frost king bigger than 17/32. How can it fit in all 3? Thats an a 3/16 of an inch span... Also frost king is horribly inconsistent. I just use McMaster FBR. Perfect in 17/32
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#9 Wes7143

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 06:45 PM

It's frost king: what do you expect. I was at lowes the other day and brought a bit of PETG with me. A couple of the bags were open so I tested if it fit. It was horribly inconsistant! However, I picked the one that fit the PETG the best, and I am happy with it.
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#10 Mod Man

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 07:48 PM

Hey Tbull, Good job on putting together a post on where and in what increments foam for dartsmithing can be found. I’d like to make a correction right from the get go that I will sell the red foam I have in any length the customer wants. I also discount based on quantity needed, so if anyone is interested give me a pm and I will see what I can do for you. Ok, that’s enough advertisement for my gig…
When this post starts to take the wrong direction in my mind is when we try to assess the fit in the many different types of barrel material. Through our pm’s last nite I realized that there’s a idea going around that foam manufacturers produce foam in one consistent size and that’s just not the way it runs in reality. I believe and correct me if I’m wrong that the manufacturers tolerances for the foams intended use isn’t as critical as our needs dictate. Hence you have the same brand of foam in several different diameters. I’m not exactly sure on the production process but I think it is an extruded product in which many variables such as chemical composition, temp, humidity, cooling rate and many others play a significant role in the final diameter of the foam. I know by my experience that diameter sizes can and do change from spool (1250ft.) to spool. Even within the spool itself the diameter changes and isn’t constant. Tension when wound in the production process I believe plays a large role in this inconsistency. I also have found the same to be true in 20ft. Bags sold at your local hardware or big box. So when judging what type of foam has the best fit for a said barrel diameter it all depends on what sample you have.
So this brings me to foam consistency, this can be judged I feel since in my experience I have found that the density of the foam stay pretty consistent. However, just like anything else there are occasions where same sample brands do change slightly. I haven’t seen this mentioned very much but in my findings foam that is heat resistant tends to be a firmer foam with good memory and durability. The foams that are used as caulk savers, window insulation do not fit this criterion. The foams I write of are used mainly in the concrete and paving industry.
So what does Joe (plumber) Nerfer do in this hit or miss world of dartsmithing. It’s been said many times. Take your barrel material to the supplier (store) with you. I use a small tube with 2 inches of 17/32nd’s soldered to a 2 inches of 9/16th’s to test all sorts of things from foam to washers, o-rings, cpvc, pvc, etc. As far as online suppliers ask the seller what type of samples are available. Most sellers when you are buying quantity will work with you to make it happen. When you find the foam that fits buy it, as much as you think you will need for a while.
Another idea is to use brass 9/16th’s as barrel material and have a 2nd barrel of 17/32nd’s to choke the barrel down if necessary. Constriction rings, barrel dipping, etc. are all ways to help get that fit we need. I hope this helps and feel free to pm me with any questions you have about this rant. Thanks NH for being the most informative nerf site on the web. Peter aka Mod Man

Sorry I rambled on….
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#11 TantumBull

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 07:52 PM

Mod Man: Thanks, I'll edit it right now.
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#12 AssassinNF

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 07:57 PM

Frost King is shit.
Posted Image
That's after lightly rolling a piece between two fingers.

It's fucking flimsy, not to mention the batch I got is way too big for 17/32" Brass, and doesn't fit well in much of anything. I'm sticking with LogHomeStore and McMaster Foam.

EDiT: Damn that's a shitty picture. I guess my stone-age camera has a few focus-problems.

Edited by AssassinNF, 16 October 2008 - 07:58 PM.

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Probably dead by now, or something.


#13 TantumBull

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 08:00 PM

I'm sticking with LogHomeStore...


I've heard their FBR is really thick in diameter. Could you describe it's fit, once heated, in 9/16" brass.
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#14 Split

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 08:16 PM

You have to twist it in after it being heated. It's a good fit. It's like turning petg and 9/16ths into cpvc when you use it. Unheated and streched, it's perfect for clips into 9/16ths (angel breech).
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Teehee.

