Turbo Express Hard Case Foam Replacement!

[FiftyQuid]

So a while back, a member here by the name of playthegame119 outbid me by $4 on an eBay auction for a TG lot.  I didn't want anything in the lot, except for the Turbo Express hard case.  I already have the TurboGrafx-16 console case, so I really wanted the matching Turbo Express hard case.  Well, I decided to contact playthegame119 and make an offer on the case.  I made what I thought was a fair offer and we both agreed to the deal.

The case arrived and the foam was in pretty rough shape (I had been warned about this prior to sealing the deal).  It wasn't this rough upon arrival, but the photo captures how brittle the foam was.  It was not recoverable.
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So I decided to tear out the remaining foam.  It was just held in with spray glue.  It was a mess, but the hard case came out nice and clean.
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Different types of foam are readily available to me at my place of work.  I was able to source some 1" black plastic foam that was going to be thrown out.
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I took some measurements off the TE hard case, and and made up a quick template.  Then I found dead center and cut a properly sized piece out of the larger piece.  The last photo shows a properly cut piece in the lid of the TE hard case.
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I took a OLFA box cutter knife, and cut out the pattern.  I made sure to round the corners to match the shape of the TE.  Since the foam I had was only 1" thick I had to cut the pattern out twice and then stack the foam on top of each other to bring it up to the 2.5" depth of the base of the TE hard case.  The bottom piece was a little wider than the top piece so I had to make sure to align them correctly.  It was still a little too low so I had to cut one of the 1" pieces of foam in half giving me another .5" inches of foam.  That brought it up to proper height.

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Here's the final product assembled.  I think I'm going to re-cut the .5" bottom.  I sort of just mocked it up with two tiny .5" pieces of foam and I don't like the visible seam. 
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All that's left to do is drop in my NEW TURBO EXPRESS that arrived today from BlueBMW after being recapped!  Check it out!

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Here it is all closed up, and the money shot with it's bigger brother!

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[turbokon]

Nice, I want one!!!

[hoobs88]

Nice job! What is an OLFA box cutter knife? I grabbed some spare foam from work with the intention of making my own Turbo Express case but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

[FiftyQuid]

Nice job! What is an OLFA box cutter knife? I grabbed some spare foam from work with the intention of making my own Turbo Express case but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Thanks!

An OLFA is just a utility knife.  Similar to a box cutter knife but the blade extends much further.  OLFA is just the brand name;

[esteban]

As I noted in the other thread, you will send this TurboExpress case to me, today. He needs to be re-united with his older brother. Thank you.

 

[NecroPhile]

That turned out nice! 

[FiftyQuid]

@esteban - It has already been reunited with it's true big brother.
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FYI, that PC Engine/CD combo won't fit in that case.  

Did you dip that TG-16 case in Turtle Wax or Armour All?  I can barely look at it... The gleam!!!  

[Bernie]

Very nice!  Looks really good man.

[esteban]

@esteban - It has already been reunited with it's true big brother.
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FYI, that PC Engine/CD combo won't fit in that case. 

Did you dip that TG-16 case in Turtle Wax or Armour All?  I can barely look at it... The gleam!!! 

Ha! No ArmourAll (British) was required...I just took the picture when the sun was setting/high contrast.

As for the TurboExpress case—please send it to me now. I don't want to take it from you. Thank you.

[FiftyQuid]

Does anyone have any info on these cases?  Were they rental?  If they were why does it seem like there are hardly any around.  Were they available at retail?  I'm just curious.  Normally rental cases have stickers plastered all over them and juice from whomever rented them.  The only ones I've ever come across were always sticker free. 

I've never seen an old advert or any mention of who made them.  Similar ones are available for the Sega Genesis and Nintendo, not sure about the Super Nintendo.  I've seen similar ones without the logo stamped into them as well.  These are just as uncommon.

What is the history of these hard cases?

