Stewart Float Boxes and Foam Inserts

[Velossembly]

I'm not sure if the excellent float boxes once offered by Stewart Plastics qualify as "traditional" but I've had mine for over forty years. By way of mollification, I make my own float containers out of empty wooden cigar boxes; a source that has, sadly, become very expensive.

This brings me to my point: when the original slotted foam inserts eventually perish and crumble, why is it that the replacement foam strips on offer via the "InterWeb" appear to detach themselves after less than a year? In the past, I have parted with significant cash for said foam strips, only to find after six months that they are no longer sticking to the box. I don't believe it's because of some plastic releasing agent used by Stewart because the self-adhesive parts of the strips are still attached to the box. It is the foam itself that becomes detached from the adhesive backing.

As an alternative, I have tried buying reels of the foam strip used for door/window draught exclusion and cutting my own slots but that isn't quite deep enough and the adhesive often bonds to the floats, even takes the paint off!

In desperation, I am using Humbrol Poly Adhesive to try and glue the foam back into place but have no confidence in that being a long term fix. Has anyone else had this problem and discovered a viable solution?

BB.

[Santiago]

Had the same problem. Solution was to make a few float tubes.

[Ian.R.McDonald]

The " crack" as I forced my Stewart box closed over leads jammed in was very sad. 45 years of treating it badly.finally beat it
Just the best boxes ever

[Wanderer]

Another fan of Stewart tackle boxes here. Had some for many years.
The range of boxes were available in different sizes, with the largest having metal clips for secure storage.
All in grey, as far as I know.
The float boxes, all suffer from the same problem of disintegrated foam and just like you Volossembly, I have tried various replacements, but without success.

[Liphook]

3M make some seriously strong double sided tapes. I used EVA block suitably cut, drilled and then slotted with a scalpel to form the inserts. Crafting sites/shops are the place to look. I do like a tube or traditional float wallet for the pocket. Boxes are reserved for home storage.

[Bayleaf]

I know it's far from traditional but my Matt Hayes by Fladen box carries all I need and is very compact.

[Velossembly]

Thanks for the pointers w.r.t. to using EVA block etc. I really want to stick with my Stewart float boxes because four of them stack neatly in my Tackle Trolley (actually, a Shakespeare Team seatbox fitted with pneumatic tyred wheels and a pulling handle made from a preshaped TV aerial mast - I can post pics if anyone wants to see the setup).

I stopped using float tubes after finding that long journeys shuffled them about so much that the painted tips became worn and dull.

However, I can confirm that squirting polystyrene adhesive or ‘MEK’ either side of the offending slotted sponge strips seems to have effected a cure. Time will tell…

BB.

P.S. Why do I need FOUR float boxes, each containing about a dozen floats? Dunno, I only ever use about six of my favourites!

[Liphook]

There's a trick to travelling light/far - you've got to drop the kitchen sink mentality. Try leaving your 3rd tier just in casers and 2nd tier must haves in your car until you confirm the real essentials.... Of course these differ according to venues and methods, but in short time you'll be enjoying great freedom, longer easy walks and far off pitches. A piece of kitchen paper loosely stuffed in the top of your float tube will avoid rattle damage and can serve multiple purposes