Preparing the Mark V for shipping

[bstrong]

Hi folks!

I'm planning to move overseas in the next few weeks and I want to make sure my Mark V 510 is prepared to withstand 6 weeks in a rocking container while is crosses the equator.

I reviewed the SS guide to crating the Mark V (for return to the company for repairs) and got some ideas there, but I was wondering if there were other thoughts about packing, oiling parts/surfaces, plastic or shrik-wrapping parts, etc. that you might have. Besides the MkV I have a bandsaw and (hopefully) the planer.

Thanks!!

[beeg]

I'd say clean it up good, wax and oil it. But don't buff it out. Maybe see if you can wrap it up in that paper that some tools come in. The moving company might be a source for it? I'm sure others will chime in with some other good ideas.

[dusty]

I believe your biggest challenge will be the planer. I have never shipped one myself but I have heard from some very disappointed people. The planer seems prone to damage in shipment - probably due to its weight.

I recommend that you call Shopsmith (1-800-543-7586) for guidance.

If I was shipping a Mark V overseas, I would totally dismantle it. Once dismantled, packing the pieces is nothing more than a packing job. I would even pull the uprights off the extension table and the main table. While dismantling, I would reinstall bolts and washers back from where they were removed thus eliminating a big bag of parts to identify or get lost.

The main table and the headstock would get special treatment; especially the headstock.

As previously recommended, I would clean, wax and lubricate everything that gets cleaned, waxed and lubricated. I believe I would buff it out. Buffing dead wax can become a chore and I don't like chores that can be avoided.

The bandsaw needs a little protection but there is not much there that can get work unless it is really abused. I would pull the table off the trunnions and secure the trunnions so that they don't get bent. I'd pack paper in around the wheels (blade removed and packed separate) so that they can't move. Again, clean, wax and lubricate.

Another thought. Are you relocating to a location that uses 60 cycle power? Just a thought.

I hope you will keep us posted with the results of your trip. The best of luck to you.

Wax and lubricate that puppy good when you get to your new location. I suspect that it might be humid there. Your comment about the equator makes me assume that. I spent a little over a year on Ascension Island (almost right on the equator). Sure wish I had had a woodshop there.

[fixit]

You might call Shopsmith (as mentioned by Dusty) and while talking to them ask if they will sell you the packaging they use to ship planers. I believe they will do that. That would give the planer the best protection possible since they designed it to protect new machines and I'm sure they don't want them returned due to damage caused during shipment.

That may not be the least expensive route but I believe it would be the best considering the number of times the container will be "handled" during such a long trip.

[8iowa]

Dusty is correct about the Planer being prone to damage. Not that it is "inferior" or "delicate" - it's just that the shippers are noted for (and perhaps proud of) their reputation as a destructive testing agency.

I bought a planer on ebay four years ago. It was poorly packed. I didn't even have to use a knife to remove the cardboard that was left. All four of the jack posts were bent, and the handle would not turn. Fortunately I got my money back.

By all means, contact Shopsmith and purchase their packing materials for the planer.

Also as was mentioned above, you might need a new motor to match the voltage and frequency of the country where you are going. I know that Shopsmith has a 240V motor that will operate on 50 or 60 HZ.

[JPG40504]

. . . I know that Shopsmith has a 240V motor that will operate on 50 or 60 HZ.
An improvement even if not necessary for overseas. My 230v motor can also be used on 115v. It is also dual frequency(50/60 Hz). Still running after 45+ years! Good Luck overseas!!!:)

[charlese]

My Mk V 510 was moved by a moving company from TX to CA in a home made crate. I didn't follow the exact plans shown on the pages here, but did follow their procedures. At the time Shopsmith told me one of their shipping boxes would cost $50 or so.

The crated machine made it through loading, unloading, storage in a larger crate, loading again and delivery. (The movers laughed and called it "gramma's coffin". Oh yeah, it had hand holes on both ends.

My crate was built from 1 x 4 pine boards with 1/4" plywood glues and screwed to the boards. The MkV "base" (504145) was fit under a block I had chiseled out at a angle to hold the part. The other side, the headrest (514530) was screwed to the bottom of the crate through the holes in the headrest.

The dismounted legs were fit into the crate horizontally and well padded with paper. The casters were put into their original boxes and placed on top of the bench tubes and below the way tubes.

Still have the crate, it sits outside. Can take a photo if you need, but would prefer to wait until it stops raining.

I did not know of the Shopsmith plans at the time - so had to make the crate as close as I could remember to resemble the original cardboard shipping carton.

The most difficult time I had in making the crate was designing a way to fasten the top onto the box. I used 2X2 cleats and screwed them from top and sides. To open the crate I had to split away some wood. It was on there securely.

[bstrong]

Thanks to all for the advise. I'm headed to New Zealand from WA state. Humidity about the same there as here but the transit, I'm told, is HOT.

They are 240v 50 hz there and I've been sorely tempted to get the 240v-50/60hz motor. Time is getting short, though, and I understand Shopsmith can be slow in delivery. Will likely use a transformer for awhile and take me time looking for a used version.

I'm thinking of preparing my own crate for the move. Would anyone recommend taking the headstock off and packing it separately, or leaving it on the assembly?