How to pack my machine?

[esantoro]

I need to be prepared to pack my cylinder arm sewing machine for whenever I sell my Model 5/Baby Bull. Any suggestions for the best way to do it. Ideally, I'd like to insulate the bottom of the box with Dow Styrofoam board, wrap the machine head in thick plastic, set in in the box on the Styrofoam board, insert Dow styrofoam boards on all sides, spray in some kind of foam insulation that can be peeled away later, place styrofoam board on top, seal the box and ship.

Any other ideas, or do you know of any services that will pack the machine for me?

Thanks.

[Chris B]

A ups store should be able to pack it for you. They should have a machine that has that expanding foam in it but its in bags and they place around the item while it is still warm and then it expands and wraps around your item to be shipped.

Hope I helped,

Chris

[esantoro]

this is perfect, chris. thanks

[bruce johnson]

Ed,

Voice of experience on the receiving end here. Number one - INSURE IT!!!! Ok, done with that. Good idea to have it packed in a UPS store. If UPS packs and UPS breaks it, the finger pointing is all in one room, so to speak.

I recently got one that was dropped in the delivery truck. That is noted in the tracking, so no question of where and how it happened. They must have done it right, because they reboxed it themselves before letting me pick it up at the center. Some of the broken off pieces (tensioner and thread guide) were not included in the repack operation. My experience so far in the claim process. It was packed and shipped through a UPS store. They used foam peanuts and cardboard as the cushioning (foam peanuts become foam communion wafers in nanoseconds). The hard foam is a better deal. Take pictures of the machine from all 4 sides to preclude them from coming back and calling anything previous damage. Skinny things that stick up/out like thread guides on top, maybe tensioners, might be removed. Make sure that no part of the casting or machine is directly in contact with the outside of the box. I would seriously consider boxing it and cushioning it, and then reboxing it in a slightly larger box. It doesn't take much of a hit the chip the casting in the base if the head is sitting directly on the bottom of the box (ask how I know). Take a picture of it before the box is sealed to show how it was packed and cushioned. Take a picture of the box manufacturers seal to show that the box specs and bursting strength are adequate for the weight of the machine. Look at your receipt and make sure IT IS INSURED. That is what I know so far. I can update on settlement satisfaction later.

[Luke Hatley]

ED, something i would do is to mount the Machine to a

piece of Heavy plywood, this will help to keep the machine

very stable, in A VERY HEAVY CARDBOARD BOX.

two boxes together, fill all aeras with styrafoam..

[BruceGibson]

I'd have to quote Bruce Johnson--very good advice. I can't add anything to that. And I've had great luck with the UPS Store.