My brother has given me ~400 jazz records in exchange for ripping them to digital for him. What is the safest and cheapest way to transport them from San Diego, CA to Raleigh, NC? All opinions welcome, TIA
Rich
Pack them well....some info Rich... :thumb:
http://www.videointerchange.com/shipping.htm
Do-It-Yourself Methods
btzbul3a.gif (159 bytes) The classic: Double Box
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Put the records in the first box
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Use filler to make sure that the records will stay stacked and will not shift in transit
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Close and tape the first box
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Put this box in a second, larger box
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) The US Post Office sells a 20x14x10 box, office supply stores carry similar boxes
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Use filler on all sides in such a way that the inner box does not directly touch the outer box
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) This method will protect your recordings from shocks and punctures
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Write on all sides of the package: FRAGILE Musical Recordings DO NOT DROP
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Enclose an itemized list of the recordings
btzbul3a.gif (159 bytes) The Sandwich
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Stack your records.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Wrap them TIGHTLY in bubble wrap (the kind with large bubbles). Make sure you cover all edges.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) You now have a sandwich: bubbles on the outside, records on the inside.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Use a box that is larger than your sandwich.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Spread a layer of "peanuts" filler.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Place the sandwich on the filler. Now cover with "peanuts". Make sure that the sandwich does not directly touch the box.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Write on all sides of the package: FRAGILE Musical Recordings DO NOT DROP
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Enclose an itemized list of the recordings
btzbul3a.gif (159 bytes) The Pancake
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Stack your records.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Put two pieces of thick cardboard on the top and bottom of the record stack. The cardboard pieces should be slightly larger than the records. Wrap tightly.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Use a cardboard box that is still flat, NOT formed into a box (or if it is already formed into a box, open the flaps and flatten it.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Tape the box on three sides. Now you have a pancake box, with one side open and three sides sealed.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Stuff the pancake with some filler, then your records (protected by cardboard), and more filler. Make sure the record stack does not directly touch the pancake.
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Write on all sides of the package: FRAGILE Musical Recordings DO NOT DROP
btzbul2a.gif (212 bytes) Enclose an itemized list of the recordings
http://www.claxtonola.com/shipping78s/index.html
You could hire ....this guy... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-h0KjuFt6A&feature=related)
He works fast.... :rofl:
Thanks Chris, some great ideas there.
There's no way the whole 400 can go in one load unless I drive out there, which I am considering about 5% likelihood. 5200 miles round trip. I gotta draw the line somewhere on my music/audio obsession. But if I had to drive 11 miles for a free bebop LP in good condition, I would do it. :D
So what do you guys think is the max weight to put through UPS without triggering revenge against the package?
Double box with cardboard inside, wood crate outside, with foam layer between?
Found this site for vinyl shipping supplies: http://www.vinylrevival.com/packing/index.html
Rich if you can avoid shipping them until later this fall or after Christmas you would have a better chance of them arriving without being warped by heat. I wouldn't put more than 25lbs. in a box. I would also check out FedEx and USPS parcel post rates. UPS has a very poor track record when it comes to having things arrive in one piece or not being lost. If you are going to use polystyrene foam use 1inch white bead board from Lowes or Home Despot and cut it to fit.
If I am double boxing a heavy item for shipment, like a power amp, I pack it into a strong box made from domestic sourced corrugated cardboard with 1inch of bead board all the way around it. The second box is over-sized to allow a 1 inch thick layer of bead board on all sides of of the first box.
This helps protect the item from inertial damage and requires punctures to be greater than 2 inches in depth on any face of the box in order to do damage.
Any way you slice it this is going to be an expensive proposition.
Scotty
Lucky dog!!
Thanks Scotty. Is the pink owens corning insulating foam the type you speak of? It is not styrene beads, but a more homogenous solid. Yes, shipping is pretty expensive now. Maybe cheaper to just drive out to get them, and safer.
No! It does not compress easily enough and therefore does not dissipate shock very well. You want to buy the same type of styro-foam that is used to make those cheap white picnic coolers sold in grocery stores and used for shock absorption in bicycle helmets and motorcycle helmets. The white styrofoam is also much cheaper than the pink or blue styro-foam.
Scotty
OK Got it, thanks!
Rich
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6OVD_2xliM
Rich, there is just no end to your awesome projects, is there? What a great excuse for a road trip!
I am sorely tempted. I haven't driven across the country in 20 years. The first time was 1986, leaded gas was 65 cents and my car made honest 40mpg. Now I figure the gas alone will cost me $600, and the van is not up for it. Hard to get away for a week. blablabla. In other words, mentally I am an OLD FART. The first time I borrowed $200 and set out in a POS car.
Postal Service has the best deal, if I can make it work. Priority Mail Flat Rate Box for 20 pounds anywhere in the country for $15. Today I'll weigh and measure the records, see what size boxes they have. I think there is one flat rate box that might work with enough space for one layer of Scotty's foam, plus masonite armor all around. UPS is $40 for 20 pounds.
