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So I am in the market to buy something to transport my minis. I am really torn on either getting a Battlefoam Bag or going with a Sabol Army Transport. I have read some stories of folks getting pluck foam and having it meld with their minis, thus damaging or destroying some of their hard work. For monetary reasons, I have been leaning towards Sabol and pluck foam because I can get a transport for 1/2 the price as Battlefoam but the fear of the horror stories have been making me hesitant.

Does anyone have any insight to the truth behind the horror stories? Was it just a bad production batch or is there something that you should do when dealing with pluck foam?

I've never seen it happen, though I've heard the same stories you have.

Personally, I feel Reaper makes some of the best cases. Anything not made of hard plastic is a winner, to me. I've had two hard plastic (Citadel) miniature cases simply break on me. The fiddly little plastic bits holding the latches in place absolutely love to break off.

Havok210 wrote:So I am in the market to buy something to transport my minis. I am really torn on either getting a Battlefoam Bag or going with a Sabol Army Transport. I have read some stories of folks getting pluck foam and having it meld with their minis, thus damaging or destroying some of their hard work. For monetary reasons, I have been leaning towards Sabol and pluck foam because I can get a transport for 1/2 the price as Battlefoam but the fear of the horror stories have been making me hesitant.

Does anyone have any insight to the truth behind the horror stories? Was it just a bad production batch or is there something that you should do when dealing with pluck foam?

I've never heard any 'horror stories' before and have never had it happen myself. However, occasionally the glue that they use on the edges to hold the bottom to the pluck foam can slop underneath the grid, and it's still adhesive if you push something into it. I had my nightbringer lose his face that way. I solved that problem by putting masking tape over any part that had glue spillover.

I've used Sabol stuff for over six years now, and have a ridiculous amount of it. I've never, once, seen anything like what you're describing. I wouldn't worry about it.

I've never heard any 'horror stories' before and have never had it happen myself. However, occasionally the glue that they use on the edges to hold the bottom to the pluck foam can slop underneath the grid, and it's still adhesive if you push something into it. I had my nightbringer lose his face that way. I solved that problem by putting masking tape over any part that had glue spillover.

This
As long as you don't keep the foam in your car trunk on hot days, you will be fine. If you need to store your models in the heat, crack open a few windows and/or buy one of those shiny windsheild covers.

I would put down some masking tape, as Bookwrack has suggested. The edges _can_ have a bit of glue slop.

I won't by battlefoam because they terrorize startups with frivolus lawsuits. They can suck it. I use plano 4-pistol cases and cut the foam with a hobby knife, or sabol cases with the pluck. I have never had a problem with pluck foam, occasionally i have to glue a bit down when it gets thin.

Had a sabol case or 2 or 3 over the last 9 years, never had issues.

As its been mentioned.. dont leave it in your car on very hot days.. thats just bad all around..


and as above, so much bad stuff i hear about battlefoam and stuff they do, ill never buy from them.

but really.. it all comes down to prefrence.. Sabol, battlefoam, reaper cases, using a pistol case, or making your own.. they all work just as good at keeping your models safe unless you toss your stuff around.

I have 4 Sabol transport bags and more trays of their foam than can fit in them. They have served me well for at least 3 years. This is the first I have ever heard of foam 'melding with the minis'. It has never happened to me.

Sabol has been around longer than Battlefoam. So they got to my $$$ first. Though tempted by the idea of battlefoam, I am unable to justify the investment of funds.

I just find it really hard to spend $130+ on a bag and foam when I get an army transport for half the cost. I am glad to hear some positive reviews for Army Transport after some of the horror stories I saw online. :-)

Sabol is a lot more efficient than Battlefoam for the price. If you've got lots of disposable income, go for Battlefoam, but if you just want some good solid storage that protects your minis, Sabol all the way. I've never had any real problems with pluck foam. Once it was kinda hot and some glue goop got on the rim of a base, but I just peeled it off and all was well. Mind you this is one time in two years.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/carry-tool-boxes/18-inch-x-12-3-4-quarter-inch-x-6-inch-aluminum-case-39196.html

This! I buy them at harbor freight tools and they sell it with or without "pluck foam". I store my tanks in these.
For infantry I use cheap rubbermaid containers filled with a combination of Sabol pluck foam trays and GW case inserts. (they used to sell just the trays online but may not anymore)
For reference the containers are the size sold to hold hanging file folders, and they hold six GW trays

Nice looking idea BJ.

SaintHazard wrote:I've had two hard plastic (Citadel) miniature cases simply break on me. The fiddly little plastic bits holding the latches in place absolutely love to break off.

