Game box form inserts

[jelloslug]

I don't keep my games in the cardboard boxes and several of my boxes are kinda squished and have seen better days.  I had made a wooden form in the past to help re-glue boxes that had come apart, sort of a TG-16 game box shoe tree.  I wanted something like that for all of my boxes but not something quite so bulky.  I found some rigid styrofoam at a craft store and made these:



They are just undersize for the box and make it so that they cannot be easily squished.

[jelloslug]

The insert is 6.75 x 5.75 x .570 and I used a big table saw to cut them. The foam block I bought was 24 x 36 x 4 and that is enough to make 60 inserts (if you don't mess any up).  A large hot wire cutter could do it as long as the wire is rigid enough to not lead off.  I tried to make the .570 slices with a large band saw but the blade would wander making the cuts crooked.  Be careful using a table saw as you will have to make multiple passes to cut all the way through.

[Necromancer]

Nice.  I similarly filled my boxes with extruded polystyrene.

[Desh]

This is a good idea.  I've just been stuffing empty CD cases in my empty TG boxes.  I did make a "form" once to restore an NES Action set box I found in the attic of one of my bosses rental houses.  I was helping him clean the place out and couldn't let him throw that box out..  I lightly misted the inside of the box with water then stuffed the factory inner Styrofoam inside and then surrounded the outside with a form fitting box made out of 1/4" particle board.  After I let it sit in there for a few weeks it was the correct shape again.

[jelloslug]

This is a good idea.  I've just been stuffing empty CD cases in my empty TG boxes.  I did make a "form" once to restore an NES Action set box I found in the attic of one of my bosses rental houses.  I was helping him clean the place out and couldn't let him throw that box out..  I lightly misted the inside of the box with water then stuffed the factory inner Styrofoam inside and then surrounded the outside with a form fitting box made out of 1/4" particle board.  After I let it sit in there for a few weeks it was the correct shape again.

I found about 20 of my old turbo game boxes in my parents attic in squished condition.  On most of them the glue had failed so I was able to unfold them completely.  I took all the squished ones and ironed them on a low heat setting and then presses them flat for a few weeks in between some boards.  I then made a wooden form and reglued them on the form. They came out surprising well.

[roflmao]

I found about 20 of my old turbo game boxes in my parents attic in squished condition.  On most of them the glue and failed so I was able to unfold them completely.  I took all the squished ones and ironed them on a low heat setting and then presses them flat for a few weeks in between some boards.  I then made a wooden form and reglued them on the form. They came out surprising well.

That, my friends, is obey.

[RTQ]

I went the more expensive route and bought some TG box protectors - the exoskeleton approach.  They're definitely worth it and I don't have as much fear of crushing my boxes, but I definitely dig your DIY approach!

[galam]

I don't keep my games in the cardboard boxes and several of my boxes are kinda squished and have seen better days.  I had made a wooden form in the past to help re-glue boxes that had come apart, sort of a TG-16 game box shoe tree.  I wanted something like that for all of my boxes but not something quite so bulky.  I found some rigid styrofoam at a craft store and made these:

you know what else works?  the game. 
sometimes i forget you guys all "play" these games.  none of you understand the true value of your investments. 
i appreciate you trying to preserve the packaging.  but lets face, all retro video games should remain sealed.  then you wouldnt have to put time into these projects.

bump for wmac

[jelloslug]

I went the more expensive route and bought some TG box protectors - the exoskeleton approach.  They're definitely worth it and I don't have as much fear of crushing my boxes, but I definitely dig your DIY approach!

I have box protectors also but a squished box is still a squished box.

[gekioh]

That is one of the coolest DIY ideas I've ever seen. Props my man, props!