[Hallicrafters] Article on shipping?

[Duane B. Fischer, W8DBF]

Hank, 	
	
I had special boxes made for me locally, much like what you described. The
minimum was three of each size and the cost was $58. As you stated, no need for
a second box. Proper packing and this box, it will arrive safe and sound.
Assuming normal hazards and not extraordinary ones occur!	
	
I never used foam peanuts with any item that has over ten pounds of weight. Why?
Because unless a person literally filles the box to the rim, packs the foam
peanuts down, and repeats this procedure until you have to sit on the box to
keep it shut, the item will shift inside the box and migrate to a sidewall of
the box. Once there, it is easily damaged due to its heavy weight.	
	
I use 1.5-2.0 inch solid foam, the soft kind, not the hard type that shatters
with an mpact. I surround the heavy item on all sides with this to absorb
concussion shock.	
	
I do use multiple layers of bubble wrap. I do not use a single layer as you
alluded to. A single or double layer affords little protection. I have been
known to use half a roll to wrap a receiver in, about 33 feet worth!	
	
My philosophy is to 'pack for destruction'. no method is fool proof, no method
is ever 100%. Just the same, with some work and planning damage, should it
occur, can be kept to a minimum and in most cases, prevented.	
	
The thing to remember, always, is the more the object weighs, the greater the
risk for damage. The complexity of the packing rises in respect to the incresed
weight of an object.  	
	
No matter how good the box, or the packaging of the item inside it, it takes
time, its takes some work and it is not easy. Poor packing is the single
greatest reason for damage of anything shipped, by any carrier, to any place.	
	
DBF	


----------
From: Dan Arney <hankarn at pacbell.net>
To: Duane B. Fischer, W8DBF <dfischer at usol.com>
Cc: ARDUJENSKI at aol.com; hallicrafters at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Hallicrafters] Article on shipping?
Date: Tuesday, March 01, 2005 1:49 PM

Duane,
I make custom shipping boxes and charge for them.
For the heavy BA's I use a 24x22x15 500 pound double wall stapled box 
with custom cut ethafoam, which I get %50.00 each, plus UPS shipping as 
oversize 1 which ships as 30 pounds and weighs 13 pounds. Have sold over 
50 of them and no damage.  This box does not need to be double boxed.
I now send out a ox to be used for return of any unit that I buy that 
weighs over 50 pounds. I have 3 or 4 of my boxes that have made 5 or so 
trips out and back are still serviceable.

I sell foam peanuts for packing in my business but do not use them 
myself unless the corners are protected and then as a filler only.

I only use bubble wrap for small items like tubes, mikes, but nothing 
heavy. What do you have when a bubble burst you have two thin pieces of 
plastic

Hank
KN6DI