Best way to ship a vise?

[btrnuthatch]

I need to sell a couple vises but have never shipped one. So, I'm looking for advice on the packing and economical carrier -- US Postal, UPS, Fedex?

The Craftsman 5202 is about 45 lb. and the Parker is about 75 lb.

Any other pointers appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[gagreen]

lots of those chocolate laxatives.... haha. on a real side note when i have something heavy big or awkward i just walk it into the post office and ask them. The guy or gal working the counter (if they are crazy busy) seem to have fun with seeing how cheap and how well we can package it right there.

 

[SlowPoke-Canada]

Can't help you there but it has often made me wonder how they can ship 75-150 lb vises and anvils across the planet and sell them at HF or PA for $60.
I'll go out on a limb and say that you can't ship one to your neighbour for that price.

 

[29rpu]

when my friend ship 9 in third member they way about the same. he use old milk crates. he ties it to the crate so it wont keep on moving and shift aruond when someone picks it up. then makes a cardboard box to fit around it snug.

 

[Rickster]

I use the USPS large flat rate box for shipping US. I get some thick cardboard from Costco boxes and double it up for the base and then use 20 heavy duty zip-ties to secure the vise to the cardboard base. Then I cut the rest of the cardboard into strips, fold it up and wedge it into each open spot in the box. When I'm done it's a sold block of cardboard and vise that I tape the shtako out of with the lined reinforced tape. Don't forget to tell the postal employee not to drop it on her foot.

 

[Outlawmws]

Depends on how big it is but for vises that are small enough a large Flat rate box is your friend, (but you MUST reinforce the insides, with more cardboard...)

I setup to send one like that disassembled, and a sent some way heavy duty Bridge C clamps (well over 50 lbs) that way...

ps: Rick types faster than I do...

 

[TheGrooveking]

Not to be a smart *** but the best way to ship it is to have the buyer pick it up other than that I think Rickster nailed it.

TheGrooveking

 

[Farmall450]

Not to be a smart *** but the best way to ship it is to have the buyer pick it up other than that I think Rickster nailed it.

TheGrooveking

He's right. When flat rate gets maxed out its the only viable option.


I'd check eBay and see what their sellers offer shipping wise.

 

[spongerich]

Sometimes 2 large flat rate boxes will work and if it's going far it's often the cheapest.

I've found that when you get up to 50 lbs and beyond, UPS seems to be the least expensive. I shipped a 149lb anvil UPS last year... my local UPS store packed it for $30. If I recall, the shipping from NY to Ohio was around $100.

 

[Farmall450]

Sometimes 2 large flat rate boxes will work and if it's going far it's often the cheapest.

I've found that when you get up to 50 lbs and beyond, UPS seems to be the least expensive. I shipped a 149lb anvil UPS last year... my local UPS store packed it for $30. If I recall, the shipping from NY to Ohio was around $100.

It could get beyond value of the item quick that's for sure.

Maybe find a truck going there that's not fully loaded?

If you've got any neighbors, etc that are truck drivers or something.

 

[wrenchguy]

try fastenal, guys over on smokstak have good service from them. somthing about banding to pallet and plasitc wrapping it. good luck.

 

[btrnuthatch]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. I appreciate your suggestions.

 

[Craptain]

Ever considered Greyhound? The limit is 100 pounds per package.

http://www.shipgreyhound.com/

 

[reman]

Ever considered Greyhound? The limit is 100 pounds per package.

http://www.shipgreyhound.com/

X2 on the Greyhound. I have used it numerous times for large, bulky or heavy items. Also check the Fastenal store. I did talk to my local store about it but have not actually used them yet.

 

[spotco2]

We ship a lot of small machines that weigh in between 40-60 pounds. I pack them in a heavy cardboard box with any lose pieces zip tied or in a separate box and fill any voids with styrofoam. Wrap that box with tape and secure it. Place a layer of styrofoam inside a larger box and place box 1 inside box 2, then fill all voids with sheets of styrofoam cut to size at least 2" thick all the way around. Tape that box securely with reinforced tape around all sides and slap a label on it.

