Packaging your mount?

[DJVege]

Hey guys,

Wasn't 100% sure on the forum placement, but I stuck this here anyway. Mods, move it if it belongs elsewhere, please.

For all those that have sold and posted a mount, how did you do it? And who did you do it with? Just AusPost?

I'm selling my old tripod + Mount head, so the boxes will be pretty big. Where did you get the boxes from, and any hints for packaging?

Thanks.

[acropolite (Phil)]

Where did you get the boxes from, and any hints for packaging?

Pack the box as if it will be dropped from a great height, I've recieved very few boxes that aren't damaged in some way.

[DJVege]

OK! Newspaper and bubble wrap galore!! Got it!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Agree with Phil, make sure there is as little movement inside the boxes as possible. Even cut up some old chunks of Styrofoam to help, even cardboard boxes cut up into strips and folded up to use as packing down the insides. Then use 6 gazillion lightyear of tape to make sure it won't split open. Use the tape like a reinforcing of the edges. Besides it makes it more exciting for the receiver if they have to spend half an hour getting to the prize. It heightens the excitement Not really but you will get a laugh thinking of how much tape you have used and how frustrating they are getting trying to get it out and set up so they can drool over their new purchase.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

One last piece of advice if you'll take it.... make sure you leave both the RA and Dec clutches UNLOCKED for transport. This way there'll be no stress on the clutches as the mounts' weight shifts inside the box as it's thrown from one van to another.

[DJVege]

haha, thanks Paul. Tape galore as well! Got it!

Ah, didn't think of that. Thanks Omaroo. Good thinking!

[citivolus (Ric)]

I don't know what type of mount you are shipping, but I've always found good Meade tripod boxes at removalists. They tend to have tall skinny boxes for lamps and the like. I shipped an LX200 tripod to Spain in one of those (with lots of packing peanuts and bubble wrap), and it arrived intact.

Eric

[DJVege]

Who do you guys use to courier these parcels? Auspost only fits packages that are a max of 1.05m in length.

[citivolus (Ric)]

I've only shipped from overseas, but at the time used UPS, Fedex, and DHL. Their rates are a little bit of extortion here, by the look of it, since they lack an economy ground rate. At least they were willing to take larger boxes.

If the equipment is bulky, a freight company might be a better route. I suspect their prices would be much more reasonable, as Aussie couriers seem to be optimized for speed of delivery at the expense of price.

Eric

[netwolf]

DjVege,

I recently had the G-11 i bought picked up from QLD and brough to me in Sydney via Airroad. It was easy to setup an account online with them and make the booking. The seller packed everything really well. Best of all was the price 90$. Compared to the hundreds i was quoted by others.

Regards
Fahim

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

When I bought my EQ6 from Houghy, he sent it in 3 seperate boxes by Australia Post.

Houghy packed it well with lots of styrofoam and bubble wrap in their original boxes.

The total postage only cost $52.

Pretty good price when you consider how heavy an EQ6 is!!!!!!!

That was from Newcastle to country western Victoria via Melbourne.

[DJVege]

Thanks guys.

I'm going to try and package it up in 2 boxes, and make sure they are less than 1.05m in length, and 140cm in girth! (Auspost restrictions).

First stop, though...BUBBLE WRAP!! LOL!

Thanks again, guys! Much appreciated.