Instructions for Packaging an old machine for shipment
 

I created this for a person who is shipping me two heads so I thought I would share.

Please, feel free to critique and suggest.

Sorry it is larger than my usual pics but the text is not readable otherwise.

I also have a PDF of it for those interested.

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Excellent.

I may have to use this!

I've found that the number one thing is that the machine can not move around inside the box. And the worse is if it's inside a case and not padded so it can't move around inside that case.

If the machine can move - it will. Even if never rough handled, just the vibration and stop/start of the truck can cause the machine to rock, and those trailers can take some nice hops going over bridge decks or other bumps in the road. I've traveled on some that could rattle your fillings out of your teeth - and that is even in a car.

The other thing - no packing peanuts or anything loose like that. the machine will vibrate it's way to the bottom, and then you'll have no packing to protect it at all. Peanuts and loose stuff like that do nothing to keep a machine from moving around.

I also like the part about removing anything that can be removed and wrapping it separately. I've got a lot of bent spool pins -

here is the first draft of the Treadle irons part.

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hmmm- suppose I'd better take notes LOL!!

Very good tutorial for anyone packing a machine. If you can't find a source for free foam sheets or styrofoam, you can get foam insulation board at your local hardware store. Just let your buyer know in advance that packing these things is a little more involved than just throwing them in a box and that it will cost extra. If they're interested in the machine enough to pay shipping, they probably won't mind a few dollars more for it to arrive safely.
Rodney

Well done! Good diagrams and instructions.

Excellent! Would also suggest, 2 complete wraps of bubble wrap in each direction. There are also links at ebay as well as sewing machine blogger sights, 1st one to mind is http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-pack-...0206002/g.html, This ones even better, because it's well illustrated... http://web.mit.edu/xiphmont/Singer/m...s-packing.html The problem seems to be, getting sellers to agree to do this, even if you pay extra. I just had a msg today from a seller telling me he is refunding $20 because he got some styrofoam and was going to be able to ship for less...I can hardly wait to see what happened. :hunf:

Excellent instructions Steve thank you! I had sworn off eBay due to packing shipping issues.