Styrofoam Trough Innovations

[Lori S.]

Thanks for the advice on where to get them.  I'll have to give this a try.  Nice examples, Rick.

[cohan]

Thanks for the advice on where to get them.  I'll have to give this a try.  Nice examples, Rick.

I'd say go straight to the departments- meat/fish and produce to ask if they get anything in.. probably goes straight into the garbage.. I think we may get some in our store occasionally, but I have a feeling if they smell like fish/meat my 'driver' would never allow them in the vehicle...lol

another thought- though they are not the same shape- is the cheap styrofoam 'coolers'- for picnics etc, which are readily available, and could be cut down to size-- they are usually  tapered though, not straight rectangular...

[IMYoung]

Styrofoam boxes need to be of the denser type - food grade or higher.
Those used for  bulk flowers are not really strong enough.

[Lori S.]

Styrofoam boxes need to be of the denser type - food grade or higher. 

Yes, I would imagine so...
Styrofoam coolers seem a bit fragile even for their intended use, so I'd be hesitant about packing heavy alpine mix into them (plus the tapering-to-the-base shape seems a little off to me, for some reason). 
Carving on the sides to give texture must reduce the strength quite a bit as well, so starting with a sturdier box seems very well-advised. 

[IMYoung]

Carving does reduce strentgh but happily, the heat sealing with a powerful hairdryer or hot air blower ( paint stripper thingy!)  makesthe surface very strong and seem to redress the balance of the overall strength again.

[RickR]

I had thought about that, too.  It's good to hear another vote of confidence. 

I have found from instructing classes on styrofoam troughs, that students, in general, really don't don't have a clue as to how much melting of the surface is correct.  Something I had previous thought to be pretty intuitive.

[IMYoung]

I have found from instructing classes on styrofoam troughs, that students, in general, really don't don't have a clue as to how much melting of the surface is correct.  Something I had previous thought to be pretty intuitive.

As yes, well one man's intuition can be another's PHD thesis 

It can be useful for demonstration purpose to get some offcuts of chunky styrofoam ( the type used in insulation and building works) and to ....
1) roughen an area.... let the students feel the roughened surface
2) lightly heat an patch ... let them touch that to feel the difference
3) seal the surface "properly"... let them see the shrinking and sheen on the surface now... and feel it again... the feel alone is quite telling and seems to get the necessary finish more firmly in their minds.

4) Do take a second to overheat   a section, to let them see the destruction.
As an aside to that, you can demonstrate making slits for planting in side-walls, of course.
 
Not always easy to do all this while keeping the work area well ventilated and keeping the loose granules from flying everywhere, but worth it!


 Going back to the idea of hot air carving ,  rather than actual shaping of the sytrofoam with stick or wire brush.... remember that this may generate more fumes, so keep plenty fresh air through the work area.
(I've already assumed that masks are being worn!)

[CScott]

There are styrofoam coolers sold at our local tire store which could be cut to form a shallow trough.   They are usually available when fishing supplies are being stocked.

[RickR]

There are styrofoam coolers sold at our local tire store which could be cut to form a shallow trough.   They are usually available when fishing supplies are being stocked.

If those are the kind that hold water for minnows, then they are probably strong enough, I would think.  I suspect, though, that they are regular coolers for beer, etc.  These don't have the strength integrity needed for lasting troughs.