#15 AssassinNF

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 08:22 PM

I'm sticking with LogHomeStore...


I've heard their FBR is really thick in diameter. Could you describe it's fit, once heated, in 9/16" brass.


Posted Image
Posted Image

SCH40 PVC - very loose
17/32 - tight
SCH80 PVC - perfect
9/16 - perfect
CPVC - way too tight

Posted Image

Thickwall PETG - good
Mediumwall PETG - loose

This foam was bought almost a year ago. I don't know how their foam is now, and I've heard from several members that its diameter is inconsistant. When I get some cash, I'm going to buy some more to see if it's different.
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Probably dead by now, or something.


#16 TantumBull

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 08:30 PM

Alright, Split and AssassinNF, thanks a bunch for clearing that up. I think I'll order some. If I get a way too thick batch, then I'll just use it for silencing or something.
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#17 bobafan

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 08:41 PM

My understanding of how fbr is made (and I'm sure I will be corrected in a bit) is somewhat similar to the bubble column made on a mythbusters episode. video The diffrences are that instead of methane, nitrogen or another cheap mostly harmless gas is used. Also, instead of the bucket and soap, some type of heated container with plastic. The top of the container has some type of circular extruding die which forms the shape of the foam. After extrusion, I imagine it has some sort of process to cool, but I don't know.
Half of this is guessed, and half is from a brief explanation I read once. I don't really know for certain.
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#18 Salmon

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 08:49 PM

I bought 800 feet of the Best Materials black foam, and when heated, here's how it fits in various barrel materials:

PETG(it's Mod Man's, same ID as OMC's, though, I think)- snug, almost tight
9/16 brass- very good fit, snug, not too tight
17/32 brass- WAAAAAY to tight, can't even twist it in
CPVC- if you really TRY, you can get it in by twisting

I prefer PETG, myself. I plan on ordering some from OMC.
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#19 Split

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 08:51 PM

It's funny that we (me and xeo) just ordered the last of the log home store stuff. They apparently get it from their supplier every week.
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Teehee.

#20 Watari

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 09:28 PM

Finding the Right Foam
links to online stores that sell FBR would be good here

From the "Dart-smithing tips" thread.
EDIT:
I just wanted to inform you (yeah I do need to be ALOT clearer on my posts) that you probably should just tell Langely about this,
so that he could edit his post. Anyways, I can't use this thread because I can't buy stuff online.
Otherwise, here's some "useful" information:
Ace "Mega" (5/8'') foam
Ace foam is very consistent, dense and better than Lowe's foam overall, as I've experienced.
It's just my local ACE is closing, the store had 60% off all ACE foam, and I bought all of it...
so I can't really buy anymore for awhile.
I know they sell 1/2'' foam, I just can't find it.

Oh and experiences with ACE/Lowe's foam:
---Lowes:
-Heated once:
9/16 Brass = Loose, falls through
17/32 Brass = Tight, can be twisted in
CPVC = Tight, can be twisted in
-Double Heated:
9/16 Brass = Snug, Probably can be pushed in
17/32 Brass = Even tighter, but you can still use it
CPVC = Tight, can be twisted in

--ACE:
-Heated once:
9/16 Brass = Loose, falls through
17/32 Brass = Can be pushed in, "perfect" (even though nothing is)
CPVC = Can be twisted/somewhat pushed in
EDIT #2:
I can't buy anything online 'cause my dad doesn't want me too, I think he says that because he forgot his password on paypal...
but he has only bought 1 thing online before and he prefers buying stuff at stores because you don't have to wait for it/pay for shipping.

Edited by Watari, 16 October 2008 - 10:10 PM.

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#21 TantumBull

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Posted 16 October 2008 - 10:04 PM

Finding the Right Foam
links to online stores that sell FBR would be good here

From the "Dart-smithing tips" thread.