To be fair, this seems to be a much bigger problem with the small case than with the big one.

Been using Sabol for years and never had a problem with em. Battlefoam makes quality products, don't get me wrong but paying nearly 3x the price for a tray that maybe offers a "bit" more extra protection for my minis seems a bit steep to me.

For protection vs. price you can't beat Sabol in my book. Plus with all the legal shenanigans Battlefoam has been pulling lately it makes me even more hesitant to support their company.

Havok210 wrote:I am glad to hear some positive reviews for Army Transport after some of the horror stories I saw online. :-)

And where exactly are these, since no one else seems to have ever heard of them?

Bookwrack wrote:

Havok210 wrote:I am glad to hear some positive reviews for Army Transport after some of the horror stories I saw online. :-)

And where exactly are these, since no one else seems to have ever heard of them?

Internet hyperbole. I've heard the same stories, but like I said, never actually seen this happen. Can't remember where, unfortunately.

Sabol is awsome

Battlefoam is awsome

Enough said, these are two great products. I own both and I love both. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Sabol - You can't beat these guys on price. They make great bags, but their foam leaves a bit to be desired, as you cant leave it in the car on a hot day or it will come apart on you. But thats the worst I can say about sabol.

Battlefoam - Precut foam trays are great. Its more expensive then pluck foam but you get more capacity and a better product.

If I was trying to decide which to go with, it would really come down to what I'm willing to spend.

I play necrons and they are one of the most difficult armies to transport and I highly recommend sabol. GW cases are just crap and Battlefoams are just to pricey. Sabol offers an affordable case with plenty of flexibility to meet any players need. The only thing I can't transport with Sabol is my Monoliths, but I work around that with some plastic shoe boxes and some cheap foam I purchased at Hobby Lobby.

NecronLord3 wrote:I play necrons and they are one of the most difficult armies to transport and I highly recommend sabol. GW cases are just crap and Battlefoams are just to pricey. Sabol offers an affordable case with plenty of flexibility to meet any players need. The only thing I can't transport with Sabol is my Monoliths, but I work around that with some plastic shoe boxes and some cheap foam I purchased at Hobby Lobby.

Sir, have you ever had to tote Pink Horrors, Flamers of Tzeentch, and a Daemon Prince around? I am almost certain they're more difficult than Crons.

Though I can imagine Wraiths being annoying as hell to transport.

Sabol all the way. Been using them for years. I have 3 armies of between 10K and 20K points each, all sabol'd out. Not one problem. Ever.

And who leaves their mini's inside a hot car anyway? That's like saying the cases are great as long as you don't park an actual thunderhawk on them, or leave them in an oven turned up to 225 degrees. lol

Although, there was that one time my IG army sat in a Sabol case for a year untouched, and when I opened it, one of the ratling sniper's rifle barrels had been bent back 180 degrees. The weirdest part was that the paint was still perfected - when I straightened it back out it immediately powderized.

I've never had the foam stick to minis, but I *have* had issues with the glue in Sabol pluck foam sticking to my minis, in some cases pulling (admittedly not GD quality) paint off the fig.

I do have both and while the Sabol bags are OK the Battlefoam does have hard sides and protects the figs better. The custom cut foam trays are nice and their precut ones hold more minis in the same space as pluck foam.

Admittedly you pay for the premium but BF is the Cadillac of bags but if you've got the budget you won't find a better transport.

SaintHazard wrote:

NecronLord3 wrote:I play necrons and they are one of the most difficult armies to transport and I highly recommend sabol. GW cases are just crap and Battlefoams are just to pricey. Sabol offers an affordable case with plenty of flexibility to meet any players need. The only thing I can't transport with Sabol is my Monoliths, but I work around that with some plastic shoe boxes and some cheap foam I purchased at Hobby Lobby.

Sir, have you ever had to tote Pink Horrors, Flamers of Tzeentch, and a Daemon Prince around? I am almost certain they're more difficult than Crons.

Though I can imagine Wraiths being annoying as hell to transport.

Actually I was referring more to our plastic gauss flayer with translucent tubs that pretty much stick out of any army transport tray

I own bags from both. I've never had a problem with either.

Brother SRM wrote:Sabol is a lot more efficient than Battlefoam for the price.

How's that? Ever done a storage ppm (price per model) comparison on their stuff?

Eric

So what are the homebrewed remedies for the pluck foam glue issue?

Havok210 wrote:So what are the homebrewed remedies for the pluck foam glue issue?

Cut paper the shape of the hole and stick in the bottom, preventing the glue from sticking to your model.

Thanks everyone for the ideas and feedback. My Sabol motorpool is ordered and on the way. :-)