Anything under 70 pounds can usually go USPS cheaper than anyone else. I'll use a carrier for anything much heavier and wrap it on a pallet.

Greyhound does have great pricing as long as there is a terminal near bow the seller and the buyer. The closest terminal to us now is 50 miles away, so I have not used them in years.

 

[beamrider]

I always wanted to try something like this, the opportunity hasn't presented itself yet. Wrap the vise in a plastic bag, and vacuum out all the air, and seal the bag. Make a cardboard box to fit inside a milk crate. Cut a piece of styrofoam to fit the bottom of the box, put the vise in the box, and Use a can of expand -a-foam to fill up the rest of the box, about half way. Close up the lid, put something heavy on top, and wait......

 

[Burgerkong]

Take out the dynamic jaw and put it in a separate package?

 

[Burgerkong]

I always wanted to try something like this, the opportunity hasn't presented itself yet. Wrap the vise in a plastic bag, and vacuum out all the air, and seal the bag. Make a cardboard box to fit inside a milk crate. Cut a piece of styrofoam to fit the bottom of the box, put the vise in the box, and Use a can of expand -a-foam to fill up the rest of the box, about half way. Close up the lid, put something heavy on top, and wait......

http://www.sealedairprotects.com/NA/EN/products/foam_packaging/foam-in-bag.aspx

 

[beamrider]

http://www.sealedairprotects.com/NA/EN/products/foam_packaging/foam-in-bag.aspx

You believe that ****? Someone stole my idea in less than 30 minutes....I don't even know why I bother thinking anymore!!!

Seriously tho, thats pretty cool, but it doesn't give the average home user the chance to make a huge sticky mess in the garage, which detracts from the coolness, IMO. But as far as durability, it looks pretty damn bulletproof.

 

[bigcaddy]

I used to ship vises of all sizes out and you would be surprised at what can fit into a USPS Flat rate box.

After some close calls with broken boxes and shipping the halves separately, only to have one get lost, i started to send them UPS.

I've got a few friends in the local UPS store so i just drop it off to them and let them deal with it. I've never gotten a complaint on the buyers end and if i have to open an insurance claim, UPS packed it and not me so i've got the upper hand.

To keep everybody happy, i occasionally swing by with some beers or wine, depending whose been doing the packaging. Its worth the extra money and hassle it saves you.

 

[tool_scrounge]

How I do it....

Use double wall cardboard box. Glue the box flaps on the bottom down in addition to lots of tape, Cut a sheet of hard foam (not the crumbly styrofoam stuff) the same size of the interior of the box and place it at the bottom. Cut a piece of plywood (not %$#@! fiberboard) the same size as the interior of the box with chamfered corners. Bolt the vise to the board with Loctite on the fasteners. Lightly Oil vise cover with a plastic bag & tape. Place vise in box. Fill box with fitted pieces of hard foam. Glue/tape lid down. Place 5 address labels on the box.

The sheet of hard foam below the plywood is to give the bottom corners some cushion and to prevent the bolt heads from tearing out the bottom of the box.

If the packed weight gets close to 75 lbs, disassemble vise into two pieces and box separately. UPS has terrible statistics on delivering >75lb packages intact (personal experience being on the receiving end).

If you are using a USPS Flat rate box, fabricate a second box and glue it inside the wimpy flat rate box.

Good Luck!

 

[srmofo]

I have shipped 3 vises.

I cut 7/16 OSB to fit closely in bottom and top of box. I drill mounting holes for the bottom piece and secure the vise to the bottom wood. Then I pack the vise tightly with cardboard/foam whatever I have laying around. Place the top piece of wood on.

Wrap the box securely with packing tape that has the little strings in it. Do it in several directions, across the middle, and all the way around.

Warn the guy at the counter so he doesnt break his toes. I shipped mine UPS