Man, this blog post has been sitting around for a good year now, always so close to being finished; now it is here!
Whether you sell typewriters, or buy typewriters online, knowing the right way to ship them is critical. They have always been an easy money maker for me, and they can be for you too! Shipping the right way is harder than throwing it in a box, but the peace of mind is priceless. Here's how.
The basic idea is just to 1) secure all moving parts and 2) provide adequate cushioning. Lets break it down!
1.Put bubble wrap or crumbled newspaper inside the type basket.
2. VERY IMPORTANT!!! --- Tape down the carriage release . You want the carriage to slide freely. When the carriage is "engaged", as in normal use, its held in place by one little metal catch; if it is shipped this way all the forces exerted on the carriage stress against that one little metal catch, which is pretty easy to break if the machine is being tossed around during shipping.
3. Wrap all moving parts, especially the carriage, in saran wrap. The carriage should be free moving -- But not allowed to move. Get it? good.
4. Wrap the entire typewriter, from all angles and sides in regular normal thickness bubble wrap - the whole thing should be encased in bubble wrap, a few layers thick, and then taped up. With the exception of one, all typewriters I've sold include a carrying case, so you don't have much room for this step. That's ok. Layer the bottom of the case before you put it in.
5. Place typewriter in carrying case and fill all excess space. Close it up. Get bubble wrap in every nook and cranny. If it is difficult to get the case closed, good.
6. Place the carrying case inside the second box -- make sure there are 4 to 6 inches of space on all sides (including the bottom, so pour a layer of packing peanuts before putting the first one in) and fill the excess space completely with packing peanuts, or something similar. The goal is to provide 4 to 6 inches of cushioning on all sides of the first box while it travels. With your standard size carrying case, I recommend the second box be 20" by 20" by 15" to 18".
7. Tape up the second box, make sure to mark which side is up, and that the contents are fragile.
All done! Congratulations, you have successfully package a vintage typewriter, crack open a beer and reward all your hard work.
Has all this reading about typewriters put you in the mood to purchase one for yourself or a loved one this holiday season? You're in luck! Manly Vintage has three avaliable on Craigslist as we speak. Go here for more info.
