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Well, my movers come Friday to start packing up all our stuff. Does anybody have any advice for moving the shop/wood/power tools? I've never had to move this type of stuff before so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I really want to avoid the situation like last time where they loaded our piano on top of some guitar cases. Hmm, I wonder what that cracking sound is???? DUH!!!! I can take a little with me, but most items will need to be packed and shipped.

Thanks!

John

I have found shrink wrap to be one of my best friends.

Hey John, Unless that shop has wheels on it, I bet it will be a booger to move. I think there is a couple of Sky-Cranes still in operation

Seriously, I would watch the packing and loading process if at all possible. If you are lucky, maybe you will get movers that actually care about safely moving your belongings.

As Brian said, the shrink wrap or cling wrap and some moving blankets will help. Happy Trails.

John, I havent finished my move yet but one thing that worked well so far is I put my backs and sides in "space bags" that I bought from a bedding store. Giant zip lock bags that have a one way port to connect the shop vac to. Suck all the air out with a pc of plywood top and bottom keeps the wood protected, dry and flat. Also small expensive things I would pack myself and seal the boxes with tape.

John I just finished moving.. here are my tips:

#1 at the top of the list for a reason... Hire a *certified bonded* moving company for the heavy tools (don't use the normal moving company find a specialist), it's well worth the investment (not much for just a shop). I knew all my places before they got there and once the tools where in position I have not had to move them. Also these guys move stuff like this all the time, when I move it I end spending a week on my back because I threw it out...

#2 box up like items and mark them clearly, for instance all my hand tools (Chisels, saws etc) for the workbench went together in two boxes, same with all the hand planes, it made putting things back easy.

#3 this is so obvious but I have to mention it, mark EVERY SINGLE BOX with the contents of it, and then move them to where you think they will end up. Trust me it makes unpacking SOOOOOO much easier. I spent 30 minutes rummaging for the dremel violin purfling tool tonight. My wife moved it into another box and I thought it was gone.

#4 Make a list of each box's contents and keep that handy so you can track stuff.

#5 expect to spend some time with each tool calibrating, even though these guys where very careful I still had to re-align some things...

Cheers

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

   I to just moved this year so here is what I can tell ya. Have an auction and sell everything , then buy new. Actually I had a good friend that helped. I used alot of boxes and tape. The tools were the hardest part as a mill isn't light.
    Be sure and mark your boxes so you know where what is and get the tool storage units and heavy stuff on the back of the truck so you can get that out first.
    Have lots of coffee and good luck. I don't wish that on my worst enemy. Moving is a great way to clean your shop and find all those little things we put away for safe keeping.
   

stock up on valium...

I will be going through the same thing later this year. I keep trying to come up with a plan, but everytime I go to the shop I just stand there and stare at everything.

Probably will just borrow my father-in-law's trailer and move most of it myself.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention one thing. If our house sells before the new one is finished I'll get to move everything twice.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

i've done it several times before and will be doing it again in the next month or so. everytime i ask my self "where did all this stuff come from?" as i stand gazing at the daunting task confronting me.

given the relatively low cost of hiring a u-haul, it is far more productive and efficient than messing around with a trailer.

get everything packed then hold a moving party and invite the friends; have a bbq and ample libations at the end of the day. turn it into a social event. many hands make light work and it is not so depressing when filled space turns into empty space and vice versa in a short period of time.

I never had a problem at the beginning of a move. The problem is when the house is effectively empty, but there are still 20 boxes left to pack. That's the killer.

A more common problem is when the new house is effectively full and there are still 20 boxes left to UNpack! Another killer...