Precision Board vs Corafoam??

[scottbot]

Hi All,
I've never used Corafoam before but am finding Precision Board to more trouble than it's worth. I really like Precision Board but it took me a week to get a price quote and it's going to take another 2 weeks to get some shipped. The price is pretty rich too.

I just received some samples of Corafoam and some pricing too. It's a good deal less expensive than Precision Board and the dealer has it in stock too.

Have any of you used both? How did the Corafoam perform compared to the Precision Board?
The samples I received look and feel every bit as good as the Precision Board. I haven't cut them yet but plan to this weekend.

I'd appreciate your insight and obsevations on this.

Thanks in advance.

Scott

[joe]

You're a lucky fellow to have a Duna supply house. It's far superior to Precision Board. I used PB for years before I found Corofoam. I could go on for ever about the difference but it's enough said to say you're on the right track.

J.

[joewino]

MY experience is the same as Joe's. I've used Precision Board for years but found it to be very gritty and more difficult to finish, at least in the lower densities. Their newer products have improved over what I used years ago.

Several years ago I started using Corafoam by Duna, USA and really liked it. It was much smoother and more dense than the other brands of HDU. When cutting it produces chips rather than dust. It is much easier to paint and produces a smoother finish.

One of the problems is finding distributors. The one I used has quit stocking it because they said I was the only one buying it, which was not exactly true, but I was the only one using 20#.

It is made here in Texas so the shipping is not as great as other parts of the country, but it is still expensive to get it here. You can get free shipping if you buy $5,000 at a time, but that is not practical for me....especially in today's economy.

You can also buy "seconds" if you go to their facility in Baytown, Texas. They are pieces that have been cut incorrectly or have marbleing.

If you buy directly from Duna, they don't take credit cards, either.

It's a hassle to get, but still the best thing on the market, in my opinion.

[scottbot]

Gents,
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Corafoam it is. I'm going to place my order today. I'm on the west coast of Canada and the supply house I'm using is 2100 miles away in Toronto but at least he stocks the product!

I appreciate and value your opinions on this. Thanks for helping me with the decision.

All the best.

Scott

[kevin]

Scott could you share the supplier I,am at the other end

Thanks

[joewino]

Scott - just out of curiosity, what size and densities do they stock?

Our prior supplier only stocked 15# in 1" and 1.5". We had to have them special order 20# and 2" material, which they did, but we were the only user and finally bought all their stock. Now, they tell me that they are not going to reorder any.

[oddcoach]

I give Duna foam two thumbs up too

[scottbot]

John,
It seems to be one of those companies with two names.
The samples were sent to me from National Plastics in Scarborough and the emails have been coming from South Asia Plastics.
I've been speaking with a fellow named John Yu.
The number there is 416-291-3934

Raymond,
I only asked about 1" and 1-1/2". I have a call in to place an order and will ask about 2" when he returns my call.
He has in stock 15, 20 and 31 pound density sheets in 1" and 1-1/2".

Scott

[scottbot]

Raymond,
I spoke with John and they do carry the 20# in 2" although he thought that he might be out of it at the moment. They carry up to 3" in some densities and I think he said up to 2-1/2" in the 20#. Overall it seems like they actually stock a pretty wide range of sizes and densities.

Scott

[joewino]

That quite a range of sizes and densities. Not many suppliers in the US will devote that much space and expense to stocking an item that is considered a specialty.

It does concern me that you are dealing with an item that is a different name. Duna, USA is based in Baytown, Texas (where the product is manufactured) and the parent company is in Italy. The product is called Corafoam and I've not heard it listed by any other name. Hopefully, you are not dealing with a knock-off product.

As far as I know, all the samples come out of Baytown. At least, that was the procedure a few years ago.

[garyb]

South Asia Plastics Group Ltd is and has been on my distributor list for Duna for a number of years.

[scottbot]

I phoned Duna USA and asked for the name of a Canadian distributor and that's who they sent me to. I pretty sure they are selling the real deal. So far they have been very good to deal with. I hope that continues because they, apparently, are the only Canadian distributor for Corafoam.

Scott

[joewino]

Good deal. Mystery solved.

[joe]

I'm so jealous of you guys who have a supplier of Duna, (CoroFoam)


Gary Beckwith and I are putting a Duna order together and would like to include any of you in the Midwest.
I'm using only 20lb. But Corofoam will mix and match. If anyone is interested drop us a Email.


My favorite epoxy is still PB's epoxy. It's known as PB Resin. All their other products are off limits for me. Their epoxy isn't any better than off the shelf epoxies but it's thick and slow drying, which I like. Precision Boards HDU is close to awful. Stay away from that stuff.


If anyone is interested in sandblasting HDU with a Grainframe I'd suggest using 10lb. Duna is so hard it doesn't work very well above 10lb hardness.


Joe

[Dusty Knobel]

I found some Corafoam at Denco Sales just south of Seattle. Maybe want to check it out (http://www.dencosales.com) I don't know the hassle of getting it across the border...
Dusty