Words to Live by When Packing a Turntable

[keiko5]

One of the most high anxiety times for me are those endless days after I pay for a turntable online and before I receive it. I envision all manner of disasters, pitfalls, and boneheaded handlers doing their worst. So, if you have one or two "absolute rules" when packing a turntable for long distance shipping, lets hear them. Here is mine:

"NEVER ASSUME a turntable will remain upright during shipping. Pack it with the expectation that it will be turned upside down and stood on its side."

Kevin

[crofk]

Expect abuse of every way, shape, and form. If you think it can/might happen it probably will and worse. Pack for nothing short of direct nuclear hit.

kc

[analogaudio]

Getting the seller to cooperate with careful packing is most of the battle, in the past I have made a point of emailing the seller in advance to ask if he will cooperate with special packing instructions and I make it clear I am willing to pay a reasonable amount for materials and labor, agreed in advance. No problems since I took that approach.

Two details in particular, remove the counterbalance weight from the back end of the arm; remove the headshell.

Ted

[vinylrayk]

Getting the seller to cooperate with careful packing is most of the battle, in the past I have made a point of emailing the seller in advance to ask if he will cooperate with special packing instructions and I make it clear I am willing to pay a reasonable amount for materials and labor, agreed in advance. No problems since I took that approach.

Two details in particular, remove the counterbalance weight from the back end of the arm; remove the headshell.

Ted

The best result I ever had with this was to do my own packaging. I bought a second Dual 1019 on ebay (having one of something sometimes just isn't enough). I used the one I already had to custom make a shipping box with form fit blue styrofoam that cradled everything in place like the original Dual shipping box. I then shipped the box to the seller with detailed packing instructions & he then shipped the turntable back to me in my own box. Unfortunately, this can only work if you're buying a duplicate of something you already have.

The other thing I try to do is get the seller to immobilize the platter from spinning. A back-spinning platter can damage the cycling mechanism on an automatic turntable. Depending on the design, evenly space wedges and wrapping Saran Wrap around the whole platter and turntable can work. Even then, one guy wrapped the tonearm and that arrived bent!

[norriemal]

If giving packing instructions you need to be explicit!

My first Lenco purchase was from an older couple who were very helpful. I explained how to get the heavy platter off and tighten the transit screws, remove the counter weight etc. They complied with every request that I made of them then wrapped the turntable in brown paper and shipped it. Luckily it was only the lid that got damaged and it has now been replinthed.

[duficity]

After receiving a number of turntables damaged from sellers who "know how to pack a turntable", here is how I do it.

Take off the platter and tonearm if possible
If not, put cardboard wedges to lock in the platter. Build a cardboard cover over the tonearm and tape it down.
Use transit screws for the platter if the table has those
Double box. One is never enough.
Use blue styrofoam, not that white stuff that crumbles in your hand.
Wrap the table in bubble wrap, the heavy duty kind.
Brace the table in the box so it cannot move, up down or sideways.
remember, the box will be on its side or upside down regardless of all the "fragile" or "this side up" stickers you put on it.
Pack the tonearm and/or lid in a seperate box with any accessories.
Put the platter under the turnable if possible.
Remember, NO LOOSE PARTS!

On my last shipment of a Sota turnable, I just build a box out of 3/4" plywood and bolted the table to another piece of plywood inside of it.

I have received a Sota Cosmos IV, a $7000 turntable, which was packed reasonaby well, where a forklift fork bashed through the side of the cardboard box and cracked the very substantial plinth, broke a suspension tower and broke the base. I sent it to Sota for repair. It arrived back in a very substantial plywood crate. Sota doesnt take any chances.

An Oracle Delphi V arrived with a suspension tower snapped completely off. Speakers arrived with internal crossover board snapped in half from dropping speaker.

So, when I charge $75 for packing and shipping of a turntable anywhere in the CONUS, it is not negotiable and worth every penny.

[steve195527]

I would never buy any turntable from a none-dealer(I am assuming a dealer has TT packed exactly as shipped by manufacturer)unless I could collect it,and would only buy from a dealer if shipped insured!

[bubba45]

I usually send sellers this link or cut & paste it and send it.

http://reviews.ebay.com/How-to-Pack-a-T ... 0002161041

[fscl]

RECYCLE Forum members already know I like being green......

Really has its benefits....... a Thorens and erm..... Onkyo......

As a seasoned dumpster diver, I'm always on the lookout for, on topic, packing materials......

Saved and straightened many many yards of brown perforated, packing paper (<----say that 5 times fast.... ) perforated air bags, hard expanded foam board, cardboard boxes (<---most recent from RSD) etc, etc, etc....... Entering in the packing mix is shreaded sensitive documents which is great for cradling delicate parts (headshells, VU meters, cartridges, etc..... )

This includes take out containers which I save for packing and or storing food for another day.....

The second word I live by is, tight, no movement / excursion of the packed goods within the 2nd outer container / box. If there is anything that's shakin' loose there's enough possible damaging force generated by acceleration when errrmmmm drop...... ah mishandled.......

For me, packing is like the old engineering physics project of protecting the egg when dropped "x" ft / stories, etc......and surviving / arriving intact. This is rewarded / graded in the form of fleabay ratings......

Fred and hardboiling does not count.......expanded foam peanuts suck and just to clarify, do not recycle toilet paper, but will / have used new to pack.....

[sombunya]

I shipped a TT across the country, double boxed and packed the way many here suggest. It arrived in good shape.

When it was returned to me from someone who claims to ship 4-5 per week it was not in good shape. It was single boxed using one that I had shipped it in, the tonearm was not protected the way I was advised to do, and did. The head shell was turned about 20 degrees off level, and one of the blocks holding the transit screws was broken loose. It took quite a beating.

I would say a sturdy box packed tightly with packing peanuts should suffice.

[mosin]

I would avoid packing peanuts at all costs because a heavy object can move to one end when they are used. Besides, they are annoying to unpack. Tightly wrapped bubble wrap is the way to go, short custom-cut foam.

Special attention should be paid to the motor, too. I received a Logic Datum II that was packed reasonably well, except for that detail. The motor was in two pieces.

[awkwardbydesign]

Don't leave the lid connected to the deck with the hinges! I bought an Oracle Delphi, and the seller did just that. Of course, it moved and ripped half of the back of the lid away. New Delphi lids are nearly £200! I managed to get a big discount, eventally, and repaired the lid, but it is far from perfect.

[Mark E Smith's Dentist]

Don't leave the lid connected to the deck with the hinges! I bought an Oracle Delphi, and the seller did just that. Of course, it moved and ripped half of the back of the lid away. New Delphi lids are nearly £200! I managed to get a big discount, eventally, and repaired the lid, but it is far from perfect.

+1 for that.

If the turntable has a little free movement but the lid doesn't it'll crack at the hinges. I take the lid off, and give it a few layers of bubblewrap between it and the plinth.


JT

[G Doggett]

The local CourierPost have advised that any goods sent by them should be packaged in such a way that it can survive a'one metre drop' !!!!!!!!!
Scary stuff.
I have used lots and lots of carpet foam underlay when sending turntables but am always nervous until they arrive safely.
I've had good luck so far. Touch wood !!
Graham.