Welcome to Mike Campbell's
Typewriter Packing and Shipping Tips
This
page is a work in progress. When finished is intended to help prevent
shipping damage to antique typewriters by providing a clear set of
instructions for safe packing and shipping.
Antique typewriters can be both heavy and delicate so they present
special packaging problems for safe shipping. I have had many
typewriters shipped to me, most without problems but some have been
damaged in transit. In each case where I have had a typewriter
damaged in shipping, the person shipping the machine had made a
significant effort to try and prevent damage. In some cases there was
some thing I could identify that probably would have prevented the
damage but the damage would have been difficult to anticipate.
A few things to keep in mind when packaging a typewriter for
shipping. most packages make it through the shipping process not to
much worse for the where, one out of every ten or so will take a fair
amount of abuse. If you want any particular package to arrive with
it's contents intact you need to assume that it will be the one that
gets beat up in shipping. You need to assume the package will be
turned upside down and bounced around with other heavy packages
sitting on top of it.
The following packing instructions have been developed from my own
experience as well as the experience and recommendations of others.
Because they each have special considerations separate instructions
are provided for portables and full size machines.
Hazards and General
Considerations
Packaging Portables
Packaging Full Size
Typewriters
Shipping
Hazards and
General Considerations:
This section discusses the hazards we are trying to protect
against and general considerations when selecting packaging
materials.
As a package travels through the shipping process it will be
subjected to a variety of hostile conditions. It will ride bumpy
conveyer systems, be stacked and restacked as it is transferred from
truck to conveyer to truck and so on. Each time it is moved it is by
someone who is in a hurry to keep things moving on schedule. Don't
expect packages to be gently stacked, think more in terms of being
tossed on to a pile.
The package may end up at the bottom of a stack with substaintal
weight on top of it.
Packaging Portables:
- The first step is to secure the moving parts so the typewriter
does not beat it's self up. Using string, nylon ty-wraps, or twist
ties, secure the carriage so it does not move back and forth.
Don't tie things to tightly, we want to prevent damage not cause
any.
- We want to prevent the typebars (the bars that swing to the
platen when you press a key) from bouncing around much. Loosely
stuff crumpled newspaper or plastic bubble wrap in the type-basket
area
- Fill the empty spaces of the carrying case with crumpled
newspaper or plastic bubble sheet packing material. If the
typewriter is not securely attached to the case this space must be
filled with sufficient material to prevent the machine from
shifting around.
- Wrap the case in a plastic bag.
- Pack the case in a corrugated cardboard box that allows a
minimum of 4 inch space on all sides of the typewriter case for
packaging material. Almost any common packaging material can be
used for this purpose. If you are using foam packing material you
need to pack it securely or the heavy typewriter can migrate to
the bottom and lose most of it's cushioning. Crumpled pieces of
newspaper work well.
- Put a large index card or sheet of paper with the ship to and
return addresses inside the box.
- Tape the box closed very securely along all it's seams.
- Mark the package as fragile and which side is up. When
possible use labels available at packaging shops and office supply
stores for this purpose. UPS will not guarantee the package will
remain upright during shipping or that the package will be handled
more carefully but if you don't label it they can't even try.
Packaging Full Size
Typewriters:
- The first step is to secure the moving parts so the typewriter
does not beat it's self up. Using string, nylon ty-wraps, or twist
ties, secure the carriage so it does not move back and forth.
Don't tie things to tightly, we want to prevent damage not cause
any.
- On many typewriters if you tie the carriage return lever
depressed, the escapement will release and allow the carriage to
move back and fourth. This can help prevent damage to the
escapement mechanism when used with ties to secure the
carriage.
- We want to prevent the typebars (the bars that swing to the
platen when you press a key) from bouncing around much. Loosely
stuff crumpled newspaper or plastic bubble wrap in the type-basket
area
- If the machine has a case or lid and base, fill the empty
spaces of the carrying case with crumpled newspaper or plastic
bubble sheet packing material. If the typewriter is not securely
attached to the case this space must be filled with sufficient
material to prevent the machine from shifting around.
- Wrap the case or machine in a plastic bag.
- Pack the case or machine in a corrugated cardboard box that is
slightly larger then the case or machine. Almost any common
packaging material can be used for this purpose. If you are using
foam packing material you need to pack it securely or the heavy
typewriter will migrate to the bottom and lose most of it's
cushioning. Crumpled pieces of newspaper work well.
- Pack the first box in a second corrugated cardboard box that
allows a minimum of 4 inch space on all sides of the inner box for
packaging material. Almost any common packaging material can be
used for this purpose. If you are using foam packing material you
need to pack it securely or the heavy typewriter can migrate to
the bottom and lose most of it's cushioning. Crumpled pieces of
newspaper work well.
- Put a large index card or sheet of paper with the ship to and
return addresses inside the box.
- Tape the box closed very securely along all it's seams.
- Mark the package as fragile and which side is up. When
possible use labels available at packaging shops and office supply
stores for this purpose. UPS will not guarantee the package will
remain upright during shipping or that the package will be handled
more carefully but if you don't label it they can't even try.
Shipping:
Most typewriters when packaged properly will be large and heavy
enough that the U. S. Post Office (USPS) will call them over size and
charge accordingly. Consequently United Parcel Service (UPS) will be
the preferred carrier for most shipping of typewriters. UPS will
handle packages that are surprisingly large and heavy. Unfortunately
UPS is not known for handling every package as if it contained fine
china. Not that USPS or any other carrier will be notably better in
their handling fragile items.
Be sure to insure the package for the full value of the
typewriter. If any damage or a loss occurs it is a disappointment for
the person shipping and the person receiving the typewriter. But at
least if it is insured it will not be a financial loss also. Shipping
insurance is cheep and that is what it's there for, so please use
it.
Following are links to several popular shipping operators and
their rate calculators so you can do some rate comparisons for
yourself.
UPS,... UPS
rate calculator
USPS,... USPS
rate calculator
Fedex,... Fedex
rate calculator
Return
To Mike Campbell's Typewriter page
Go To Mike
Campbell's Homepage
Last
updated on October, 7, 1998