Moving shop across country

[beetee3]

Anyone have experience of packing up your shop machinery for a long distance move? Did you crate up your tools, or ship them as-is as hope for the best? Or ?
I am facing a move from left coast to right coast in the coming months. Thankfully I don't have any Big Iron to pack, just the BT3100, 13" planer, 6" short bed benchtop jointer, midi lathe, 12" bandsaw, dust collector (appropriately named over the last couple of years I'm afraid), CMS, mortiser, benchtop drill press, routers, etc, etc. It seems that just about everything has hard pointy corners or breakable sticky-out parts.
Still debating whether to try a PODS-type containerized moving service or a regular full service mover.

[atgcpaul]

I moved from CA to MD 8 years ago. My biggest tools were the BT3100 and my lunch box planer, though. We only had a 2 bedroom townhouse then so we used a PODS-like company mainly for the price. The BT3 was easy since it breaks down and the planer is pretty solid. I found them good spots in my garage pod and used ropes (there are tie-off points inside the pod) to prevent things from shifting. My garage pod also contained my workbench which probably weighs as much as 5 sheets of MDF. I boxed all the smaller shop stuff like routers, drills, etc, and tried to keep them together. There is a weight limit on the pods, though.

Even if I used real movers and had the tools I have now--cabinet saw, big BS, DC, midi-lathe, etc--I would still try to break them down to the smallest manageable nonbreakable components. You should still consider extra insurance on those items.

Paul

[durango dude]

I've moved a few times.

If you're paying a mover - the cost of moving the BT isn't worth it.
Movers fuss about weight. They tend to over-estimate the weight of something like a BT.

Next time I move
- I'll sell my Table Saw, and buy another one at the destination (relatively easy to find a replacement)
- I'll sell my ShopSmith, and buy an appropriate replacement (very easy to find a replacement)
(in my case - I mostly use the drill press )
- I'll move the rest of my equipment (Band Saw, Jointer, lunch box planer) in a tow-behind U-Haul.
(my back might pay - but I won't be paying a mover).

Just my opinion!

[capncarl]

My last move was on me, no professional movers in the budget, and it required moving into on site semi trailers for 6 months, then to storage units for a year, then by car trailer to the final destination all within 20 miles. My back demanded that everything possible would have to have wheels (casters). I built wheeled plywood boxes about the size of a washing machine for all the small stuff. This size because it has to be able to roll up/down a narrow truck ramp. It does not take a lot of this size box as they hold a lot of stuff. The heavy equipment was last, it was set on a home made wheeled wood equipment bases, bolted, wrapped with poly and strapped with cheap motorcycle ratchet straps for good measure. This took several hundred $ in casters but I am still using them today. I am glad that I was able to find 4" casters at a reasonable rate because any smaller casters that I used have had to be replaced with larger casters. The plywood boxes became shelving later. The next size storage container I used was the clear plastic box with lids that are about the size of a small trunk, great for household items as well.

I think that durango dude is right about the larger tools for a long move. Sell them and replace when you get into the new shop. In 2 years I've been able to replace every large tool I have with better stuff by watching the classifieds.
Good luck
capncarl

[leehljp]

I had a company mover for my Japan - USA move, but even then I sold some big tools - Band saw, my large router table - minus the router, work tables, air compressor, a drill press, and a couple of others.

I did bring my thickness planer, hand tools, 12" lathe, 12" Makita CSMS, sharpening tools of many kinds, and BT3000. I took it totally apart and re-assembled it. Still have one problem with it and haven't had time to fix it.

I started packing tools into boxes about 6 months before and rather enjoyed the time with my tools. I even made some wood boxes for some (especially the CSMS). I didn't trust the packers with my tools!

[dbhost]

I am talking with companies out west trying to get out of where I am now. (Want to be near my parents while I can...). My plan is the following.

#1. Benchtop tools will be broken down as much as reasonable, and wrapped in shipping blankets, and stowed in totes. The totes filled with wrapped hand tools etc...
#2. I will sell off a few tools that are easily and cheaply replaced like the Miter Saw.
#3. I may sell off the BT, I REALLY want a SawStop. This might be a good excuse. I love my BT, but I am getting a nervous itch for a SS...
#4. My lathe is going to be taken off the stand, stand broken down and secured tightly. Similar break down for dust collector.
#5. Benches are staying put. Probably offer them up here first, then if no takers toss them to the curb. Mind you, I am keeping the vices...
#6. All chemicals, finishes, cleaners, protectants etc... will be donated to local members, friends, and family.

Redundant stuff, like the extra tape measures, box knives, free harbor freight screwdriver sets etc... will be given away. Minimize the crap basically. Similar excess donations are ongoing (Recently DOD wiped, and reloaded 4 32 bit computers to get them out of my office. The back wall of my dining room is full of junk I am inventorying and taking to goodwill this weekend. Cha Ching tax deductions!

My lumber stash will be sold at a good price. Get me some cash, get someone else a good deal. No takers at my rates I will drag it with me...

Given proper and careful breakdown, and stowage into the truck, I am sure I can get my entire shop in the first few feet of the front of a rental truck.

[jdon]

Before investing in a bunch of totes, try packing one with some of your typical tools, and see whether it (and you!) are strong enough to support the contents. DAMHIKT.

[beetee3]

Thanks all. I guess I will try my luck in the Member Classifieds forum and Craigs List. That will be item 1002 on my list of things to do before this move can happen. What doesn't sell will have to get packed.

Capncarl - I like your suggestion of crating multiple tools together in a plywood roll cage. An internal web of strategically placed 2x3 scraps screwed in place should keep everything securely in place during transit. I already have some HF 4" swivel casters that I removed from the planer's shop-built mobile base last weekend.

[akronee]

Hardwood

Didn't have any problems with any of the tools. I moved from CO to VA this summer, so since the humidity was going to change drastically, I made sure every iron surface was coated; that worked out well. I also made sure to breakdown everything as small as I could....less worries with the movers.

A big part was moving the my lumber. I had some nice pieces of acacia, lacewood, etc. that I wanted moved but the humidity could have been disastrous. I had the company build a crate with good open sides, and spacers in between everything for airflow. Of course you can't ship Walnut from there because of the blight.