Prepping Saw for Shipping?

[Crofter]

What is involved in preparing a used saw for shipping. I realise gas fumes are a concern for anything on a public transportation vehicle. Any tips would be appreciated.

Frank

 

[treeclimber165]

I'd drain the fuel and bar oil, then start it up to empty the fuel out of the carb and fuel line. Clean off the outside well enough to remove any spilled oil or gas. Because of the weight I'd double box it or line your box with an extra layer of cardboard, then pack crumpled newspaper or packing material around it tightly to prevent shifting.

 

[ricksvar]

Crofter,

Ditto Brians remarks....and remove the bar,you won't need nearly as large a box.

Rick

 

[Crofter]

Before you can bus ship auto fuel tanks they have to be steam cleaned inside out. I wondered if a saw in a parcel that smelled any of gas might get detonated by some bomb squad response team!

Frank

 

[Toneman]

Crofter,
leave the gas cap off the tank for a few days and let it air out. I also put some nice smelling stuff like dried flowers,( I borrow these from the girl friend.......)
I also wrap it in a garbage bag before boxing
I hope this helps

 

[crowe]

shipping?

Crofter,
Here is an idea its a little strange but has worked well for me.
I went to my local hardware store and bought a three pack of spray foam insulation, lined the bottom of the box again and sprayed a can of the sprayfoam on the bottom. I layed a heavy garbage bag on top of it and sat the saw down in it. Let the foam raise up around it and let it stiffen up around it. I layed a garbage bag over the top of the saw and some old shirts or rags lined the sides around the saw and the handles with cardboard and sprayed foam in the spaces between the outer wall of the box and what you had lined around the saw. Seems like alot of effort but it works real well especially if your not shipping alot of saws. It will definitley keep it from rattiling around in the box. Happy packing, Wade Huggins

 

[timberwolf]

Yep, I think the spray foam is the way to go, mark the box "Do not distroy shipping container"

That way it would come back in the same box.

 

[ClearH20Scott]

Ditto what Crowe did, I have access to a foamer at work. Ask
your local Mailboxes etc. to sell you a 350DW burst rated box.
Your stuff will show up undamaged. Shipping is another topic
entirely. I double bag the machines also. Dawgs always like to
poke through.

 

[John in MA]

I've shipping a couple things with the spray foam ("Great Stuff Triple Expanding" seems to work best) but I never thought it was worth the time, effort, or the cost of the stuff to begin with. It also doesn't afford a lot of shock protection, IMHO. The pro shipping foam is great, however.

Drain saw of gas and oil, run out the carb. Leave the tank open for a while if you're concerned about fumes. Take off the bar and chain. Brush as much sawdust and crap out of the saw as you can. Wrap the powerhead in a couple of supermarket or trash bags and tape closed. Get a nice, used box (stronger is better but you can use almost anything you want as long as it's not too small) with good clearance all the way around. Pack the saw in tightly with peanuts or newspapers. Wrap the bar and chain in newspaper and put those in on top of the saw. Longer bars should be packing heavily and sent as a second package. Tape the box closed. Double boxing won't hurt if you're shipping something large and heavy like a 111, SP125, etc.

Use USPS if you're only sending it a state or two away. UPS or FedEx Ground (RPS) are the best ways for long distances. Call them up and ask for a pickup if you can wait for them. I usually don't tell them what's in the box because former employees I've talked to said they played forklift polo with anything marked "fragile."


I've found Mailboxes to be a load of lying, cheating, price gouging jerks. You start spending money as soon as you walk in the door.

 

[ClearH20Scott]

Crofter,

sorry, doubtful they have Mailboxes etc. in Northern Ontario,
just trying to help. I will be sure to check home location better
next time. Just try to get your hands on a box that's designed
to make a round trip, they hold up much better than what's called
a 275C kraft, or single wall one way box. I deal with packaging
on a daily basis, I've seen some nasty stuff happen due to
a subpar box.

 

[Dennis]

I think everyone has pretty much covered the shipping aspects....and I can honestly say that the foam shipping the ClearH20Scott uses is fantastic!! Also gives me a safe and easy way to return ship..

Speaking of which Scott..I have been meaning to give you a tracking number....chances are you will have the parcel before the tracking number comes up on the site...but anyway...lol..

www.canadapost.ca #cx 007 120 847 ca

 

[ClearH20Scott]

Dennis,
yup, punched it in, nothing came up. I wouldn't be surprised if
it's there tonight or tomorrow. Thanks anyhow.

 

[Crofter]

Thanks guys

Loads of good ideas there. We want peace of mind when our babies are on the road. It is sad when you receive something looking like road kill!

Frank

 

[daveb]

I bought a saw on ebay and the guy shipprd it 3/4 full of gas and bar oil, couldn't believe it, none leaked thank goodness.

 

[John in MA]

That junker 026 I bought was a real shipping nightmare. No padding other than cardboard chunks in the box. Full of fuel and gas, with the gas tank breather broken off. The box was nearly dripping. It was obvious where the PO cut it open for venting. I couldn't bring it inside because of the smell.

 

[crowe]

UPS policy

Isn't it true that you have to double box items that you are shipping through UPS to be able to collect on the insurance claim if you were to need it? I tell you I have had such a time with UPS lately. My house burnt down last month Dec 9th,anyway I had several items to be delievered some saw stuff from madsens and some hunting stuff for my boy. Anyway I called told them of my change of address and not to deliever to my house. I tracked my shipments, well that day came and passed for both of them to arrive at my new residence, they never came. So I thought maybe I should run down to the pile of rubble that use to be my house and sure enough there was my stuff sitting on what was left of the steps. I could not believe it, then to boot he did it again the other night luckily my old neighbor went down their and got my stuff and brought it up to me he made sure that the ups man understood that I did not live there and pointed out to him that the shipping address did not match the address of where he was at. I tell you shipping and recieving can be a real pain sometimes. Later, Wade

 

[bwalker]

Crowe, Its very true. Just ask Mike rupley about that. he sent me a 460 that got magaled in transit. We ended up collecting, but it took months and was about as easy as pulling nose hairs.

 

[JimL]

I sent a saw and the bar was missing in the box. never got the $50 i filed for....
.

 

[dozerdan]

I have sent many saws via UPS and USPS,both have damaged them and lost bars for me.USPS is a lot faster about paying you for a claim but has a higher initial shipping cost.
The only was I will ship out a saw with the bar is to lay the bar flat on the very bottom of the box,tape it fast to the bottom.It also helps give the bottom of the box a little extra support and I have never lost a bar this way.
Later
Dan

 

[Crofter]

It probably is a good idea not to ship with the bar on. If it doesn't look like a saw it probably isn't as much a target for theft either. In Canada, Greyhoound bus and Purolator Courrier are I think reasonable alternatives and quicker than Canada Post. None are cheap though.

Frank