You know what, Watari, fuck you. I don't really care, it isn't that big of a deal. It is a useful topic and way more people are going to see it because not huge percentage of people on this forum check the "dart smithing tips" thread regularly. I'm really tired of people like you having to find the smallest reason of why a thread shouldn't exist. Fucking stop.

Edit: If anyone else has nothing useful to add, then don't add anything. Oh and Watari I have nothing against you personally, I just hate it when people pull crap like that.

2nd Edit: Yeah, sorry man. I did kind of assume too much, something that's easy to do on the internet. My response was really uncalled for. I just get kinda mad when people do that (which you didn't do, I assumed too much), and I chose to vent it on you. My bad, no hard feelings. How come you can't buy stuff online?

Finding the Right Foam
links to online stores that sell FBR would be good here

From the "Dart-smithing tips" thread.
EDIT:
I just wanted to inform you (yeah I do need to be ALOT clearer on my posts) that you probably should just tell Langely about this, so that he could edit his post. Anyways, I can't use this thread because I can't buy stuff online.

Otherwise, here's some "useful" information:
Ace "Mega" (5/8'') foam
Ace foam is very consistent, dense and better than Lowe's foam, as I've experienced.
It's just my local ACE is closing, the store had 60% off all ACE foam, and I bought all of it...
so I can't really buy anymore for awhile. I know they sell 1/2'' foam, I just can't find it.

EDIT #2:
I can't buy anything online 'cause my dad doesn't want me too, I think he says that because he forgot his password on paypal...but he has only bought 1 thing online before and he prefers buying stuff at stores because you don't have to wait for it/pay for shipping.


Finally a reply to this thread that I was looking for! Thank you. It will be added.

Edited by TantumBull, 16 October 2008 - 09:56 PM.

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#22 badger

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Posted 17 October 2008 - 12:55 AM

My suggestion for this thread is that you should have added all of this information to the Langley's pinned thread instead of opening a new one. I have nothing against the thread itself, but you state that not a large percentage of people look at the Dartsmithing Tips thread, but if you had posted this information in that thread, people would be looking at it more often.

Just because a thread is inactive is not a reason to start another thread just like it. eventually, this one shall be inactive as well, but Langley's will never fall off the first page, so it will always be there for people to access, while yours will eventually retreat to the back pages, to be the victim of a necro in the future and a series of flames of that user.

More on the topic though, it is hard to definitively say which foam will work in which barrels as it is also dependent on the user's dart craftmanship skills, what methods he uses, and the quality of the foam itself, excluding Frost King from the quality debate as it truly is the worst. Batches of foam can have different characteristics, making a solid account of each foam's quality not so solid.

Just post this information to the pinned topic instead of creating a new thread.
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#23 Guest_fadinglight4_*

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Posted 17 October 2008 - 06:15 AM

Nice. This really helps me find any type of FBR I am looking for.
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#24 TantumBull

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Posted 17 October 2008 - 05:06 PM

My suggestion for this thread is that you should have added all of this information to the Langley's pinned thread instead of opening a new one. I have nothing against the thread itself, but you state that not a large percentage of people look at the Dartsmithing Tips thread, but if you had posted this information in that thread, people would be looking at it more often.

Just because a thread is inactive is not a reason to start another thread just like it. eventually, this one shall be inactive as well, but Langley's will never fall off the first page, so it will always be there for people to access, while yours will eventually retreat to the back pages, to be the victim of a necro in the future and a series of flames of that user.

More on the topic though, it is hard to definitively say which foam will work in which barrels as it is also dependent on the user's dart craftmanship skills, what methods he uses, and the quality of the foam itself, excluding Frost King from the quality debate as it truly is the worst. Batches of foam can have different characteristics, making a solid account of each foam's quality not so solid.

Just post this information to the pinned topic instead of creating a new thread.


To tell you the truth, when I started this thread I completely forgot about that part of the dartsmithing thread.
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#25 mind13

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Posted 18 October 2008 - 12:59 PM

Great job. I personally use black Log Home closed cell and it fits in the barrels of most of the stock N-Strike barrels.

Edited by mind13, 20 October 2008 - 05:55 AM.

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