Wouldn't truck freight be the cheapest solution? Once you start getting into heavier weights, that seems to always come out on top for me...... with the perk being they seem to do a better job not destroying things unlike UPS or the like......
FWIW, I've had nothing but excellent experience with USPS Priority Mail, particularly compared to UPS. Of course, I'm sure there are war stories regardless of which carrier. 400 albums is probably not sufficient to palletize it which would be safer and cheaper. Of course, you're brother may prefer just to ship a few boxes at a time so USPS Priority with fixed rate boxes may prove ideal. (and they'll give you the boxes for free).
I recall that USPS was going to have flat rate 12 1/4" x 12 1/4" by 6" box ideal for LPs, but I don't see that on their site and I suspect that their 12x12 box will be big enough.
One thing to consider - go make a friend at the post office. I've found them to be very eager to help solve shipping challenges such as yours.
Yes, by the time I add up the total, freight will probably be the cheapest and safest way. The only concern is how easy will it be for my brother to pack them for shipment.
Can you recommend how to pack them? The raw boxes full of records 12 x 12 x 15" at 55 pounds each. If I double box them with 1" foam all around add 5 pounds and 14 x 14 x 18. Those would cost $380 for UPS Ground.
Palletizing small boxes is a good idea in theory, but unless they are wrapped in opaque plastic, the truck loaders will unpalletize them and fit the small boxes separately into the nooks and crannies. Even wrapped, it is so small a pallet that they will probably try to undo it, rather than give up all the space above it. What's your experience with this, Shane? I guess in the end it is still safer than USPS or UPS, and potentially cheaper. Total weight will be 300 pounds. I can't ask him to drive to the depot to drop it off, so I'd have to add pickup, and he can't palletize. Ideally I would call the local Navis pack and ship to come pickup the boxes. Maybe I'll call the local Navis guy, just to see what he says. He sent my Ushers and the premium for his added service and advice was not too crazy.
20 single LPs weigh ~10 pounds, that's what fits into a 3" wide flat rate Priority mail box. That's 20 boxes for $300 with the advantage that he can take his time doing a few at a time and dropping them at the PO. The disadvantage is 20 separate boxes on their own in the wild.
I appreciate the advice guys, please keep it coming.
A 10lb box seems far more manageable and less likely to be fumbled (by you, your brother or the handlers). It will make shipping for your brother easier since using the USPS flat rate boxes provided by USPS is easy and free and printing out the labels online is easy. If the USPS flat rate boxes are a real good fit for 20 LPs from a packing standpoint, that seems like a win.
Plus - you'll be getting 20 Christmas presents! It will also make your life easier since the thought of cleaning and ripping 400 albums will be another daunting Richidoo project! Staggering it 20 albums at a time just feels better.
Which USPS flat rate box are you considering?
Hey, whatever - what a great deal! Now where will you store 400 albums?
Damn Mike, now you're scaring me! I'm still at the point of "I've wanted these records for 25 years now he's finally sick of them." I'll have to find room. I'll build shelving for them in the guest room probably, using 1" stair tread shelves. That works well now on the shelves I store LPs on now, but it is upstairs in my bedroom. I wasn't thinking about actually playing the records back when I built those. Don't forget, it's not only cleaning them, my payment is ripping them to digital so he can listen to them again also. Fortunately I am pretty good at that, and Sound Forge makes editing easy. Not counting the actual recording part (which will be fun to listen) the editing is faster than a good wash.
I put in a request for quote from the full service shipper, but I'm not expecting it to be low.
I was looking at a regional rate Priority Box B2 (https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10052&productId=10007163&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=10000002&top_category=10000002&categoryId=10000033&top=¤tPage=1&sort=&viewAll=N&rn=CategoriesDisplay&WT.ac=10007163). There is no flat rate box big enough for LPs, which require minimum 12.375 square inside dimension. :(
But I think I found the answer...
http://postcalc.usps.gov/PopUps/MediaMail.htm
I can mail 60 pound box with 100 records in a big box of my own with Scotty type packing for only $25.54 each, via media mail, only for LPs. HAHA I love the federal government when the inefficiencies work in my favor. I am now a welfare baby!! Bring it.
Hi Rich, you mentioned storage.
Look at Cheap and Cheerful at my solution
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=92520.0
http://www.biglots.com/browseItem/bookcases-towers/1470
About half way down the topic is my DIY shelving
Made from 2x3's MDF (shelves) and 1/2 & 3/4 EMT
I hope this my be helpful.................Bill
Those came out great Bill! Very efficient! You must be one cheap bastard like me. This batch will more than double my collection so I'll need something, eventually. But still not even half of your collection. Thanks for sharing.
I'm not only cheap but a poor bastard as well :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Me too brother! We picked the wrong hobby
Looks like it's gonna be a bunch of 3" boxes, 11 pounds, by media mail for about $6 each. The should hold about 20 records each. The boxes are from this page, "Xtra large LP shipping boxes"
http://www.vinylrevival.com/packing/index.html
(http://www.vinylrevival.com/packing/index.html)
I was timid about sending large heavy boxes by mail, but the smaller ones don't cost much more.