Plz help me. I am looking to scratch build an airplane for that i need to know where i can get biofoam or any sort of strong thermocole(like the the thermocole which comes with the packaging of TV's etc.) in Kolkata?

Its been a long time 10-11 yrs since I left Kolkata, but I think you could check the area behind Chandani mkt.

Pankaj

ZILCH!!! I wasted 4 STD calls on the dealers at Chandni. Including a manufacturer based at Kolkata. They were extremely unhelpful. I suggest that you get in touch with anyone involved in movie shooting. They use the Depron sheets as reflectors on outdoor shoots. Atleast that is what my Guwahati supplier informed me!

Cheers!

VC

If i don't get biofoam then will the thick thermocol found commonly at stationary stores work?

No. Not really. You have to try using High Density Thermocol. You will find it in shops that sell insulating material. This is definitely available in Calcutta as my Guwahati supplier gets it from there. Call me if you need any further clarifications.

Cheers!

VC

Dear VC
Do you know of any shops in Kolkata that sells insulating materials?

Rohit,

Sorry, I left Cal / Kol ten years ago and I'm out of touch. As mentioned earlier, you could try Chandni / Ezra St markets. G.C. Laha stationers at Esplanade may be a good idea. All in the same area!

VC

Hi Rohit,
I got your PM yesterday... Welcome to RC India... It is good to see someone from Kolkata   
I have been unable to find a dealer/seller of Biofoam / Depron in the city. The places I have checked are Gariahaat Market, Chaadni Market, Ulta Danga, and Saltlake. As such, I have given up hope... what I used is use two layers of 4MM thermocoal infused with carbon fiber reinforcements...

VC had a good suggestion, you could try Alipore area.... I have heard that film crews do some shooting around there... you may get lucky... and if so, then do share the details... VC mentioned - GC Laha - they have all kind of stuff... somehow I forgot about them... may check them this weekend...

My suggestion to you would be to use... Coroplast. In Kolkata, they call it Sunplast, it is available at signage printing shops or you could request a local business to donate one of their sign-boards... Other option is to buy it from a local Pan-Shop (Airtel, Aircel, DoComo, etc)...

Yes, GC Laha seems to be a good idea.Thanks VC. If i get time ill search there bcoz presently im busy with cbse class 12 boards.sethji, if u pay a visit to GC laha then plz inform me if you found anything there.

Hi Rohit and VC,

I visited GC Laha (Esplanade Area) to inquire for Bioform. The salesman told me that they do not stock such items... They only deal with art-craft supplies... and Bioform may be available in Sealdaah Station Area - where disposable plates are manufactured.

If you have any leads, please post. 

Goodluck.

Sethji,

I can understand your frustration. I have personally experienced it when I was calling up manufacturers in Mumbai, getting the contact details of dealers in Kolkata, calling them up and busting my STD bills. I was disappointed by their cold responses. "No Sir, we don't sell Biofoam sheets, only plates."

I am about to suggest something that may sound ridiculous, but give it some thought. If you guys in Kolkata are REALLY interested in buying a 100 sheets or so of 8 mm Depron, why don't you take a train to Guwahati, pick it up @ Rs.50/- per sheet (maybe cheaper) and take it across to Kolkata. it will work out much cheaper than you expect. I can check with my supplier if he can supply more than 100 sheets at a time.  I tried convincing him, but he has flatly refused to send it to Kolkata.

Think about it. You need a little madness to enjoy this hobby. Seriously!

