Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 11:58:31 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <jhrodgers@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject: Re: Shipping Transaxles by UPS or Fedex
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
One way I have shipped heavy stuff was to use polyurethane foam. I shipped a
heavy bulky scale once, by putting a couple of 2 X 4's in the bottom of the box
as solid supports. Then I went to a place that uses polyurethane foams and
purchased some of the "A" and
"B" mix. Cost me about $3.00 as I recall. Then I mixed some together and put it
in a light weight plastic bag, dry cleaner plastic wrap for clothing works good.
I closed the bag but didn't seal the bag. I let the edge with the bag opening
hang over the edge of the box. I put the bag down in the bottom of the box,
spread over the 2X4's, before the foam began to expand. Then I positioned the
scale down on the 2X4'x with the bag of foam sandwiched in between.
As the Foam began to expand, I exerted downward pressure on the scale to make
sure it stayed in place. As the foam expanded it pushed itself out in the bag,
expanding to fill all the little spaces and form itself to the shape of the
scale.
Voila!! A custom form fitted foam packing case, shaped to the scale and the box
and fitting tightly. No shifting allowed!!!
For the cover over the scale, I repeated the process, only I closed the box lid.
That way, the expansion pushed the foam right against the lid of the box for a
tight fit. If on the lid you don't get an exact fit, any voids can be filled
with other materials or if it;s over filled, just cut away the excess until the
box lid will close.
One drawback. Polyurethanes use water to generate the expansion. There will be
moisture present. The moisture will dampen the box. If you want absolute
dryness, then after forming dismantle the thing, and set out to dry for a day or
so, then repack the box with the cast foam packing forms.
I found this to be a great way to go, and you can ship small parts this way
using foam in a can from the hardware store. Just don't forget to wrap the part
in a plastic bag or film wrap to keep it dry.------ and to be able to get it out
of the foam packing. The foam will really stick hard to the surface otherwise.
John Rodgers
88 GL Driver
Chris Weddle wrote:
> A few notes about shipping a trans by UPS or Fedex:
>
> 1. Remove the shift lever (it has the plastic ball on the end). Remove the
> slave cylinder bracket. Remove the vacuum box and bracket. These parts will
> certainly be destroyed if you don't take them off.
>
> 2. Drain all of the oil out of the trans and put the trans in a couple of
> large garbage bags to prevent oil from seeping through the package.
>
> 3. Use a strong cardboard box that is in good condition. Don't attempt to
> use a wooden box or crate, as this will put the package over the 150 lb.
> weight limit. And there is a good chance you will be charged extra handling
> for anything not packaged in a corrugated cardboard box.
>
> 4. Surround the trans with lots of cardboard and/or foam padding. Do not
> rely on packing peanuts alone to protect the trans. They won't do the job.
>
> 5. Tape the heck out of the box with real packaging tape (not duct tape!).
>
> 6. Don't be surprised if the trans sustains damage despite the above
> precautions.
>
> No offense to anyone who works for Fedex or UPS, but neither of these
> companies will treat your transaxle with any respect whatsoever. They will
> drop the 140+ lb. package from heights of 4 or 5 feet without giving it a
> second thought. Although both companies accept packages up to 150 lbs. and
> charge you accordingly, their employees don't seem to like handling heavy
> packages and it shows.
>
> We have learned a few packaging tricks over the years, and we have reduced
> the number of damaged transaxles to a minimum. We insure the all packages
> for their full value, and in the instances where damage has occurred, we
> have always been able to get a fair settlement from either Fedex or UPS.
>
> Don't be afraid to ship your transaxle by UPS or Fedex, just package it very
> well and odds are you won't have any problems.
>
> Chris Weddle
> Weddle Industries
> 700 Becknell Rd, Unit A
> Goleta, CA 93117 USA
> (805) 696-9665
> Fax (805) 696-9667
> info@2weddle.com
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