Shipping Vinyl LP's

Mitch, you really need to heed the advice of Elizabeth and/or Herman above. You are simply begging for shipping damage and trouble with single boxing. You need to use a wooden crate or double cardboard boxing with at least 2 inches of firm insulation (available at Home Depot)on all 6 sides between the 2 boxes. Shipping insurance will not pay unless you pack properly according to their published guidelines. Good luck.

I intend to test market some "gorilla-proof" wooden audio shipping crates on Audiogon in the near future. I have already built 4 units and I am simply waiting on my professional photographer before I advertise on Audiogon. Let me know if you are interested.

I could ship a deluxe reusable crate (that will hold all 200-plus albums) direct to your sister in Milwaukee for a very reasonable price. The top is hinged with a hasp lock...your brother-in-law could pack it with little effort and save you the trip to Milwaukee. You and your sister would simply have to make plans to have the crate shipped out of Milwaukee. UPS and FedEx drive me crazy, but I think they could be trusted to deliver your albums safely in this quality glued and screwed crate.

I think it costs about $50 to ship an empty crate from coast to coast and just a little over $100 when loaded up to 150 pounds via FedEx. This could be a very cost effective solution for you.

Additionally, you would own a reusable safe crate for future audio sales and purchases. This crate is ideal for preamps or CDP's with its internal dimensions of 30"L by 30"W by 14"H They are even somewhat attractive with a walnut polyurethane finish or clear oiled finish. I am currently using one as my coffee table.

I wish you the best of luck whatever you decide.

Regards,
Dan Lay

Dan,

I'm interested in your crates...send me some photos at:

mitchell.forte@loanworks.com

thanks,

mitch

Mitch, I hope to get pictures to you no later than this coming Sunday. I also hope to have an ad up and running on AudiogoN by Sunday for everyone to see.

I encourage AudiogoN members to copy my design for their own personal use for free. Details are forthcoming. Of course, I will be happy to make them for members who are too busy for DIY, at a fair price.

Regards,
Dan

Hello Mitch. Photos were taken Sunday and will be emailed to you sometime Monday, barring any additional unforeseen crisis. My beloved big brother had a stroke. We got him to the emergency room Friday morning, and I have been a basket case ever since. All prayers are appreciated, as he may not fully recover, nor even survive.

I'm confident you will be impressed with the shipping crate photos and YOUR price of only $199 delivered via FedEx or UPS ground (2 or 3 days to Milwaukee). I have deliberately over-designed the crates for the safe shipment of expensive high-end audio gear. They will retail locally for $299 for the safest possible shipment of valuables, such as antiques and original artworks.

I will post ads on A'gon and share my design specs with the DIY'ers when time permits. Everyone, please pray for my dear brother "Johnny." Thank you.

Regards,
Dan Lay

Mitch, I hope you like the photos I emailed to you Monday. I have decided to market the crates as a complete shipping kit including the Home Depot dense pink foam insulation inside and a locking nylon strap to insure the top stays closed tightly. But...I am intensely busy right now and don't know when I will get the ads on Audiogon. Please post the pictures here if you like; I do not know how to post photos yet.

You are certainly not going to hurt my feelings if you choose to go with double cardboard boxing, with at least a couple inches of foam between the boxes. You can save a lot of money with the USPS media rate, as others have mentioned above.

I highly recommend that you and everybody read Lester_ears thread entitled "A Packing and Shipping Manifesto." I consider it to be the most informed and intelligent thread I have ever read on the subject. Been there, done that, seen it all at GE Aircraft Engines.

Regards,
Dan Lay