Regards,

VC

Hello Sethji and VC,
I seem to have good news. Last week i caught with a person who does printings, sells stickers, making thermocole models, etc. He has a roadside shop next to my house. I inquired him about biofoam, and to my surprise he said yes that he knows shops in Kolkata that sell biofoam, sunboards etc for making models. I mean i couldn't believe that i had never asked him all the time thinking that he would not know. Anyhow, he wanted me that i place the order and requirements to him and he would get it for me. However, i was keen on knowing the specific shops, because had i placed the order to him he would charge me extra money. but the only thing i could extract from him was this, " there are many shops in Chandani, Sealdah and burrabazar, you will definitely find it there," i think he needs a little more coaxing before he tells the exact location of the shops. BTW tommorow one of my uncle's frnd will come to my house. He has been in the stationary business for 40 yrs and he knows most of the shops of Kolkata. I called him up yesterday to ask whether he knows of a material called biofoam. His reply," yes, there are many shops in Sealdah that sell biofoam and i will give u the details tommorow when i come to ur house". There's utter joy within me now that im close to finding the shop. I was searching everywhere for biofoam, little realising that the persons close to my house knew where it could be found. Ill keep u updated. BTW VC can't u ask ur Guwahati retailer where he gets the biofoam sheets in Kolkata.

That's the way the cookie crumbles! I hope you get good news soon. Keep your fingers crossed.

My supplier gets his depron from Mumbai.

Cheers!

VC

VC, I love your idea of traveling to Guwahati on a weekend  for Depron

Rohit, I think you are n the right track.... The specific location in Sealdah is called " Baithak Khana"... and I am very excited by the news you provided... I have a half-day from work tomorrow... So, I will visit Chandani Area... I will post updates tomorrow... Thanks !

good going !!!

you guys sure are tenacious.

pls post if you manage to track down the shops

btw .... i'm from kolkata also - salt lake ib block 

Hello Saikat,
Sethji you are bang on. My uncle's friend also told that biofoam is sold at "Baithak Khana" in Sealdah. Remember, the person who has his roadside shop beside my house also had told me to go to Sealdah so Sealdah seems to be the correct place. So someone from Kolkata can pay a visit to Baithak Khana in Sealdah.(I won't be able to do so bcoz presently i am busy with my IITJEE prep, the exam is on next Sunday.)BTW i will try and get u the names of some specific shops or specific areas as soon as possible.

hi everybody,
As i am also searching  these materials u people give me very useful informations.i never know that i can get  biofome from baithak khana.
if any body find it there, then plz tell me the prize of each sheets.

Hi Saikat, Rohit, and Anil,

I have some good news... I visited Chandani Area and have been able to locate a shop that sells Depron/Biofoam. The shop is called "Y. M. RajBhai" and they primarily sell thermocoal, packaging foam, and other insulation related items.

They only only had 2 sheets of biofoam in the retail-part of the store and both were quite dusty. They were priced at Rs 15/sheet (30" x 20" approx). The salesman stated that they have more sheets available in their "warehouse", but you have to purchase in larger quantity.

What minimum quantities is he looking for ? what thickness did he have ?

great work guys

Saikat,
The store did not have any specifications on thickness... but I would guesstimate it to be 4 mm thick.  Secondly, he wanted us to buy 10+ sheets before he goes to the back-of-the store "warehouse". I did not purchase any sheets, as I had other items in my hand.

Awesome Sethji,
Thank You so much. Can you elaborate the location of the shop at chandani market. I would immediately pay a visit as soon as my iitjee exam is over

I have successfully purchased Biofoam in Kolkata from a local Decorator/Florist !

I paid Rs. 45 for one sheet measuring 36 inches x 21 inches. It is 2mm in thickness. It seems quite sturdy. I intend to use this with balsa sheet on my next project ! Anyways... thought, I should share the good news  with others in Kolkata

Nice clue Sethji... any idea for what they use Biofoam for for ?

Sethji, can u get these biofoam sheets of a different thickness like 4mm-6mm or so. I have sent you a personal message. And i would like if the sheets are of 4mm or 6mm thickness.

Ujjwaana, the florists probably use bio foam to add rigidity to their flower arrangements. I have seen a kind of foam block being used in Flower bouquets and stuff, perhaps, Depron is an expensive alternative as it supplies a stronger structure.

I know that Depron sheets (6 mm) are used in movie / video shoots, here in the North East, as sunlight reflectors.....

Cheers!

VC