Advice for packing a large collection

[TheHuntsman]

I'm preparing a large amount of assembled Warmachine models for shipping, and as this is my first time moving this many pieces at once, I'm looking for any tips on making sure everything transports safely. It's a mix of metal and plastic, in KR foam in card boxes. I read the sticky about putting peanuts on pole ends, and bubble wrapping anything that doesn't fit well makes sense, but what else should I pay attention to? For some reason I just haven't been able to turn up many resources on the subject.

[Gav99]

Well, sending them in foam trays inside card boxes is going to be pretty good protection to begin with. Just try to make sure things aren't going to move around inside should it go for a bumpy ride enroute.

Only advise I can give, is if anything has weak protruding bits (spear arms, whips, etc...) to pack-out around the breakable piece, possibly even put in some reinforcing (popsicle sticks, heavy card, etc) to ensure it doesn't bend and/or break, and then wrap tightly in bubblewrap.

Positioning can be key also. Don't pack loose metals above or too close to loose plastics. If need be, put plastics in a card container separate from metals, and for that matter anything that could crush them (like sliding boxes in transit). Be aware that most boxes will end up with things on top of them in transit, so don't tightly pack everything into the shipping box. You want to allow for some "crushing" room on all sides. So, unless what you're putting in the box is solid enough to take it, pack materials that sit firmly but can be squished a bit around the box (some people use plastic shopping bags, bubblewrap, crinkled-up paper... etc). Also, make sure the box is solid enough. I've had people ship stuff in flimsy boxes and they just weren't meant for shipping.

If you're worried about something in particular, add another layer of bubblewrap, and another, until you feel it should be OK.

That should get everything to your destination in one piece, bar extremely rough postal handling.

[MagickalMemories]

Well, KR foam is soft and sucks for shipping. Fortunately, you're also using the card boxes. That will help support the soft foam.
As has already been said, make sure that any models in the cases won't move around. Any movement in transit is a bad thing. Same thing for those oddly posed models that stick out of their slot.
In the end, find a box that your card boxes fit into as snugly as possible. Fill in any open space with acceptable packing materials. For the record, "acceptable" does not include wadded up paper, newspaper, grocery bags, etc. things created and marketed for shipping (air pillows, foam peanuts, etc) are what counts as acceptable.
In the end, nothing in the box should move around,

Insure your package at full retail value. If it isn't worth spending the extra money on insurance, then don't complain when your stuff gets annihilated or lost.

Eric

[kturock]

"Insure your package at full retail value. If it isn't worth spending the extra money on insurance, then don't complain when your stuff gets annihilated or lost."

Eric

Hmm where have I heard that before?

[MagickalMemories]