Packing and Shipping a Big Heavy Vise UPS

[mattblast]

I had one too many vises and had to get rid of one on ebay (I still have 3 or 4 left, so no worries). Thought I would share my packing process for anyone that needs to ship one of these safely. This vise was almost 70lbs packed.

1. Head to local grocery store or Costco and pickup two tray style boxes (the ones with no lid that are used to display items for sale). You should find boxes that nest inside each other so that one can be fashioned into a lid by sliding over the other. Banana boxes also work great and include lids. Also grab a few other boxes to cut up for packing material.

I used "Wild Alaska Salmon Burger" box for bottom and "Perdue Buffalo Style Chicken Wings" for top. They were a perfect fit.

2. Grab some scrap plywood the size of the box bottom (I didn't have any and headed to Home Depot where they sold 2x2 sheets for $10, or there was a stack of cut off pieces by the panel saws which they sold me for $0.50 each!)

3. Cut plywood to fix inside box bottom. My box had clipped corners so I had to trim they plywood.

4. Bolt the vise to the center of the plywood. Be sure to use bolts large enough so that vise cannot slide (bolt diameter should match size of hole in vise). Use washers and nuts to secure carriage bolt.

5. Carriage bolts still stuck out a little below plywood, so I cut a scrap of cardboard to go under plywood to protect box from puncture.

6. Place vise/plywood in box and surround with folded up cardboard so that box cannot be crushed. I also filled area on top of vise with more cardboard.

7. Place second box over top and use strapping to secure (doesn't everyone have a strapping set at home like I do?). If no strapping is available you can use filament tape which looks like packing tape with embedded strands of fiber to strengthen it.

8. Place HEAVY sticker on box (available from most UPS drop points).

 

[3/4 drive]

Looks like a job well done !!!!

 

[cdeer001]

Very nice job.

 

[drivesitfar]

Matt: thanks for sharing. just curious what UPS charged you to ship this vise and did it end up around 80 pounds? i think UPS has a limit of about 100 pounds or do you know?

I have seen those strapping tools at several garage sales and on Craigs so i think i'll have to grab one now if it comes with a little roll of the metal and clips. Several of the guys on the vise thread get vises shipped to them on pallets with the metal banding holding them in place for the trip.

very nice and i bet the person receiving your vise packed like that will be happy that you were the seller.

 

[Arps]

The weight limit for UPS ground is 150 lbs

 

[mobiledynamics]

Good Job. I would have used a piece of plywood for the top as well.....and the strapping would have made sure it was OK when it got to the destination. I think without the *hard* top , it might shift enough with the UPS handelers...

 

[Trey T]

very nice, especially w/ the strapping. somebody should hire you to do packaging.

What's the total weight and cost for shipping?

 

[48RON54]

My front transaxle, and a package of side sliders for my zr2, and two David Bradley hood cowls;
All came unpackaged.

Transaxle was baling wired to a piece of 2'x2' plywood, cowls and sliders just had a label slapped on them and exactly NO other packaging.

Per these shippings you can just tie the handle down and slap a label on it.

Good job packing! I wish everyone shipped stuff that thoughtfully! On a side note, I will agree with ducksface as well. I recieved a trunk lid and a bumper for a 48 chevy through UPS and both came with nothing more than a shipping sticker slapped on them lol.

 

[mattblast]

I checked my receipts and found this Craftsman vise was shipped from NJ to CA. It weighed 34lbs and published rate was $23.33. My shipping cost was less since I get volume discounts from UPS at work. I charged $16.95 for shipping. It took about 2 hours to pack (including trip to Costco and Home Depot)

The same packing method was used on a larger vise - a Yost which weighed 65lbs packed (15 lbs of packing material). That shipped from NJ to FL and published rate was $36.55.

UPS does allow item to ship outside of cardboard - mostly tires and other auto parts. They charge a $9 "additional handling fee" Irregular Shapes UPS. I don't think you can use this service for a vise.

 

[rlitman]

The weight limit for UPS ground is 150 lbs

Yes, but over 75lbs it costs extra.

Instead of bolting the vise to the plywood, here's another option.
Glue and screw a 2x4 to the plywood and clamp the vise onto it.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Yes, but over 75lbs it costs extra.

Instead of bolting the vise to the plywood, here's another option.
Glue and screw a 2x4 to the plywood and clamp the vise onto it.

