[gwrightson]

yust how much do these tabs cost?
how many do use on average per week?
maybe its not worth the effort of saving such a small amount, but i have never bought one yet.
as an ex friuterer .what i do know is lots of the produce
comes packed in polystyrene boxs, ie. grapes iced broccoli etc etc ,
get your self down to your local fruit store im sure the will be glad to save and give you any you require, just break or cut into sizes you wany , easy ? or is their a difference in the products  ? cant see any myself
anouther source is the packiging around electrical goods etc. surly some of you out there are already utilising this never ending resource
geoff

[Dynafoam]

Geoff,

Like yourself, I have never bought these - we 'friends of the Earth' do like to recycle, don't we.

I must say that their use, for me, is quite rare these days. I get through their skinny cousins at a fair rate though.

John.

[Derek]

Guys

Fibreblocks....I get through dozens......

Today I have been to two houses where dye bleed from wood furniture has been a major issue to be dealt with.

Thank heaven for 'sliders' and fibreblocks I say

Derek

[SMP]

I get through quite a few of these.  So does anybody have an answer to the original question - how much.  I know that where I buy them from they seem to cost a lot so where do you get them from and how much are they Derek

Cheers

[lee_gundry]

hydramaster 29.99 per box of 1000
chemspec     37.00 per box of 1000


Lee G

[Len Gribble]

Ian

Is that plus vat and delivery? If yes I will go round

Len

[Mark_Jubb]

Try Spurgeons, who are based in Crawley, Sussex.
They supply ones that they get in from the States, they have been the best ones that i have come across, as they are fairly robust and always snap off nice and clean, so no little bits of polystyrene end up floating around. You may need to buy a whole box, which is quite a lot, but this should last a good while, especially if they are only used for larger items of furniture.
Regards
Mark

[Derek]

Hi

I am currently purchasing mine from Chemspec, I buy a box at a time.

I cannot imagine cleaning without them on board... a tip from the 'little man in tights' from Nottingham (Hi Robert   )...

slice a block from corner to corner and 'Voila' you have two door stops.

Uses...

Obviously to prevent dye transfer from wood.

Raises furniture from the floor to allow airflow thereby allows the area underneath to dry

useful for raising furniture with fringes/valances that touch the carpet so that air movement beneath can take place....as above

Plus door stops!

Derek

[gwrightson]

ok ,so most of you are using them , and by the look of it paying good money ,
so take my advise ,get yourselves down to your local
fruiterers and pick up some polystyrene boxs,cut up at home to sizes required, every fruit store will have and endless supply of these
why are you all paying for them?
     geoff

[paulchambers]

I cant tbelieve the cost of these essentials i know they are cut and look tidy but polystyrene can be found everywhere  Alltec price £18 for 360

Craftex foil tabs are cheap at £5.90 per 1000


paul

[woodman]

Since Derek is at it I will do the same and share one of my tips with you

Most of us use or at least know some one who uses the large 2lt plastic bottles, I drink a lot of mineral water so I use those.

When finished cut the bottoms of 3-4 inches up and use to place the legs of furniture inside prior to cleaning.As they are raised at the bottom you get air flow and you can also slide the furniture around on them.Leave them inplace when finished and the customer can get rid of them when dry

Particularly useful when you come across heavier furniture with larger legs,

[Dynafoam]

Hi Trevor,

My daughters often say that if civilisation were destroyed, their Dad could rebuild it, given enough plastic lemonade bottles and wire coat hangers  

Like yourself I get through a few bottles a day and always have some empties on the van. I use them in the same manner you described, but also as 'pneumatic skis' for large heavy pieces.

The bottle is left whole, top tightly closed. The required number of bottles are placed under the unit to be moved, with the cap pointing outward. They glide easily over dry or damp carpet and the unit can be lowered gently by slowly unscrewing the caps.

[woodman]

John

Your ancestors must have a hand in the building of the pyramids

Trevor

[SMP]

Nice useful post this one - thanks chaps.

Robert - hadn't thought of that for valances - I've tried pins and string and all sorts.  Cheers

Steve

[Derek]

Trevor

It wasn't John's ancestors...it was John!

I remember it well........

Derek

[PeterH]

I use lots of these tabs, or snap blocks, as Prochem call them.  List price works out at 5p each plus vat, but I get a 20% discount.

I once tried using cut up polystyrene furniture packaging - fine for small speakers etc, but used under beds or other heavy furniture they go flat as a pancake, ie useless.

Ta,
Peter

[gwrightson]

sorry Peter i have to disagree with you, never had them go flat .
if the furniture is heavy simply double up , i cant see the problem,
geoff

[Dynafoam]

Quite right Geoff,

With enough of them you can prop up a pyramid  

john.