Need help with packaging ideas

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Fri May 25, 2007 4:34 am

Hi Everybody. I've been hanging out at the dulcimer site lately.

Anyway, I've sold my hammered dulcimer and I need to ship it.

I want it packed so well that it couldn't be damaged in a nuclear blast.

I'm shipping the dulcimer, stand and assorted accoutrements and I want to have them in one box.
I've never shipped anything this big or fragile before so I need some tips.
I was thinking about wrapping it in bubble wrap. Where does one obtain bubble wrap in significant quantities?

My idea is to take the stand apart and wrap it separately with said bubble wrap then put the dulcimer on top, also wrapped.

Any other ideas, suggestions?

Innocent Bystander · Post by **Innocent Bystander** » Fri May 25, 2007 4:42 am

For example:

http://www.fast-pack.com/bubblewrap.html

avanutria · Post by **avanutria** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:18 am

I'd ask the dulcimer site people - they'd know best about any specifically-dulcimer packing tips.

djm · Post by **djm** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:24 am

Any business or office supply store (e.g. Staples) will have bubble wrap, carboard boxes, and other mailing supplies you may need. If you want to go totally psycho you could buy a sheet of 2" thick styrofoam and line the inside of the box with it.

I would suggest finding a reasonable compromise. Shipping the thing should not totally wipe out your profits.

djm

rhulsey · Post by **rhulsey** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:35 am

I've shipped delicate lapidary equipment and pipe organ parts on occasion. one thing i've learned that is no matter what you put around your item, make sure that is does not and cannot touch the box that you ship it in, that way the shock of a drop or fall isn't transferred directly to the instrument.

hope this helps (or adds to) your confusion!

reg

cowtime · Post by **cowtime** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:03 pm

Whatever you do- pack it extremely well- I can't tell you how many packages I've seen marked "fragile" and by the time we get them they look like someone maybe sat or jumped on them. Horrible.

I'd also insure it to the hilt. That always gives a little incentive to handle a package better during shipment- plus if it does get damaged you have some recourse.

Miwokhill · Post by **Miwokhill** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:49 pm

Most of the time when I've bought instruments from Music123 etc. they are double boxed. The instrument, in the inside box of course, is usually wrapped in a padded bag, not just plastic but sort of a foam (what is that stuff?) Then the box with the instrument is put into another box and the empty space between the 2 boxes is taken up with either those air bags or mushed up paper like newspaper.

Steamwalker · Post by **Steamwalker** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:53 pm

I would probably recommend bubble wrap and a nice snug box with some packing peanuts to fill the void so it doesn't shift around too much inside. Not sure how much your item weighs but make sure you get a box strong enough to carry the weight without bursting. I work for a packaging company and could recommend more expensive alternatives but it may not be worth it money-wise or time-wise.

Flyingcursor · Post by **Flyingcursor** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:09 am

Thanks all.

I also posted on the dulcimer site but haven't read the responses yet.