Being stupid, I'm sitting here thinking, "what would you use to clamp the vise with..." Then it hit me.......... duh!

Charles

 

[wrenchguy]

Something like vises, I bolt it to a 18" square piece of 3/4" plywood, put some 2x4 sleepers under it for forklift and call fastenal, the bolt company. U gotta take it to their store, receiver has to pick it up at their closest store. they got the best shipping prices using their own trucks. no boxing or wrapping. this way they can see it so not to damage it. good luck.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Something like vises, I bolt it to a 18" square piece of 3/4" plywood, put some 2x4 sleepers under it for forklift and call fastenal, the bolt company. U gotta take it to their store, receiver has to pick it up at their closest store. they got the best shipping prices using their own trucks. no boxing or wrapping. this way they can see it so not to damage it. good luck.

That's a good tip. I didn't know they did that. What's the est. price difference between using them over UPS?

 

[wrenchguy]

That's a good tip. I didn't know they did that. What's the est. price difference between using them over UPS?

i'd guess 1/2 or more.

call this guy, he arranges fastenal shipping 4 me. can be done right over the phone. remember shipper and receiver has to deliver and pick up the item at the fastenal store. don't bother contacting the store, they don't know whats it about.

good luck.

kyle, 317 472 4353

 

[toomanytoyzz]

i'd guess 1/2 or more.

call this guy, he arranges fastenal shipping 4 me. can be done right over the phone. remember shipper and receiver has to deliver and pick up the item at the fastenal store. don't bother contacting the store, they don't know whats it about.

good luck.

kyle, 317 472 4353

Do you know their weight limit?

 

[wrenchguy]

Do you know their weight limit?

i believe a couple thousand lbs. all the antique engine guys on smokstak.com (best antique engine site on the web) use them. i should mention that it could take some time using them. they don't have a set schedule more of as needed basis with them. also hard to get stuff to california, their own trucks run full of their own stuff. best to call kyle. good luck.

big thread about fastenal shipping on smokstak.

 

[Outlawmws]

That's a great piece of info to know! Thanks Wrenchguy!

 

[fourjeepin]

Nice job! I use milk crates for stuff like this. I have shipped several Ford 9" 3rd members using this method and they have always arrived in good condition. The crates start to come apart after a couple of trips, though. A plywood 'lid' can be cut and fastened via baling wire.

 

[wrenchguy]

That's a great piece of info to know! Thanks Wrenchguy!

ur welcome outlaw. heres the last page of the thread on smokstak about fastenal shipping. alot of good subjects over there, i hope u guys will explore it.


http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118247&highlight=fastenal&page=5

 

[Arps]

Yes, but over 75lbs it costs extra.

Instead of bolting the vise to the plywood, here's another option.
Glue and screw a 2x4 to the plywood and clamp the vise onto it.

Yup, but that wasnt the question

Great idea!

 

[mattblast]

I had another vise to pack today, a 5.5" craftsman. Similar process as before.

Stopped by local shop-rite and asked for a banana box. I like these because they use double walled cardboard and are very strong.

Only problem is the box doesn't have a solid top or bottom so next step is to cut two sheets of cardboard to fit.

Secure vise to center of 1/2 wood cut to fit box. Drill holes and mount with carriage bolts. Use fender washers on each bolt and snug up nut so vise won't slide.

Pack cardboard around perimeter of vise to fill voids.

Once I have 6-8 sheets around vise I roll pieces and shove in each void to fill. Then I place several rolled pieces on top to make it as flat as possible. Then come 4 sheets of cardboard on top and box can be closed.

Use strapped to secure. I made straps tight so they dig into box. Added two in each direction.

Originally vise was 38lbs. Fully packed it is 51lbs. I charged $20 for shipping which will cover UPS bill and some time. It is going to zone 2 and I get good UPS rates. I've now
Shipped 4 vises this way all across the country and they have never had any damage. I only use this method for large heavy vises. Smaller ones can be rolled in a sheet of cardboard then packed in sturdy box with some more cardboard padding.

 

[drivesitfar]

Matt,
nice job packing and the person getting one of your vises packed like that should be happy. so do tell how you get the cost at $20 to ship or is that just your charge for the shipping above the normal UPS rate?

I"m using Fastenal for big vises on a pallet and tall gym equipment works too, but they are not $20.

