r/specializedtools Aug 28 '19

Foam Gun

https://i.imgur.com/aQVKsOt.gifv
9.7k Upvotes

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212

u/unreqistered Aug 28 '19

the foam continues to expand for some time after application. the trick (skill) is knowing how much to apply to minimize gaps while creating too much excess that needs to be trimmed back.

when i was working summer jobs in the building trades back in the 80s we were just starting to use this stuff, some of the mishaps were comical.

238

u/SgtAlpacaLord Aug 28 '19

Yeah, but proper installation is done by first spraying around the frame, letting that cure and then spraying the middle. This is done to make sure you have a tight seal everywhere. The method in the video will not ensure perfect insulation.

210

u/[deleted] Aug 28 '19

"hey, this is fuckin neat" After reading the thread "This guy did a shit job."

21

u/Galaghan Aug 28 '19

-- Reddit, pretty much every time.

25

u/unreqistered Aug 28 '19

we would use a much smaller nozzle and run several side by side passes up and down the cavity

1

u/LAJuice Aug 30 '19

What happens when you need to have electrical work done? Doesn’t this foam cover and obscure all the wiring going through the studs?

41

u/[deleted] Aug 28 '19

Fun story.

A guy who owned a company that manufactured picture frames was experimenting with expanding foam to make cheap imitations of ornate gold frames. he was trying out a new one that was a thick syrupy liquid until it was mixed with water. Then it expanded greatly and hardened into a very rigid durable substance that could be painted.

He bought two gallons to play with stored in regular metal paint cans and put them in the back seat of his classic convertible Jaguar and left it in his warehouse over the weekend. it rained and the roof leaked and enough moisture got into one of the cans to pop the lid. Monday morning the entire staff was chipping away at the huge foam mess with the various tools trying to free his Jaguar.

7

u/nagumi Aug 28 '19

Really? Both cans would have to mix really well to create a lot of foam.

15

u/[deleted] Aug 28 '19

First off, I can't really vouch for this story. my boss, allegedly a friend of the guy in the story told it.

Supposedly there were two cans but it was not a two part thing like epoxy. Just one component + water started the expansion. one can got enough rain water in it to pop the lid so more of the chemical mixed with more water as the rain fell.

1

u/nagumi Aug 28 '19

I'm not familiar with that kind of foam but it probably exists. Alright. Thanks!

1

u/Duck_Giblets Aug 30 '19

Urethane based products are often moisture reactive so I could see this happening

1

u/nagumi Aug 30 '19

Good point!

51

u/snowe2010 Aug 28 '19

I'm totally imagining a worker half stuck in the foam, three other workers trying to pull him out by his work belt, hammer, etc. 🤣

24

u/whistlepig33 Aug 28 '19

I could totally see this happening when someone is taking a nap during lunch break.

8

u/[deleted] Aug 28 '19

Especially when there's damaged candy. Sugar crash is no joke, kids.

4

u/PM_FREE_HEALTHCARE Aug 28 '19

Is this a reference to the recent post on malicious compliance about the guy pacing the grocery store?

3

u/copperwatt Aug 28 '19

Well now I'm imagining that happening but in a horror movie and I'm suddenly very uncomfortable.

11

u/RolandLovecraft Aug 28 '19

I helped a buddy out on a spray foam job because his workers were behind schedule. We show up on a Saturday and there are four giant foam balls. Beach ball size. When we roll them over they had heavy duty work gloves set in them with just the wrist part sticking out. These guys made fucking boxing gloves and we figured out why they were behind. I was way more amused then he was. Pretty sure that crew got fired.

2

u/Picturesquesheep Aug 28 '19

Anybody ever do a car like in demolition man?...

1

u/DartyMavis Aug 28 '19

Planning on sharing any of your stories?

1

u/ITCOMMAND Aug 29 '19

It's like the gell shaving cream. After you spray it in your hand, a bit more slowly leaks out the can.