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Modeling in General
General discussions about modeling topics.
What to do when moving
ltb073
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New York, United States
Member Since: March 08, 2010
entire network: 3,662 Posts
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Posted: Friday, July 21, 2017 - 07:18 PM UTC
Folk I need some advice see title. I have over 110 1/35 build vehicles, 25 planes, and about 25 dioramas, all built sitting in my basement. They were all built for campaigns here just look at my profile. Do to troubles at home I may be forced to leave. So my question is what do I do with all these kits and or how do I pack them up for storage.
Tojo72
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North Carolina, United States
Member Since: June 06, 2006
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Posted: Friday, July 21, 2017 - 09:50 PM UTC
Sorry about your problems Sal,hope all works out.The day I dread is probably coming next year when I will be making an intersate move with all my completed builds.Not looking forward to that part of it.

I seem to remember lots of threads on packing,i'm sure you will get some advice
JClapp
#259
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Massachusetts, United States
Member Since: October 23, 2011
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Posted: Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 12:14 AM UTC
You will need a whole bunch of cardboard boxes. Liquor stores especially the big box 'warehouse' type stores usually have lots of them that you are welcome to take.
You also need a huge bag of styrofoam peanuts, this is really the best material for built models. this can be had at "the UPS store". lastly you will also need a couple rolls of wide masking tape.

Small bits will inevitably break off in transit. vehicles and tanks can be put inside plastic grocery bags before being immersed in peanuts, to keep stray bits from getting lost in the peanuts. Accept that minor repairs will be needed when you finally get to unpack.

you will also need someplace to stack the boxes. you might rent a storage unit or a friends garage? I cant advise you there.

Sounds like a boat load of work ahead of you. best luck.
Dragon164
#226
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British Columbia, Canada
Member Since: February 20, 2012
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Posted: Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 01:52 AM UTC
Sal,
Try to find a manufacturing plant nearby they will be getting rid of double wall boxes that are stronger and use packing tape it will stand up better than masking tape.

Cheers Rob.
Scarred
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Washington, United States
Member Since: March 11, 2016
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Posted: Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 04:22 AM UTC
Having shipped completed models from all over the world when I transferred I learned a few things the hard way. Some guys would bag their models before boxing but I found I more difficult getting it in a bag without breaking off bits of plastic. If it looks like it could break off, remove it before it can. Remove machine guns, stowage, cupola, turrets if you can. Remove the turret and put it in the box beside the tank in a way to remove the stress from the gun barrel. Put the parts in a ziplock bag, label it and put it in the box with the tank. Put a layer of something shock absorbent in the bottom of the box, I used my folded up t-shirts with one folded to fit between the tracks so the tank rested on the hull not the tracks to protect the road wheels. Place the tank in the box lightly put peanuts around it and sealed the box. Keep it oriented so the box doesn't roll around. Airplanes were more difficult to ship world wide. I removed the props, landing gear, wing stores, antennas. If I couldn't remove the antennas or other things I'd build protective covers out of thin cardboard, I'd put the shields in place, wrap the fuselage and shields with plastic wrap than used tape to secure it. The plane went into a box with soft supports keeping it from sitting directly on the bottom of the boxed. I used my rolled up socks. Once I was satisfied I'd tape the plane and socks to the bottom of the box, since the plane was pretty well wrapped in plastic I didn't have to worry about the tape removing paint and decals. Carefully add peanuts and sealed the box. Marked the box "fragile this side up" but this was largely ignored by non english speaking movers.

Be prepared to have some damage. For me it was always the canopies that would come loose but they are also the easiest to repair. At least it doesn't sound like you have low bid foreign contractors packing you out so you can control how much shaking and jarring your models will receive. You can get peanuts at the UPS store or other mail places, usually free and once you unpack you can give them back. After sorting them for any missing parts.
ltb073
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New York, United States
Member Since: March 08, 2010
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Posted: Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 04:26 PM UTC
Thank for the advice guys I guess I will be buy some of those peanuts
Scarred
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Washington, United States
Member Since: March 11, 2016
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Posted: Saturday, July 22, 2017 - 06:20 PM UTC
If you got a package shipping store or a UPS store go ask for some. They'll give you all you want and take them back. Plus you can pick up used boxes there. Sometimes free, sometimes for pennies.
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