# Where do you buy foam rubber? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 26, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804 "2005-01-26T19:27:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/1 "2005-01-26T19:27:10Z")
I want to repair an instrument case I have, and I need a block of foam rubber that’s about 35x10x5 inches. I wanted to get something similar to what they have in those nice custom camera cases and the like. But I can’t figure out who sells that kind of thing. I tried a few arts & crafts stores; they had foam rubber, but not in the size or density I’m looking for. What kind of a retail store would have that sort of thing, or do you have to order that specially from a manufacturer? Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/2 "2005-01-26T19:31:04Z")
How about a shop that sells stuff for re-upholstering furniture. I am sure they would sell foam rubber for chair seats. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/3 "2005-01-26T19:33:51Z")
Check with fabric stores. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/4 "2005-01-26T19:34:23Z")
Fabric stores like Joanne, Northwest or Hancock usually carry big thick sheets of foam for pillow or cushionmaking. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/5 "2005-01-26T19:35:38Z")
What they said. Also, I’ve been in Army/Navy surplus stores that sell it. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/6 "2005-01-26T19:52:08Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Fabric stores like Joanne, Northwest or Hancock usually carry big thick sheets of foam for pillow or cushionmaking. Thanks. I tried Joanne’s, but they only seemed to have rolls of it about an inch thick. I want that thick stuff that you can line the case with and then cut out the shape of the instrument in it. I think there’s another Joanne’s nearby, maybe I’ll try them as well. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/7 "2005-01-26T19:59:10Z")
I Googled “Foam Rubber Minneapolis” and found 17 suppliers in my neighborhood. I’m not sure if I ever knew where you hailed from **Blowero** , but give that a try. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/8 "2005-01-26T20:03:12Z")
I think I found it! I tried “Upholstery Fabrics - Retail” in the Yellow Pages, and there’s a place that says “Foam for mattresses, cushions, and camera cases”. Woo hoo! I’m gonna try them later today. Thanks, Rayne Man and others for the suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/9 "2005-01-26T20:05:43Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > Thanks. I tried Joanne’s, but they only seemed to have rolls of it about an inch thick… probably depends on store size. I’ve seen 6" thick foam at the stores I mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/10 "2005-01-26T20:33:37Z")
Here in Seattle, there are at least 6 entries in the phone book under foam rubber. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/11 "2005-01-26T21:32:36Z")
Try they guys - they’re in San Francisco, but do mail-order: [www.foamorder.com](http://www.foamorder.com) ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/12 "2005-01-26T22:57:26Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > Here in Seattle, there are at least 6 entries in the phone book under foam rubber. Yep. I got some of that egg-crate stuff custom cut to fit into my windows in the back room for insulation (they’re single pane) and light control (front projection home theater). My wife previously got a big bed wedge from them. I’d be surprised if you didn’t have similar retailers in your area. ---
**Author:** ![justwannano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ab992/32.png) [@justwannano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justwannano)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/13 "2005-01-26T23:07:04Z")
See if you can find another Joannes. I bought enough to do the seats on a golf cart late this fall. FWIW I noticed some more at another Joannes store in Iowa City. ---
**Author:** ![galt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@galt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galt)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/14 "2005-01-27T01:06:45Z")
If you happen to be in the SF bay area, there is, no kidding, a store in Palo Alto called “House of Foam”. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-buy-foam-rubber/286804/15 "2005-01-27T02:06:22Z")
Foam rubber is a very rare item these days. You are probably looking for Urethane Rubber with has replaced it. Besides being a “technical asshole” about this, I think it may help you in hunting for suppliers. Foam rubber is the natural product which is more expensive, but also oxidates much faster (turns into a powdery dust). Some suppliers probably encourage the term “foam rubber” but are really talking about urethane rubber. Good luck.