[Flare65]

There used to be a used video game store in Chicago that sold the larger TG-16 case back in the mid 90's They had a bunch in stock and only wanted 15 dollars for them.  The place has long since closed.  I bought two of thrm and later sold one on ebay.  All the foam in mine has turned to dust due to age.

Never saw any of these cases used in any sort of video rental stores in my area back then.

[ElSeven]

Does anyone have any info on these cases?  Were they rental?  If they were why does it seem like there are hardly any around.  Were they available at retail?  I'm just curious.  Normally rental cases have stickers plastered all over them and juice from whomever rented them.  The only ones I've ever come across were always sticker free.  

I've never seen an old advert or any mention of who made them.  Similar ones are available for the Sega Genesis and Nintendo, not sure about the Super Nintendo.  I've seen similar ones without the logo stamped into them as well.  These are just as uncommon.

What is the history of these hard cases?

About a year ago I bought a pair of the TG16 hard cases off of a collector whom got them directly from NEC in the 90's.  The two I purchased were still in the nondescript NEC cardboard box from their warehouse.  From my understanding, they are official 1st party.  I don't know where they would have sold these as I don't recall seeing them in the turbo accessory fliers or in retail stores like TRU.

[roflmao]

Very nice!

[esteban]

To corroborate what ElSeven and Flare65 have already said: I have never seen the hardcases mentioned/pictured/referenced officially (or unofficially).

Only in the past few years did I even learn they existed.

They are very nicely constructed, clean and durable.

[FiftyQuid]

To corroborate what ElSeven and Flare65 have already said: I have never seen the hardcases mentioned/pictured/referenced officially (or unofficially).

Only in the past few years did I even learn they existed.

They are very nicely constructed, clean and durable.

Yes, very strong and durable cases.  I just find it odd as they were obviously made by someone other than NEC and never an "official" TurboGrafx licensed product (I think), yet there is no company name on the cases.  The molds for these things weren't cheap so I'm surprised they didn't slap a manufacturers logo on there somewhere.  Maybe the company didn't want to be sued, but if people didn't know who produced them how did they sell them?

Did these cases even come with a system inside them?  Who knows...    Aftermarket product, but such a vague history on them.

[xcrement5x]

Yeah, they look much more specific than all the rental cases I've found.  I've got a couple Saturn and Virtual Boy Blockbuster rental cases, and on the outside they are really plain and only have stickers on them to indicate the contents. 

The classy formed logo suggests they were made pretty specifically, or possibly a partial retool for the front cover only, based on some existing product.  Either way, it looks sweet and nice job on the restoration!

[Duo_R]

That's awesome can you get a good deal on that stuff for members here?

[csgx1]

Nice cases and a great job replacing the foam.  Looks awesome!

[FiftyQuid]

That's awesome can you get a good deal on that stuff for members here?

On the foam?  It's free for me, but the type and colour varies.  Most of the time I get in hardware and it's packed in pink foam or pink plastic foam.  Black like I show in the pictures is harder to find, but I do have some.

The part that kills it is shipping.  Canada to USA would be ridiculous.  Even if I cut it to 8.5 x 11 size before sending.  I could price it out if you are really looking to get some.

[Sparky]

That's as sexy as you fifty! Well done man

[FiftyQuid]

That's as sexy as you fifty! Well done man

Man, if you only knew how often I hear these words.  It's a daily occurrence.   

[Tatsujin]

Viva la Japanese cutters! What would a world be like without them

Btw. well done DennisQuid

[turbokon]

I just recently picked up a case for my pc-engine from dick's sporting good. I wish I can find something like this with a tg16 or pce logo on it.

[FiftyQuid]

I just recently picked up a case for my pc-engine from dick's sporting good. I wish I can find something like this with a tg16 or pce logo on it.

I've never seen one for a PCE.

[Duo_R]

I use a case i bought from Harbour Freight. I just need to get some foam for it. What is the best method for cutting foam without making it look super ghetto?

[syphic]

That looks awesome dude! So Sexy. Quick question for those that have the hardcase for the turbo grafx system. Do they all use foam? Mine doesn't have foam but is molded to fit the system booster controllers and accessories and a few games.

[RoyVegas]

Quick question for those that have the hardcase for the turbo grafx system. Do they all use foam? Mine doesn't have foam but is molded to fit the system booster controllers and accessories and a few games.

No, they do not all have foam.

[Flare65]

I'll have to post mine in here.  It looks the same on the outside but is molded completely different on the inside.

[FiftyQuid]

I'll have to post mine in here.  It looks the same on the outside but is molded completely different on the inside.

Yeah, I don't think mine is like that either.  The mold is different and I don't think it has any labels stamped into it.

I use a case i bought from Harbour Freight. I just need to get some foam for it. What is the best method for cutting foam without making it look super ghetto?

What is Harbour Freight? 

As for the knife, it depends on how steady your hand is.  I just cut it free hand using the knife I showed earlier in the thread.  It's best if you have a bit of patience otherwise don't bother.

[RoyVegas]

What is Harbour Freight? 

A discount tool company: http://www.harborfreight.com/

[EvilEvoIX]

I love those hard cases, makes things feel so official.

[xcrement5x]

What is Harbour Freight? 

A discount tool company: http://www.harborfreight.com/

China's finest!

But seriously, the stuff there is so frickin cheap.  Good if you're not a contractor and just want tools to do a specific job around the house.  At $20 for a reciprocating saw you can go through several and still be ahead costwise over the long run (mine has lasted like 4 years already for all manner of stupid stuff). 

[RoyVegas]

At $20 for a reciprocating saw you can go through several and still be ahead costwise over the long run (mine has lasted like 4 years already for all manner of stupid stuff). 

I'd rather not chance it anymore. I've bought stuff from Harbor Freight and had it break on the first use a couple times. I'd rather pay a little more and know when I need to use the tool,that it will actually work.

[xcrement5x]

At $20 for a reciprocating saw you can go through several and still be ahead costwise over the long run (mine has lasted like 4 years already for all manner of stupid stuff). 

I'd rather not chance it anymore. I've bought stuff from Harbor Freight and had it break on the first use a couple times. I'd rather pay a little more and know when I need to use the tool,that it will actually work.

Very true, it is a gamble sometimes.  I have the generic Dremel and that thing didn't last very long, but other stuff (and simple things like vises and other components) have done okay by me.  I just make sure I go into any purchase knowing that it might not last very long and I never feel bitter ;)

[FiftyQuid]

Nothing like buying a quality $20 reciprocating saw or dremel and have the blades snap off during their first use blinding you forever! But hey!  I saved $100! 

[turboswimbz]

I use a case i bought from Harbour Freight. I just need to get some foam for it. What is the best method for cutting foam without making it look super ghetto?

There are three ways I know of

1) The method shown here a cheap and durable drywall knife - > The easiest IMO for this small job.

2) Electric kitchen carving knife (non-serrated) - > if you can find a way to mount it you'll essentially have option 3, you'll need a steady hand.

3) They make upholstery foam saws - kind of like a jigsaw - > at 3-6 hundred though this prob. isn't very likely


Also - Awesome job, FQ, that looks great!

[xcrement5x]

Nothing like buying a quality $20 reciprocating saw or dremel and have the blades snap off during their first use blinding you forever! But hey!  I saved $100! 

Using power tools without proper safety gear is a whole other level of stupid I won't even get into.  Like I said, it's anyone's choice as to whether or not they want to buy the stuff, but the prices are low for a reason.

[RoyVegas]

Still hoping to see a couple pics of the other interior versions that people have..

[hoobs88]

Still hoping to see a couple pics of the other interior versions that people have..

I'll try to photograph mine over Labor Day Weekend and post them.