latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Jan 15, 2010 2:23 PM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
I was reading about FBM latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes.  Then when I received my latex from Overstock some of mine had irregular holes.   Then I saw a picture of foamsource (I think) and it showed some irregular spaced holes. How can that be if they use a waffle maker type machine that has the holes spaced properly?  Just curious, wondering how that happens.  I don't think it makes a difference on comfort, but wondered anyway.  Could it be Dunlop only does that because they process it differently?  I don't believe Talalay process does irregular holes form what I have seen.
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #4 Jan 15, 2010 8:37 PM
Joined: Jan 9, 2010
Points: 128
Then I am not crazy to feel lumps in my Costco latex mattress......my mother always said you get what you pay for! I am looking at the best coil futon mattress with latex 2 inch toppers from Overstock, starting with one and adding another as need be. I think a cotton cover over my mattress is just fine by me. I don't need fancy silk or wool coverings. This is middle of the road for me and so far it's worked, I might as well stick with it. A futon mattress is now warrented for 10-15 years.......
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #5 Jan 15, 2010 8:45 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
Leo3 wrote:
I was reading about FBM latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes.  Then when I received my latex from Overstock some of mine had irregular holes.   Then I saw a picture of foamsource (I think) and it showed some irregular spaced holes. How can that be if they use a waffle maker type machine that has the holes spaced properly?  Just curious, wondering how that happens.  I don't think it makes a difference on comfort, but wondered anyway.  Could it be Dunlop only does that because they process it differently?  I don't believe Talalay process does irregular holes form what I have seen.

Somewhere here there's a whole thread on Overstock.com latex. I read here that it varies widely - some are okay and some have big holes - I mean gaps - in them. I would not really want latex that has irregular holes. I think the holes do provide a certain consistency of support (That is the latex in between the holes does! ) and if they are irregular then the latex is not going to feel consistent.

Am I wrong on this, Budgy? Wouldn't irregular holes be considered a manufacturing defect of sorts?

Back to overstock.com latex: Some said they got Inernational Latex labels that showed the ILD and some were soft and some were medium. Others had no designation. Sounds like they must all be from some giant "graveyard" for returned latex or something... I'll pass.
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #6 Jan 15, 2010 10:11 PM
Joined: Jan 9, 2010
Points: 128
If laughter is the best medicine then this is it cause I am laughing my ass off. At this point I am so confused I give up. My Costco mattress does have lumps in it and Overstock is as good as anyone else. Way cheaper too!
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #7 Jan 15, 2010 10:41 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
jimsocal:  Maybe I wasn't quite understanding what you guys mean by irregular spacing? 

I could possibly take some photos, I have some 2 and 4 inch layers of natural dunlop that have an "a" side and a "b" side.  They don't always come like this, but basically this manufacturer has pins on each side of their moulds because they make their latex 8" thick all the time, most manufacturers don't make any single pieces thicker than 6".  Because the pins are on each side of the mould they are staggered so they do not make contact, and in the middle 1/2" of the mould they go down to the same depth so on the odd piece of rubber you get a small layer with a lot of "extra" holes on one side that are sometimes just a 1/4" thick.  Sometimes this would happen in the middle of a piece and not be visible but if you try to put your finger through the rubber core you can feel that the holes only go half way through.   In either case it's definitely not a defect, its actually so small of a difference that you can't even feel any difference in the firmness with your hands (and since we have a lot more nerve endings in our hands its easier to tell than laying on it sometimes). 

Is this somewhat describing what you mean by irregular spacing, or are you talking about something really wonky and unintentional looking?
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #8 Jan 16, 2010 12:16 AM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
I will have to reread your last posting to understand how these irregular holes happen.  But there are pictures at this forum regarding FBM (Foam by mail) that someone took that show the irregular spaced holes.  Mine has those ocassionally, but not as bad.  The Talalay piece is consistent hole spacing.  The gaping holes he was (Jim) referring to is a 2"x6" hole I had, but it was because the mold (my opinion looking at it) was not filled up (like some of my homemade waffles look like).  I don't have any pictures (other than the talalay picture that I had with the flaw and now deleted) of mine, other than video (because I am documenting my zoning layers and the changes I make).

Yes I would like to see those pictures you have to see if we are talking about irregular spaced holes.  Foam by Mail pictures here had burn marks (black marks at the hole site) my latex from O-stock is clean.  Some of my latex doesn't go all the way through (holes) either.  Guess next time I tear the bed apart I will have to dig up my regular camera.  Anyway some of the holes are very close to each other, then some are not on the same row, and it seems really weird that a mold would do that.
This message was modified Jan 16, 2010 by Leo3
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #9 Jan 16, 2010 1:01 AM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
ill try and take pictures soon, I don't know if I can properly describe it.
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #10 Jan 16, 2010 1:11 AM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
I reread your description of how the irregular spaced holes occur.  See if I understand correctly, one side of the mold is different spaced from the other side of the mold.  For some reason they don't want the teeth to meet like your teeth (persons) do.  But the talalay piece the hole goes from the one side to the other clear through.  Is it just certain molds or manufacturers?  I will see if I can find the FBM picture, I tried earlier but no luck yet.

Hopefully you can take pics I would like to see Dunlop pics anyway.  Mine (some of them) have a shiny side and the other side is dull.

Thanks for all your info and help.
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #11 Jan 16, 2010 1:28 AM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
i think most manufacturers use moulds where the holes go all the way through, I know LI and Latex Green seem too.  But yes....I think you are picturing what I am describing, I could also say that the actual lengths of the pins themselves are all different too.

imagine on the top and bottom you have a bunch of pyramid shaped pin arrangements that are all staggered so the top and bottom pins never touch.  As to exactly why they do this....I got no idea lol, maybe they think it looks better.
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #12 Jan 16, 2010 3:18 PM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
As I understand it the pins heat the latex up and maybe that is why they don't want them to touch from the top side to the bottom side.  I have watched the LI videos showing the process that explains the process (also it is on Youtube).  Don't the pins make the consistency of the latex (ILD) they are making too?
Re: latex toppers that have irregular spaced holes
Reply #13 Jan 16, 2010 5:29 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
thats a common misconception.  a lot of sales reps have tried to previously explain to me that the larger the holes are the softer the latex or the lower the ILD will be.   by far the firmest latex foam I have seen and carry has LOTS of holes and they are also larger than most.  The vacuum sealing of the moulds and how much rubber is put into the mould play the largest role in determining firmness from one batch to another, the size of the pins of course will also play a role, but there are many ways you can influence ILD.