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How to package a Shopsmith bandsaw for shipping?

edma194

I'm sending someone a bandsaw. Taking off the table, trunnions, and SPT tubes. The metal casing is pretty sturdy, thinking I'll ship the cast iron table separately do it doesn't bang into the rest of the saw. Anyone recall how a new bandsaw from Shopsmith was packaged? I'm considering bolting it to a piece of plywood/OSB/something-else using the bolts for the cover and the knobs. Maybe a wood frame around that? Or am I going overboard?

chapmanruss

Ed,

I don't think you are going overboard but it may not need all of your considerations for packing. My first Bandsaw was one I bought on ebay. Because it was damaged during shipment and thankfully it was insured, I got my money back and even got to keep the damaged Bandsaw. So here is what happened to it. It was packaged as shown below still completely assembled. That included the Mounting Posts still in place.

Not a very good packing job.

At some point it was dropped during shipment driving one Mounting Post up into the stop. This caused the damage to the Main Frame as shown below.

damage inside.jpg

damage outside.jpg

I replaced the Main Frame and now have a nice Bandsaw which has been my primary one since it's repair. The other two Bandsaws I have purchased that were shipped to me arrived well packaged with no damage.

Removing the Table and Mounting Posts is, as you can see, a good idea. I have a Bandsaw shipping box (with a Bandsaw stored in it) that Shopsmith uses. It is shipped from the factory in one box with the Table (cast Iron or Aluminum now) and the Mounting Posts removed. The Trunnions are left in place and the 4 bolts removed to remove the Table. Because of the drive Shaft extending out the back of the Main Frame packing in the form of expanding foam and a plastic cover encasing the foam is used. The Bandsaw sits into that packing which can include space for the table to be behind the Bandsaw itself with padding between the Table and Bandsaw. The Mounting Posts can sit between the upper and lower guides in the space there. Finish off with some packing to protect the front to the top of the box and you're ready to ship. Use a box large enough top to bottom for the back including the drive shaft to the front.

thunderbirdbat

I believe that if disassembled as suggested adding a couple of layers of cardboard would help by adding padding without all the extra weight of wood. There is also a method of using large bags to wrap the tool in and a bag top and bottom with spray foam to contour to the item. It can be a pain to do as you have to let the bottom bag partially fill with the expanding foam then insert the item as it is still expanding but with enough between it and the bottom of the box. The second bag of spray foam is set on top of the item and foam is sprayed around the item to make sure that it conforms correctly and you have to seal the box before the foam finishes expanding. I have received a couple of items packed that way, including a scroll saw. It works well as it takes up any other space in the box so the item is well protected and can not move around.

edma194

Thanks Russ and Brenda.

I think the foam in a cardboard box is the most practical way to do this. I have a lot of foam insulation board scraps to use and cut down on the amount of spray foam. Not as much cardboard around as I used to have but won't need to find much more.

chapmanruss

Ed,

I measured the Shopsmith Bandsaw Box which is 34" x 18" x 11-1/2" and they use the expanding foam. The Table is placed above the Bandsaw. Although the one stored in the box I have it doesn't have anything but the plastic the Bandsaw is wrapped in between it and the Table. I would place some padding between them for shipping.

edma194

Packing this bandsaw turned into an adventure of it's own. I considered bagging and using spray foam but the space in the box from my DeWalt planer was tight. Instead I packed it with 2" foam insulation board on either side, filled in around the edges with 1" foam board, foam scraps, and some underlayment for laminate flooring. Closed up the box with some extra cardboard, the wrapped it with a mile or two of packing tape. Taking it to the post office tomorrow. Putting the table in it's own box. It's the cast iron version and very heavy but nice and flat.

My advice would be to get a bigger box, bag it and use spray foam, or make a wood crate. But this is why I don't want to sell stuff on eBay. Just too much trouble packing and shipping stuff. (This one was not a sale, just helping someone out.)

chapmanruss

Ed,

It sounds like you packaged it well and it should arrive without a problem.

With the Table and Mounting Posts removed the area of caution is the shaft of the lower wheel protruding from the back of the Main Frame. The only way to avoid that becoming a problem during shipping is good padding around it keeping the Main Frame sufficiently above the bottom of the box or remove the Lower Wheel and put in in the box wrapped separate from the rest of the Bandsaw. I now remember I had one shipped that way. :o

ED,

You said,

But this is why I don't want to sell stuff on eBay. Just too much trouble packing and shipping stuff.

I'm with you on not wanting to sell stuff on eBay mostly for the same reason.

edma194

chapmanruss wrote With the Table and Mounting Posts removed the area of caution is the shaft of the lower wheel protruding from the back of the Main Frame. The only way to avoid that becoming a problem during shipping is good padding around it keeping the Main Frame sufficiently above the bottom of the box or remove the Lower Wheel and put in in the box wrapped separate from the rest of the Bandsaw. I now remember I had one shipped that way.

Should have thought have taking off the wheel. It's pretty easy with just a screw on the water pump bearing retaining clip I think. I did have 3" of foam on the shaft side, not just 2". I cut a piece of PVC conduit to fit over the shaft. I thought of using just 2" of foam on that side but was afraid that if thrown on something hard on that side it could damage the shaft, bearing, or the even the casting.

But this is why I don't want to sell stuff on eBay. Just too much trouble packing and shipping stuff.

chapmanruss wrote I'm with you on not wanting to sell stuff on eBay mostly for the same reason.

Packing small parts is easy enough. But then it's barely worth the profit I could make from a small part to clean it, pack it, and deal with returns and other issues. The big sellers on eBay are also getting a discount on shipping that I wouldn't have. Anybody else wants a bandsaw they'll have to come pick it up.