Packing tools for a long move

[W_KY]

The wife and I are moving approx 600 miles from our current residence. Her new job is going to pay for a company to move us but I don't really feel comfortable with them packing up my tools. I see tools as just too easy to be packed off. I would say I have more tools than the average homeowner but less than the average GJ member. The cabinet I am using for my hand tools right now is not making the trip. I will be buying a new rolling tool cabinet when I get there (I got to get something out of being moved half way across the country). The largest item I have is a dual bevel sliding compound miter saw (nothing real large like an air compressor). How would you suggest packing up the wrenches, sockets, etc? I would think cardboard boxes would be hard pressed to hold much weight.

 

[warmpancakes]

get the cheap plastic bins from wal mart 1.00 each they are the size of a shoe box and a roll of duct tape

 

[chadster1]

600 miles is nowhere near halfway across the country. That does not even get you all the way across Texas.

Rubbermaid tubs would be my suggestion. The cheap plastic containers crack too easily.

 

[LoneGunman]

Depot has black plastic bins that hold a lot of weight and are lockable with a pad lock. Whatever you do MARK them in some way so that you know if someone opened them and then tell the movers what you did and why. I lost $400 or so in Snap On stuff when I moved to Florida, the 5cumbags opened the boxes and went through them grabbing the good stuff. Also don't sign for ANYTHING until you check to make sure your stuff is still sealed. I noticed the tools missing and they basically said "too bad you signed that you received everything in good condition". If I move again I don't care if they have to sit around for 2 or 3 hours, I am checking my stuff before I sign.

When I had a pawn shop I had a customer who always brought in nice tools, guy was a dirtbag so of course I'm thinking how he's doing this. Nothing ever came back from the Sheriffs Office that anything was stolen from the sheets I sent them. He tells me after a while he works for a moving company, I called the moving company and a manager came down and looked through my tickets, almost everything was stuff missing from moves. The merchandise was already gone so that ***** for the owners. The dirtbag was fired and tried to sue me and almost won because I disclosed his financial data without his permission which is illegal in Florida. From that point on I had a waiver made up that they had to sign stating I have permission to release their data to individuals and entities that I see fit.

 

[GT89mustang]

Like said check everything out once it gets there, dont label them as tools put books or something boring lol.

 

[eborcim]

For just 600 miles let them move the big stuff that you can easily check. Pack your hand tools in rubbermaid boxes and move them yourself. Same way with any expensive household items (computer, antiques, jewelry, irreplaceable sentiments).

 

[arkangel06]

Rie along with them

 

[Davefr]

Let the movers deal with the inconsequential stuff. (ex: family heirlooms, jewelry, financial records, kids, pets, spouses etc).

When it comes to your important stuff like tools, move them yourself and rent a truck or trailer as needed.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I go to tool auctions regulalry with my own boxes, usually double corrugated meat boxes, they are roughly 18 long, 12 wide, about 5" high, and will easily take 100lbs+, and you can stack maybe up to 3 of them. Most have handles cut in the sides and usually an extra "leaf" of double corrugated laying in the bottom. I try not to put more than 75lbs in them, just to make them easier to move. Your local grocer can hook you up with these for free (they have to get rid of them). Ive even picked them up at a super walmart for free. They would easily sustain a cross country trip, let alone 600 miles. Ive hauled hand tools, chucked full, in them over 2400 miles and stored the tools another 10 years and still re-used the boxes (and they where even stacked in transit).

 

[sberry]

I personally would have a hard time hiring a moving company, I would pocket the money and do it myself.

 

[W_KY]

Thanks for the suggestions. In this case you only get the money if you use it. Have to provide receipts for all expenses if you do it yourself and can't bill for your own time. I'm thinking I will buy the rubbermaid containers and count them as moving expenses.

 

[CamarosRus]

Take pictures of eveything..........Document everything

 

[stricht8]

I did a 600 mile move. I put the entire contents of my garage in an enterprise cargo van. That thing was stuffed to the hilt but it got the job done.

 

[Mickey O]

I'd look for plastic bins like the ones pictured below (blue, grey, black), I got some of them from the Buell sale ($3.00 each) and a pile for free when an Osco drugs closed (they said I could have them). They are very sturdy and if you wanted to have the movers move them they have a place you can put a small lock, wire ties (get funky colored ones) or a seal.

 

[PassnThru]

When I had a pawn shop I had a customer who always brought in nice tools, guy was a dirtbag so of course I'm thinking how he's doing this. Nothing ever came back from the Sheriffs Office that anything was stolen from the sheets I sent them. He tells me after a while he works for a moving company, I called the moving company and a manager came down and looked through my tickets, almost everything was stuff missing from moves. The merchandise was already gone so that ***** for the owners. The dirtbag was fired and tried to sue me and almost won because I disclosed his financial data without his permission which is illegal in Florida. From that point on I had a waiver made up that they had to sign stating I have permission to release their data to individuals and entities that I see fit.

A little off topic but after I read this I thought - now there's an decent, honest man that went above and beyond what he was required to do. Kudos to you sir.