Caution!! Rant about to begin!!!!!!

[Hap Waldrop]

Ok people, I think some of you need this talk, disregard it if you don't. I just recieved three boxes today from two customers, both posters on this forum, don't worry I'm not calling you out by name. Putting a heavy item in a oversized box with packing peanuts don't exactly work too well, in fact it works pretty crappy ( guess I can't cuss since this is a Baptist website, lord knows I would like to right now) I've got the magority of a engine in two boxes that are ripped apart from heavy parts shifting, a UPS driver with a truck floor full of shipping peanuts that wants to kill somebody right now, and a crankshaft in a box that I don't know how (insert cuss word) it made it here, this guy used bubble wrap and entombed the crank in it, so I think we're ok, but just used a crappy thin cardboard box to start with. Forget that peanut crap when you're packing heavy stuff, in fact don't ever send me any of those peanuts, ever. You need plenty of large bubble wrap, sometimes a box within a box, and packing paper so darn (there's another PC cuss word) tight you can hardly close the box. Hint if you can feel the item shift within the box, it's a safe bet it might not arrived unscatched. Oh and before someone blames UPS/FEDEX/USPS, forget that, it ain't the shipping company, it's the people packing the boxes. I had a guy send me a 2" main 1098 last year (they don't exactly grow on trees) packed in a big oversized box with packing peanuts, open the already partially opened box and sure enough, cracked block at the rear main cap. OK rant over, have a nice day!

 

[drooartz]

I'll fess up as being one of the customers Hap is talking about. Feeling properly chastized for my packing job. Really did think I was doing it right, tried to be careful, but obviously I didn't do what I really needed to do. Hopefully my parts are still okay, but I've certainly learned a lesson here. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/sick.gif

So don't be like Drew, and do listen to what Hap is saying!

 

[Trevor Jessie]

One of the advantages of being married to a drug sales rep. is the never ending supply of cardboard boxes and packing supplies. It is easy to pack things well when you have a whole bin of "stuff" to pick and choose from.

 

[jlaird]

Think this is realy the important part, may I suggest filament tape over top of everything all directions and triwall boxes would be best for the heavy stuff.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Yep, the heavy stuff is the hardest challenge. It's been a tough day guys, it's 108 degrees in the shop as we speak, even the A/C office is joke at these temps. A few cold ones from now and it will be alright. I am going to take pictures of this stuff next week though, and send you guys, so you see what the boxes look like,, they are pretty thrashed.

 

[Bugeye58]

Hap, I'd let people know that for about ten bucks they can knock together a crate with internal support for the engine that will insure that everything arrives safely. I've got one here that's been cross country at least four times and is still as good as new. I think I've got about $5 in it, (1998 dollars) not counting the old Sprite motor mount pedestals I used for the front mounts.
Jeff

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Brings up a good question. Hap, are you shipping Drew's engine back via freight?

 

[Thor]

I have a thought, how about having detailed packing instructions or a required packing method to help you and your customers?

I am pretty impressed by Droozartz's response. Talk about owing up to something, wow.

I know I've got little knowledge on how to ship heavy items like a motor or tranny. A list of acceptable methods or detailed instructions on how to best ship such an item would have helped me get my item to you as safe as possible.

 

[bugimike]

I would echo Jeffs comment! A few rectangles of 3/8" - 1/2" plywood and 1" x 2"s, cardboard, tight packing/solid securing and some creative thinking will (pardon the pun!) go a long way!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

 

[BIBBER]

Hap...excuse me if I'm wrong but isn't it easier and better to ship engines strapped down to a pallet via freight...most the poor UPS type guys go postal anyway now sincethose type shipping companies started allowing the weight increases....just my opinion, but seems a sane one!!!

 

[mccalebr]

Here's a photo of a handy engine pallet I made a year or so ago; I needed to transport the engine almost a thousand miles. The framed in square in the middle was for the Winner's Circle competition oil pan; it could easily have been framed to fit the standard oil pan. The angled cross members serve as hand holds; a man on each end and you can walk away with it. The eye bolts are for ratcheting tie downs and the outriggers, running cross ways, keep it from tipping over. The outriggers and handles are outside the outer dimensions of an A series engine, so it can be easily boxed with 1/4" plywood (with bracing) for shipping. I tied it down using the rails and aluminum dogs in my truck floor and bagged it with a heavy duty leaf bag with a bungee around the bottom in the event of weather.

I'm looking forward to using it again this winter when I go up to Hap's to bring home the new baby /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Ray

 

[BIBBER]

Ray..that's awesome and if your going to reuse sensible...but wood pallets can be picked up at nearly any business that takes in freight shipments...farm supplies are nortious for stacks of em in the back wanting someone to take them away....typically you can take a saw and cut out the middle boards and the engine will set right in...rope or strap it on and anyway she goes....

