Cheap easy light coal loads

[mickey4479]

Thanks fo the tips.  I will try it soon.

[Buckeye Riveter]

A CTT Magazine article in the making. 

[Bubba]

WOW thanks for the great idea

[laz 57]

Nice JIM,

   I used the spongy type foam and used the real coal(lots of it here in the coal region of Pa.),

used the same technique with white glue then took spray paint and gave one good coal.  Well done JIM.

laz57

The spongy type of foam works great because you don't have to be exact when cutting it. Too big will squeeze in to a hopper without a problem.

Jim 

 

No mess either when cutting it.

laz57

[Jumijo]

Nice JIM,

   I used the spongy type foam and used the real coal(lots of it here in the coal region of Pa.),

used the same technique with white glue then took spray paint and gave one good coal.  Well done JIM.

laz57

The spongy type of foam works great because you don't have to be exact when cutting it. Too big will squeeze in to a hopper without a problem.

Jim 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

It was messy, but I wiped the loads down with a damp cloth and it removed the particles.  A hot knife would cut with less mess, but I wonder if it would give the same irregular texture?

Jim

[bfskinner]

Sturgeon-Phish,

Thanks for the prompt reply. Did you experience any difficulty getting rid of the zillions of electro-statically charged "snow" that seems to cling to everything? Would a hot-wire knife reduce of eliminate this problem?

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Very nice indeed, and the light weight would be most welcome. What did you use to cut/taper the styrofoam?

I used a cheap serrated knife to cut to size and initial taper then back drag the blade to add texture.

Jim

[underworld]

Nice work!!!

underworld

[laz 57]

Nice JIM,

   I used the spongy type foam and used the real coal(lots of it here in the coal region of Pa.),

used the same technique with white glue then took spray paint and gave one good coal.  Well done JIM.

laz57

[bfskinner]

Very nice indeed, and the light weight would be most welcome. What did you use to cut/taper the styrofoam?

[jimhaleyscomet]

Nice idea, I am going to try it!!!!!

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Here are some pics of coal loads I made from packing foam. 

1. Just cut to size
2. taper side and ends
3. paint with acrylic paint
4. add aquirium filter charcoal if desired with wet white glue or while paint still wet

Jim