seat foam

[john swenson]

wondering what anyone has found for the best replacement seat cushioning. open cell, closed cell etc. i think original max seats use maybe 2'' thick. local upholstery only has foam for chairs,couches. . thanks friends, johnboy va.

[mike d]

Hi John, I used 4" marine foam. More cushion the better. Good luck Mike

[Deedeelin1]

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[john swenson]

deedeeeeee, i'm still the small guy, but the seat foam is original. has pretty much lost all it's cushion. maybe i'll take the mattress off the bed !! j.b.

[guyvapeur]

If and when you get the foam, the best tool I have to carve out the design is an electric meat cutting knife. It is the type that has two serrated blades that slide against each other.

[john swenson]

thanks guy. i'm going to get a sample piece of foam from mcmaster carr. if i'ts the right kind i will order what i need. i'ts closed cell polyurethane foam.

[Deedeelin1]

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[rodp]

You can also use a flapwheel on a 41/2" grinder to shape foam, messy but effective. We cut to size on a vertical bandsaw, trim with electric carving knife and shape with a grinder.

Pity you're over there, we have sheets and sheets of closed cell foam. We keep it for crash mats and soft play we make for the showmen.

[john swenson]

rodp , is that pretty much the same firm foam that comes in a new seat ? not the same as chair or sofa foam, right ? johnboy va.

[rodp]

Yep John, it's the sort that doesn't soak water up. It comes in various weights (hardness), It's what we use for the argo seats and fairground stuff, doesn't absorb water when left out in the rain.
In all honesty, there's only one way to check if you have the correct density for your weight, that is to go to the foam suppliers and actually sit on some.
We have it here up to about 3" thick and you would be more than welcome to some, but in all honesty I can't see shipping making it an economical option.

[john swenson]

thanks, that's o.k. i can get samples from mcmaster carr fairly cheap. i realize the weight is the key. maybe the mud ox max guys can tell me the hardness in the replacement seats they sell. that would work fine. or what hardness,etc. you use for the argos. johnboy va.

[rodp]

Hi, I honestly don't know what the weight is. We buy the pieces they cut off the big blocks when they square them (skins). For our purposes it's ideal as it's always covered in PVC anyway and it's substantially cheaper. To be honest though, I don't like total waste, can't see something go to landfill if it's fit for another purpose and that's the main reason for going to the trouble of trying the converters to see what they have about. It just goes against my principals and although economically, time wise, we would probably be better off just ordering new to size I still use the skins.
As you say, Mudd ox should be able to give you the weight. We just sit on it and go "yep" or "no way".

[john swenson]

thanks rod, mcmaster has 4-5 different firmness ratings. will order 2-3 12''x12'' for a test. only about $ 5 bucks each. will post later which worked best in case anyone else want's to redo theirs. johnboy va.

[rodp]

John, when you sit on it for a try out do yourself a favour and sit and have a coffee for a few minutes. Closed cell foam "creeps" as it warms up and you settle into it, you need to sit there for a couple of minutes at least mate.

[john swenson]

thanks rod , good advice. may seem cushy right at first, but want to make sure after an hour ride i'm still cozy !! johnboy va.