 

[drooartz]

Motor will be coming back freight -- it will be fully assembled. I was shipping the motor dissassembled in a couple of boxes.

Humbling moment when your best intentions go awry. Hap explained the need to pack carefully, but I obviously didn't think my implementation all the way through. I owe him a couple cold ones now for his trouble...

 

[Silverghost]

I have a Bachelor Of Science in Packaging Engineering and worked for 12 years as a Packaging Designer. Here's my 3 cents....(inflation) /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Corrugated containers aka cardboard boxes are not intended to contain items like crankshafts, engine blocks, etc. Nor are peanuts and bubble wrap intended to keep heavy items from entering the outside world. Boxes and dunnage - peanuts and bubble wrap - are intended to keep the outside world out. There is a whole industry dedicated to setting standards as to what a corrugated container can be expected to be capable of.

A very short course in shipping heavy items...ie 35-45 lbs or more: protect the item by wrapping it in bubble wrap and/or paper or something so that it DOES NOT move around inside the box. Then buy some 2x4s and cut them 4 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the box and nail them together to form a platform to set the box on. Then take the box and the platform aka pallet to your local shipping company - Yellow Freight, etc. and arrange for shipping. Generally speaking UPS, etc. do not take items over 75 lbs. It is a union thing. (I worked as a loader at a UPS center in my college days. We HATED those over weight boxes.) Have the shipping carrier strap the box to the pallet with two straps width direction and 2 straps length direction. They should have the banding equipment.

The banding equipment is also available from U-Line if you ship heavy items on a regular basis. The equipment and a longtime supply of banding material can be had for a reasonable price. Harbor Freight may also have it.

This way the item should arrive at the destination in good condition and you will have a happy customer. If you think the time and materials seems pricey, consider this: How many TR3 crankshafts, etc. are out there and readily available, and much will it cost you to pay to have the item shipped back to you, find and buy a replacement - if you can - and ship it back to the customer? And then you have someone very excited about their LBC who is now very irritated that they didn't make the meet they were planning on. There is a saying build 1000 bridges and no one calls you a bridge builder, steal one egg and you are a thief the rest of your life. A few more dollars spent will go a LONG way.

Ok, that's my 3 cents. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[tosoutherncars]

I must say, I'm amazed at everyone's nodding acceptance of this thread.

If I had recently announced on a public forum that I was going to be sending my engine (and a few thousand dollars) to a supplier, and then I came across such a thread... let's just say we would soon be having words about appropriate venues for customer feedback! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

That's just my opinion, of course... Drew obviously appreciates the packing suggestions in the spirit in which they were given, which is very big of him. And yes, it is useful to get a little insight as to how to things *should* be done.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Hap has been very helpful around here, and I believe his post was more for his benefit than ours. We all need to vent and rant from time to time. Most here are just helping out Hap by letting him rant. ...things would be different if he ranted more than helped.

 

[kcbugeye1275]

Nobody is perfect and I agree with Trevor. Hap is an asset we all enjoy and appreciate. Boy, it has been hot almost everywhere.

 

[drooartz]

Although personally embarrassing (and note, Hap didn't name names, I chose to fess up myself), I'm glad that Hap made this post. Hopefully other folks like myself who are new to this LBC thing will be able to learn from my mistake here. I know I have.

Constructive venting is a good thing, Hopefully Hap has a better day today! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[jlaird]

Yep, Hap is one of us. He is a little car guy first who just happens to be in the business helping us all out.

When Hap speaks we listen.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I must say, I'm amazed at everyone's nodding acceptance of this thread.

If I had recently announced on a public forum that I was going to be sending my engine (and a few thousand dollars) to a supplier, and then I came across such a thread... let's just say we would soon be having words about appropriate venues for customer feedback! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

Well that's your take on it. I'm in the business of trying to do the best job I can, if it ever gets to the point I can't express myself in a honest way, after all I didn't mention any names and it wasn't just Drew, then I wouldn't do this anymore. Look I'm a real dude guy, not a corporate robot, I used to do the corporate thing, it was too fake for me in most cases, in todays word that ought to be kind of refreshing. I've work with race drivers all my adult life, seen some crazy stuff and when it comes to taking care of you stuff or getting in a race car and risking your life, well then being PC will get you killed or your pieces thrashed, call it tough love or whatever you will, it's me and always will be. I'm not mad at Drew, and the above 100 degree temps in my shop yesterday reflected my mood. If I offended anyone, I'm sorry, but make no bones about it Drew didn't pick me to build his engine because I'm a diplomat, he chose me to do his becasue he beleives in my abilties, and in that that avenue you better believe I'll try my very best not to disappoint him. Dude if you want a PC robot, I'm not him, but you'll have to look long and hard to find the passion, and morals I try to pocess everyday of my life. OK, now that we've got the PC crap out of the way, back to packing /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif