packing a leitz focomat v35

[desi8888]

Hi there,
I am moving to nyc and wanted to know the best way to pack a leitz v35 enlarger.
Should I use a service like mail box ect or ups packing?

grateful for any and all suggestions.

 

[fotch]

My experience is a packing service is likely to not pack fragile items very well. If having to choose, a small indepentent (non-franchise) might be better. You should ask to see how they pack expensive delicate items and then deside. Once packed, the safest way to ship is USPS Registered Mail. It is virtually hand carried from point to point. UPS, FED-X, etc., you have to pack and allow for a long drop from a conveyor. That means, at the very least, that dropping the package from 6 foot, nothing gets damaged.

However, with Registered mail, it bypasses the regular system. It adds about $10 and the package must have all corners and seams taped with paper tape. Not every packer may be able to do this, but, it is safe, safe, safe, way to ship. My wife ships valuable, fragile, Reverse Glass Paintings this way. In addiction, sometimes I will build a plywood box lined with Styrofoam to protect the glass.

Another meathod would be to double box it so the inner box is protected with pellets or bubble wrap inside a larger box.

It all depends on what it is worth and how hard is it to replace. Insurance does not insure they will pay a claim. Many claims arise out of poor packaging.

Good Luck.

 

[desi8888]

thank you! does it need to be taken apart?

 

[fotch]

I would wrap separately, the lens, any glass parts, condensers, and protect them seperaly in a small box with bubble wrap, then in the bigger box. Anything that is loose should also be removed and wrapped. The important thing, is to visualize it getting bumped or dropped, and what happens to the contents inside if not protected with packing. The packing sort of does what seat belts do in an auto accident.

If shipping via Registered mail, its not likely going to have to survive mishaps that can happen via regular mail or UPS/FED-X, which can be very rough sometimes.

Manufacturers can and have design packaging for VCR's, Cameras, TVs, to ship via regular carriers. But, their items are protected by what is almost a foam in place system, which would be hard for you to duplicate.

 

[desi8888]

yes, I would love to be able to find the actual box that it came in but I bought it used. I am using movers (father and son movers) so I am hoping that it will not be changing hands as often.

 

[holmburgers]

Having one, I would say that taking the column off is a necessity!

It'd be absolutely huge w/o doing so, and it opens up the possibility of damage. And at that point, you could pack the baseboard separately. This would be good because the weight of that will make it unwieldy and less likely to be handled "delicately". Just having the column/lighthead in a box that is lighter should make for a safer journey.

 

[Francis in VT]

I am using movers (father and son movers) so I am hoping that it will not be changing hands as often.

The V35 was shipped in one box from Leitz with the baseboard on the bottom. The head was lowered down and locked in place.
The lens, condensers and other loose parts were all packed in little compartments in the styrofoam packing.

Your statement above opens up another possibility.
Is this an established concern or just a couple of guys
helping you move? How far is the move? Why not handle this as another piece of furniture. Lower the head as I mentioned above, wrap it in a "Movers Pad" and tie it down in the truck. Everything else in the truck should be this way, why not the enlarger.

Francis in VT

 

[DAP]

UPS, FED-X, etc., you have to pack and allow for a long drop from a conveyor. That means, at the very least, that dropping the package from 6 foot, nothing gets damaged.

Well said! That might be one of the best real-world examples of why you have to over-package an item that I have come across. I will definately keep this in mind when I ship fragile items out in the future (it also explains why so many large/cumbersome items arrive at their destination bashed-in and beat to hell).