UBB.threads Forums General Interest Restoration, Conservation, and Maintenance Forum display cabinet materials questions

Hi, a friend of mine who is a furniture maker has offered to make me a free chest of drawers to house my bayonets. Am i right in saying that only untreated maple or cedar ahould be used?
I had planned on lining the bottom of the drawers with 3/4 inch foam covered in silk, does foam contain anything that would be damaging? is there a type of foam that is appropriate if it does or is there anything better to use?
many thanks in advance

Hello
I used "Bunting " they use it to make Quilts

Keep away from foam from petro/chemical or other man made
materials.They release "gases" which can cause chemical attack.
As you are in UK try and get pressed felt sheet.Used by furniture
restorers as padding.Soft enough to "give"
Cheers
Seiler (Yank in UK)

Is this true? I've never heard this before. I have my collection in an old (refinished) china cabinet, are you saying that this can cause damage to my daggers?

The (re)finished wood should be OK. But you want to stay away from foam in a confined space.

Polyurethane foam can gas out for almost 10 years. But polyethelene foam is pretty safe. I have been useing old polyurethane (from the 80s) foam in my presentation cases and never had a problem. But if you use new polyurethane foam in a humid climate you might have a problem.

I've had cloth hats and leather lined helmets on stryofoam heads for years and have never had a problem. This material is the quitessential petrochemical product!
JIm

What about the display cases that some of you guys hang on the walls with the foam in the back, and the dagger pressed in place between the glass and the foan with a cloth covering it?

Chief

I sure wish someone in the know will respond to CHIEF!!

I have been using the wall display cases as he asks about. Mine are made by Custom Display... nicely made and at reasonable prices.

So far I have not had any problems. I do use Ren Wax on all my items.

Someone please comment.

Rod

Yes, please respond.
I am thinking about getting some of these, but I want to make sure it won't hurt anything.

Thanks,

Chief

As Mvogel responed, it depends on the type of foam used. Polyethelene is OK, polyurethane could be bad news. You need to check with the case maker. I personally build cases for some of my collection, but I use stryofoam covered with velvet, and cut recesses for the pieces.

Vern,

Thanks for the reply.
If the mfg of the case can't tell you which he uses, is there any way to tell yourself?

Chief

I don't know. Anyone?

Vern --- Do you wrap the entire styrofoam sheet with velvet or just glue a facing on the front side that shows and holds the items?

Somewhere I think I read that the cap collectors are leary of having the caps touch the styrofoam heads.

Guess what I am asking is.. does styrofoam emit a gas that can be harmful??

Rod

I don't glue it down but the velvet covers just the front with enough to cradle the dagger. The velvet is pinned to the sides of the styrofoam core. I've never had any problems with styrofoam and some of my cases are over 30 years old.

Vern --- I should have done a search for "styrofoam" in the uniforms section. Yes there does seem to be a problem with cloth items including leather cap liners coming in direct contact with styrofoam. Daggers, medals, other metal items are a whole different situation.

Sorry guys to raise a question before I first "searched".

Now I have just one more question. (yes I did do a seach first on this site as well as the total internet .. ha ha). Is polyethelene the same as polyethylene, or is the one letter difference in spelling mean different materials??


Rod

They're the same, just different spellings

Vern --- those cases look fabulous!!!

Tell me ... even though you use only styrofoam, do you put vent holes into your cases to get some air flow?

Rod

No vent holes. They're real easy to make. I get 6 foot maple 1x3 from home depot. Use a router to cut a 1/4" groove 1/4" down for the glass or plexiglass, and a 1/4" groove at the bottom for the backing board. 1/4" fiberboard or plywood works well. Stain or paint as desired. Cut the glass and backing board to handle the size wanted, measure and cut the 45 degree angles on the maple, and glue them around the glass. Cut a piece of styrofoam to fit, cover with velvet, and load the items. Use 4 screws (1 on each side) to hold on the backing board. Done and cost around $8-10 each

Hey guys ----- Are you taking notes??

Thanks Vern


Rod