Many people assume you need brand-new tools or a storage unit for shadow foaming. However, custom tool foam works for all tools and tool boxes, old or new.
If anything, we recommend it. By designing foam inserts around your existing collection, you avoid unnecessary new purchases while gaining all the benefits of professional tool control.
Why Shadow Foaming® Existing Tools Makes Sense
Getting shadow foam insets for existing tools makes sense because:
- They help you maximise the use of tools you already own.
- They help you save time by boosting tool control.
- They make missing tools instantly visible.
- They work with any shape, brand, or age of tool.
- They help improve the tool’s lifespan.
Something worth noting is that they pay for themselves. The average tradesperson wastes almost 38 hours per year (nearly a full work week) just looking for tools. Shadow foam, however, reduces this massively.
Case Study: Rusty’s Mobile Bike Service Kit
Rusty’s Bikeshop came to us with a question. They loved their tools of mix wrenches, screwdrivers, and gadgets they’ve collected over the years. However, they didn’t want to buy new tools or a mobile storage unit, as they said off-the-shelf solutions didn’t fit their needs.
Due to the shadow foam inserts being completely bespoke, we were able to develop a solution. This mobile toolkit foam solution we developed perfectly fitted in their already-owned case and snugly fit all of their existing tools, even the awkwardly-shaped ones.
The Tools
Rusty’s kit contains a mix of generic and cycling-specific tools. This included everything from wrenches to pliers, hex and Torx key sets, shock pumps, screwdrivers, etc. They were of mixed brands, sizes, and shapes.
There was no way Rusty could find an off-the-shelf shadow foam solution that’d work for him. With the number of different tools required for the shadow foaming, it would be too difficult. Luckily, our shadow foaming is completely bespoke, and we were able to work around this.
The Case
For Rusty’s mobile bike shop, he had a Nanuk 985 wheeled hard case. This is a large, rugged case. You can get inserts for these cases; however, not bespoke options. That’s why we developed custom Nanuk tool case foam just for this project.
Benefits of Shadow Foaming® Existing Tools
Everybody can benefit from adding shadow foaming to their existing tools and storage units.
Using such foam can:
- Protect your tools
- Improve your workflow
- Enhance tool control
- Offer a professional presentation
- Be CNC-cut to fit any tool or storage unit
The list goes on and on. Even better, you can do all of this without purchasing new tools or a storage unit.
How Red Box Tools Creates Custom Shadow Foam for Existing Tools
Developing our customer CNC-cut foam inserts takes around five steps:
Step 1: Tool Assessment
The process begins with an assessment of the customer’s tools. You also tell us your requirements, for example, whether you need mobile toolkit foam or foam for specific fragile items, etc.
Step 2: Case & Layout
Next, we look at the storage box. In the case of Rusty’s project, his storage unit was the Nanuk 985 wheel case. For this step, we just needed the interior measurements.
Once we know the tools and case that’ll be used for the shadow foaming, we design a custom layout with the customer’s requirements in mind. The customer will need to confirm the layout before proceeding to the following step.
Step 3: Scanning and Measurement
With the layout decided, each tool is digitally scanned or traced to get its exact measurements. Common tools can be scanned and traced without you having to send in the tool as well, for example, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc.
Step 4: CNC Cutting
Now that the measurements are complete, we can cut the foam. This is done with precision CNC routing. Using such machinery allows us to cut the foam to millimetre accuracy to ensure your tools fit snugly.
Step 5: Delivery
All that’s left to do now is to get your shadow foaming back home to you. We’ll deliver it, and it’ll fit directly into your case and hold your tools securely.
Get Your Tools Shadow Foamed
If you have a toolbox and tools you already love, don’t get new ones just to get shadow foaming. Tool organisation foam is for everyone, regardless of whether you have new equipment or not. To transform your current toolkit, feel free to contact us at Red Box Foam today.
