Jon I talked with Steve from albany foam and they are sending out samples as well as opening a account for me. Here is his direct contact information... He is a very nice guy.......... Check it out folks!

Stephen H. Sparks
Sales Associate
Albany Foam & Supply, Inc.
1355 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204
1-800-235-0888 Ext. 109
1-866-844-3626 Fax

Billy D.

I wish I still lived an hour from Albany, so I could go check it out, (and dig through their scrap bin).

 

Ron G.

I ordered samples of the Balsa Foam as well. It is $5.00 inclueds S/H. here is what the sales rep told me

http://www.americanfoamtech.com

Dear Mr Fuller,
 
Thank you for your interest in our balsa foam.  We do have sample kits available to purchase for only$5.00.  The balsa kit includes a 2"x3"x.5" piece of each density of balsa foam available, 7 lb, 12 lb and 20 lb.  Informational material for working with balsa foam is included as well.  Regular wood carving tools are sufficient for sculpting balsa foam.  Balsa is a corrosive material for metal tools, therefore it is recommended that you wipe down anything metal to avoid rusting.
 
Flora Craft Corp, out of Ludington MI, is our marketing partner for balsa foam.   A letter will be icluded with information to contact Flora Craft if you wish to order balsa foam.
 
If you would like a sample kit of balsa foam, please contact me with your credit card information, and I will be happy to send the kit to you right away.  You can contact me by e-mail or calling 304-497-3000.
 
Thank you,
 
Ronda Edmond   

Jon I talked with Steve from albany foam and they are sending out samples as well as opening a account for me. Here is his direct contact information... He is a very nice guy.......... Check it out folks!

Stephen H. Sparks
Sales Associate
Albany Foam & Supply, Inc.
1355 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204
1-800-235-0888 Ext. 109
1-866-844-3626 Fax

Billy D.

I recieved my samples today............ and Wow! I have never had samples sent to me like this. The are huge blocks 10" x 10" x 4" square. Perfect to be photographed.

The best description of the Eva foam after holding it next to the reticulated foam... is that it is as if polyfoam and reticulated were somehow combined or married so to speak. It is smoother than reticulated taking on the feel of polyfoam yet the rough feeling and open cells as the reticulated foam. Great find Jon! You da man.

Billy D.

That sounds great - thanks for the update, Billy!



Ron G.

Billy, Thanks for the update.  It's great to hear that Albany is so consumer friendly.  I have a question regarding the foam.  What density of the eva dry foam do you think is best suited for puppet building? 

Billy, Thanks for the update.  It's great to hear that Albany is so consumer friendly.  I have a question regarding the foam.  What density of the eva dry foam do you think is best suited for puppet building? 

Jon I'm going to have to get back with you. Although the samples are great this is the only descriptions I got which was written on the side of the foam. I looked up the density information.

Close cell..... Extra Firm
Eva........... I just got one sample and it is a med firmness. I'm going to order it in the 1 " but going to see if I can get in 1/2".... will check out the density.
Ez dry- comes in soft,medium, & firm........... will check on density.

Polyfoam
Mid Foam

1.8/23- soft.......... #1823
1.8/35 - Med......... # 1835
1.8/50 - firm.......... # 1845

Ultra Foam

2.6/35- soft.................. # 2635
2.6/45- med.................. # 2645
2.6/70- firm.................... # 2670
2.5/21 - X/tra Soft.................. #2521

1030- regular polyfoam- medium to soft ........... 1.2/34
1516- regular polyfoam- soft to medium ........... 1.2/34

I am waiting for pricing and decription details..... will update everyone. I have been using the #1030 and #1516 in the past but am eager to try something new.

Billy D.

update: I talked with Steve and he said the Eva and the Ez dry foam had the same density or close to the ultra foam

2.5/25- soft
2.5/35- medium
2.5/45- firm
2.5/65- extra firm ( slightly higher)