[R-390] Packing

[Robert Moses]

I am going to post the stuff that I sent directly to the person that 
started this discussion:

To ship stuff one thing that offers a great deal of protection is to get 
a box 8 inches bigger than the item that you want to ship in each 
dimention. This will give you 4 inches on all sides of foam protection. 
Then get a plastic bag and add rigid urethane foam (the kind that you 
get in a building supply store) to the inside of the bag to a depth of 4 
inches and work the bag around so that when the foam sets up there are 
no major voids under or around it. Let the foam set up to provide a 
base. Next place the radio on the center of this bed and create foam 
filled bags around and over it so that it is not able to shift once the 
foam has set up. You can get 2 basic 'flavors' of foam: the kind that 
expands forcibly and the kind that does not. If you get the kind that 
expands forcibly then cover the radio top, front, back and sides with 1 
inch foam rubber (upholstery shop) to prevent deformation and breakage. 
If the foam expands so that the box cannot be closed then a long knife 
can be used to carve off the high spots. Be sure to include the address 
information inside as well as outside in case the outside label is 
damaged. Oh, BTW one last thing: Wrap the radio in its own plastic bag 
so that if there are any leaks then you will not have a big mess getting 
the foam off of the radio. The foam is expensive, but it will cost a 
great deal less than shipping an empty crate around.

In response to a horror story:

Interesting, but if you follow the packing instructions (including 4 
inch set back from carton walls) I think that you will be pleased with 
the results. The rigid foam is pretty amazing stuff for packing and it 
prevents ANY shifting in transit. Be sure to have the carton stamped 
'heavy'! This will not protect against gunfire, drops over 3 or 4 feet 
onto hard surfaces, being run over by vehicles or machinery, or being 
skewered with a lift truck fork. This type of abuse can best be delt 
with by first contacting the shipper's claims department and if needed 
going to court. Even without insurance the shipper has a contractural 
responsibility for due care.

In response to a description of an elaborate packing system:

Popcorn, small bags, and other small packing materials will shift during 
transit. When your radio reaches the side of the package there is no 
longer any protection and the sharp edges of the radio also make quick 
work of the carton causing rapid loss of the packing and the carton (and 
radio). My suggestion is the best compromise between cost and security 
that you will find. The packing will cost about 20 to 30 bucks. This is 
not too bad and the security of a single use container is then almost as 
good as the expensive multi use containers without the shipping cost for 
empty containers or high purchace price or storage. Happy listening. BTW 
I did not suggest using 2 nesting cartons. My way is easier and more 
secure.

As mentioned in the discussion cutouts around knobs and connectors front 
and back is a very good idea.