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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Scandinavian Glass => Topic started by: johnn on April 07, 2011, 05:39:35 PM

Title: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: johnn on April 07, 2011, 05:39:35 PM
Hello

I've lurked for awhile and have enjoyed many of the posts.  i'm moving about 500 miles from where I currently reside.  I have about 80-100 pieces of scandanavian glass, including various ariels and rare pieces. 

At present, my current plan is to move the glass myself.  I just don't trust movers.  Also I am moving a large number of records and books so I figured that I would do 1-2 loads with a rental truck.

What advice can you give me regarding packing.  As I noted there are quite a few pieces that are very heavy (2-5 kg).  Only a very small number are obviously very delicate (e.g., I have a tall Lindstrand giraffe).

Any advice would be gratly appreciated.

Thanks
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: Pinkspoons on April 07, 2011, 06:03:51 PM
Glass is suprisingly sturdy stuff - I move hundreds of pieces all around the country on a regular basis for fairs.

If you're moving it yourself then you don't have to pack it as well as for postage. As long as you give each piece a couple of layers of bubblewrap (paying special attention to sharp edges), pack it fairly tightly so that nothing can move, and make sure that the very heaviest items are on the bottom and that lighter items, or those with extraneous parts, are at the top of the box, you should be fine.

You might want to invest in a few stackable lidded plastic storage boxes, rather than cardboard, as the combined weight of glass can sometimes be a bit back-breaking - stackable boxes are shaped to distribute the weight on top to the walls rather than onto the contents, plus you don't want the bottom to fall out of the box when you pick it up.
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: Ivo on April 07, 2011, 08:02:18 PM
banana boxes can hold up to 15 kilos each and can be stacked 8 high. I know because I just moved 250 boxes into storage. As long as you don't overpack the boxes you'll be just fine with news print.
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: flying free on April 07, 2011, 09:31:44 PM
banana boxes can hold up to 15 kilos each and can be stacked 8 high. I know because I just moved 250 boxes into storage. ....
OH MY!! :o  and here's me gaily selling mine off because I  have a room full. 
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: rosieposie on April 07, 2011, 10:11:32 PM
I was always advised to firstly wrap the glass in tissue before covering with bubblerwap as there can be inter action with plastic and some glass coatings/finishes. It might be a few days/weeks before you unpack everything, so best to make sure that plastic doesn't come into contact with the glass surface, just in case!  

I always do it that way anyway, as those who have bought from me will know.

If you do all this yourself, you may not have insurance cover, so also best to check.  Photograph everything you have in case you need to make an insurance claim.

I want your Lindstrand giraffe!!!!!!

Apart from all that,  Happy Moving Day, and Peace and Happiness in your new home, johnn. :sun:

Rosie.
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: ahremck on April 08, 2011, 01:22:16 AM
As aperson who moved a lot of stuff about 4 times in six years my best advice agrees with Pinkspoons.

I have found it is vital to pack for lack of movement.  So use lots of filler to make sure the wrapped items can't "bang" against each other and don't force to much in each packing "Crate".

Safe travel,  Ross
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: Pinkspoons on April 08, 2011, 08:00:21 AM
As long as you don't overpack the boxes you'll be just fine with news print.
I think it depends of the quality of road surface you're to be traveling on. I lost two newspaper-wrapped carafes to the sudden judder of going over the train lines at a level crossing when I first started the fair malarkey - the first on the way there, and the second coming back!

I've not (yet) lost anything with bubblewrap.
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: chopin-liszt on April 08, 2011, 12:37:13 PM
Be careful to avoid large or sudden temperature changes - cased glass is susceptible to cracking - I'd be really fretting about your Ariel bits!
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: Pinkspoons on April 08, 2011, 12:58:51 PM
I have heard horror stories about glass and pottery dealers losing nearly all their stock due to temperature changes - especially during bitter winters.  :ooh:
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: johnn on April 08, 2011, 09:01:26 PM
Thanks for the comments, suggestions and pitfalls.  Fortunately, the move will take place in the summer, and no temperature variation of more than 5 degrees is expected.  I do like the idea of the plastic boxes instead of cardboard and will certainly being doing that. 

As I take photos to document things while I am packing, I'll post some of my faves here.

Thanks again and please keep the suggestions coming

 :)
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: Anne on April 09, 2011, 12:48:54 AM
I agree with the idea of plastic stacker boxes instead of cardboard ones. I have a lot of boxed up glass due to lack of space and cardboard boxes are a nightmare as they sag, collapse on each other and so on - and these are very sturdy boxes which have survived being hauled about by couriers already. For large quantity of tissue sheets, look at florists' suppliers - that's where we got ours from at a very reasonable price. Good luck with the move! :)
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: taylog1 on April 09, 2011, 07:37:49 AM
If you're going to use the plastic stacking boxes (I do), then don't fill them right to the top - if you stack them the other end the lids "sag" slightly and will press down on the contents. Also, if possible, try and put them in standing up, so you just have one layer. 
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: glassobsessed on April 09, 2011, 01:50:05 PM
I get my packing paper for wrapping items from my local picture framer - the sheets of glass arrive with a layer of paper between each one. They are free and would otherwise be thrown away. I get free bubble wrap from a large shop nearby, they recycle loads of it, it is used to protect layers of apples and the like, I pick up a handful each time I go in there.

Heat and cold are not a problem for glass, as mentioned it is sudden temperature changes which cause damage.

If in doubt I always use extra bubblewarp..... ;D

John
Title: Re: I'm moving: Packing advice requested!
Post by: kane_u_pain on April 09, 2011, 11:15:03 PM
If using boxes, i used the heavy duty double walled boxes. This prevents sagging and you have an extra layer of cardboard in case something sharp or heavy bangs against the box. Everything else has been mentioned. And as per common senese, when stacking the boxes, the heaviest on the bottom and the lighter ones on top.

And yes...a good idea to move the glass yourself. I do this as well as I have seen some really dodgy movers in my time. Especially after 30+ moves...