 

[mattblast]

EBay calculated the price. I put in 52 lbs (good guess before I packed it) and it figured out published rate based on zone. It would have been $55 to west coast from NJ.

Usually the ship cost is higher which works out better for me. My cost on this will probably be $15 to ship and it was more than $5 effort to pack. But when I ship further away the charge may be $40 and my cost is $25 so not so bad.

I actually enjoy packing so I'm happy to figure out a way to pack that is both secure and not too heavy. For smaller items it is almost a game to forgive out which usps box to use to minimize costs.

 

[Bunit98]

Very good job!!

 

[Ray-CA]

Another good way that I've used is Greyhound (yes, the bus people.) I bought a clutch and flywheel and they were shipped this way. About half the cost of UPS, USPS etc. Only "drawback" was that I had to pick up the shipment from the bus station (about 2-miles from home.) I shipped two low-back seat 'cross country and the rate was better than the major shippers as well.

Ray

 

[Roberts210]

Bringing an old Thread back to life here. Does anyone know what Flat Rate Freight is? An ebay seller selling a Wilton 1750 listed shipping at $35 for "Flat Rate Freight". The vise had been extensively beautied up and sold for $385, so if he lost a little on shipping it wouldn't have hurt him.

However I have a 1750 I'm considering selling on ebay, and I don't want to lose money on shipping. A 1750 probably weighs about 50 pounds by itself. $35 for flat rate shipping to the continental U.S. isn't too bad but I don't know how to ship flat rate freight. I did send the seller in the above auction a message but his reply didn't clarify anything. Anybody?

 

[Outlawmws]

Check FedEx for "Flat Rate Freight". Apparently they have something called that, but I have no experience with it.

 

[drivesitfar]

ALL: USPS has flat rate boxes if you can fit your stuff in them. usually for under $20 you can ship up to 75 pounds in these boxes and i have shipped dumbbells in them as a test across the US and they made it in less than a week and medium and flat rate boxes both held 75 pounds.

i did use a fair amount of tape you can be certain of that.

i also think Fed Ex has flat rate, but haven't used their service yet. maybe UPS does too, but i haven't heard of it.

Roberts: are you selling the Wilton you spent all that time repairing? any pictures of it finished or did you already post them over on the vise repair 101 thread?

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Also heard grey hound (yes the bus lines) offers some kind of terminal to terminal shipping cheaper than most, fwiw

 

[dshop]

Fastenal is the way to go...2400 stores nationwide.
They ship on a space available basis, but I have had wheels shipped from CA to NC in 4 days, one time 10 days, so don't stress on the delivery times...the price more than makes up for it.

 

[Outlawmws]

Drives. The USPS flat rate boxes are max 70 lbs, not 75.

The large box isn't huge either; 12X12X5-1/2 , so won't fit a large vise. You MIGHT be able to send a medium sized Vise in pieces in multiple boxes.

 

[Outlawmws]

dshop, Fastenall has increased their packing requirements. It has to be crated - it can still be a good deal.

 

[Chief919]

I will second Fastenal as a great way to go as long as it's not a time sensitive shipment.

My only issue with using then is getting out of the store after dropping or getting a package without buying tools...

 

[RivennHewn]

I received a post leg vise from the other coast that was wrapped in stretch/cling wrap.
Made the cross country trip in fine shape.
No real need to box/package. Not like some flimsy cardboard is going to offer much protection at all.

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks guys. I'll check with Fed Ex and the others. I know this 1750 won't fit in one USPS Large Flat Rate box. Might fit in two tho.

 

[motofool33]

ive found that fedex with an account is a good deal compared to shipping counters, greyhound is also good. if none of those emit a good price try using a shipping broker i just shipped a 150# pallet from houston to upstate NY on LTL truck for 160$

 

[drivesitfar]

Outlaw: I shipped those dumbbells 2 years ago so maybe my memory is off a bit cause i thought it was 75 pounds and not 70 like you mentioned. or maybe the USPS dropped their weight 5 pounds. in any case if the vise or item fits in their box it's a great deal.

i use Fastenal for all my shipping for big items and yes it needs to be crated now cause too many claims from the guys that would strap an engine or some other item to a pallet and expect it to travel across country. i bolt down and screw down a lot of supports and showed a few on the Shipping 101 thread.

here's the link which i think might have already been posted:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338752&highlight=Shipping+101