[R-390] Re: Shipping R-390s

[Barry Hauser]

Hi Cecil & gang:


> My experience has been just the opposite....FedEx has trashed more of my
stuff than UPS.

<snipped>
> Maybe it's a regional thing....

Yes, probably -- and even down to the route level.  For a couple of years, I
had the same UPS driver and he was pretty good.  The new guy -- I dunno -- 
kind of clumsy, so at some point, he may create a regional difference all
his own ;-(

As for "going postal" -- some people swear by the USPS (and some people
swear at it).  Around here all they have are those tiny propane vans and the
carriers are highly variable as to sheer strength. Some carriers are rather
frail.  Questionable as to how they can handle the heavy pieces.

> I can tell you the key to all of it is the packing job.....if you get it
packaged properly any of them can get it across the country!

I don't know if I'd go that far, but yes, defensive packaging is the key -
and then pray it doesn't fall off the high conveyor or somebody's poorly
packed anvil doesn't crash into it.

> I can't say I am too fond of foam in place.....the foam is not dense
enough for the weight of most of the large radio's.

There are two kinds of foam-in-place.  There are the individual "baggies"
that expand chemically, but are usually too small to fully envelop the piece
and the stuffing is made up of several bags worth.  That has its
limitations.  Then there's the true in-place stuff that comes out of a hose
into silvery bag things.  That's also highly dependent on the practitioner.
Sometimes it's quite dense, sometimes lacking.
>
> The blue foam sheeting is the best!

That and polyethelene foam which I see from time to time -- probably made of
recycled soft drink bottles.  Supports a lot of weight and has flex-rebound
to it.  I don't know where to find it, though.  Anybody know? (probably Hank
knows).

Barry