Any shipping experts?
 

I'm looking for advice on the easiest and most economical way to ship a fiberglass 911 hardtop.

For my first attempt, I made a wooden crate and I'll attach the top to the crate itself, and pad the surrounding area. I've use this method before with good results, but it's relatively 'expensive' and time consuming to make a single-use crate: about $60 in materials and 2 to 3 hours of labor.

Also, any suggestions on the best company to use for shipping? I'm assuming some LTL trucking outfit, but someone suggested FedEx Freight. Any experiences to glean from?

(crate isn't done yet - I ran out of wood!)

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Fed Ex ground always works for us. Give them a call and the dimensions. It's artwork, but some of it entails large canvases. I can tell you you'll go broke building crates, though, and wood is heavier than cardboard. Is there a box store near you? See what they have...

$60 in material for one use? Uh-uh...

I just used PilotAir to ship a vintage 8' surfboard from Baltimore to Phoenix. Perfect condition with just bubble wrap and all for $99.

Alan Poh
'77 Carrera 3.0

This piece is 63" x 55" x 19", and relatively fragile - I'm not sure I'd want to put it in a standard cardboard box. I need to protect the B pillars in particular.

Building crates will get me by for the first one or two, but I'd rather not make a habit of it.

you could you build a simple wood frame to support it's shape, then go the foam/cardboard route.
long zip ties are your freind in this application :)

Have you looked into what Uline might offer? They might have some reinforced cardboard crates that will work. Give them a call at 1-800-295-5510 or check uline.com. Be careful though, because once you make your first order, they'll send you a 200-300 page catalog once or twice a week for the rest of your life!

Jim

Sheet goods are expensive, and I don't think you need a totally enclosed box. Re-think the design using a #2 grade southern yellow pine 1X4. Work up a cut list to determine what length or combination of lengths will yield the least waste. If you don't have them yet, invest in a cheap chop saw and a good pnuematic staple gun.

Ed

Look into bi-fold cardboard. It is usually found with small guys who just make board for custom shippers. You can get a thicker board or heavier board and it will protect fairly well. Use foam/bubble wrap inside the board. We used to ship all wood blinds in this stuff when I was younger and working for a blinds manufacturer.

EDIT:

I use Watkins for all my LTL shipping right now. Not the cheapest, but I have not had a damage claim in two years and we have deliveries every day at 10:30 AM. ABF is also good. I've had horrible luck with the cut rate LTL shippers like yellow and af. Damaged goods and poor service.

Thanks for the tips. I'm kinda AR about shipping - one of my pet peeves is crappy packaging. I did some google searching last night, and uline was one of the hits.

Greyhous bus lines can be a cheap shipper, if you are willing to be there to put the item on the bus and someone is on the other end to take it off.