Shipping the barrel

So I found the grey bin at Walmart. I think it was $6-8. Then as I was wondering how to pack around the barrel I looked in the sporting goods area and found the styrofoam cooler for $2. And it fit perfectly in the bin. Highlight of my day. But it got better. When I got home I had a cardboard box (probably Amazon) that fit in the bottom of the cooler. And the barrel sat nicely in the box.



The cooler lid was too high so instead I cut off the outside of the lid, inverted it and pushed it down on top of the barrel. I still needed a spacer.



An empty box proved to be a good spacer. Once the lid was on everything was super secure.

The lid went on and I used the @grandpaul method and drilled holes and zip tied the lid on. I recently shipped a Triumph engine back east and the frigid temps cracked the plastic pin, luckily I wrapped the bin with Gorilla Tape. I did the same thing here but I think it's warmer in Colorado that it was back east.

We'll have to wait for @comnoz to report how the packing job worked when he gets it next week.

It might be overkill but I'd rather pay a little more to know the barrel will get there and back safely. They don't make them anymore, you know...

I don't like those wimpy tubs, I get the heavy duty ones from Home Depot, Black with Yellow top. When it's a bare cylinder, I pad underneath a bit more.

grandpaul said:

I don't like those wimpy tubs, I get the heavy duty ones from Home Depot, Black with Yellow top. When it's a bare cylinder, I pad underneath a bit more.

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That’s what I used for the engine. Let's see how this one survives. I think I used the wimpy one to ship the crankcase and crank and it worked fine.

Stranger things have been known to happen.

I've had those wimpy ones break with not-so-heavy stuff in them, just from shoving them over to a corner. Have yet to have one of the corrugated / heavy-duty ones break...

I just received my order from Andover with my new barrels in it, No where near that size.

Hortons Norton said:

I just received my order from Andover with my new barrels in it, No where near that size.

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Picture of box?

I shipped a head to comnoz in a 5 gallon plastic bucket, padded all around and top and bottom with 2 inch foam. The cover was secured with 3 #8 sheet metal screws. Worked out well for both of us. A barrel in a bucket would ship same way as well.

Slick

I'll get back to the storage unit in a couple of days, I didn't even have time to open it. But I will get a picture for you, Chuck.

I have used a good quality cooler with a handle to ship heavy items such as a gearbox. Wrapped it in bubble wrap and packed foam all around it.
Worked very well.
John in Texas

I am always really impressed when I get my parts from Andover Norton, packing is always done well.

Every inch and ounce matters when shipping overseas! So far it looks like two cardboard boxes, but what will be interesting is the next layer.

It's three so far.

I guess I should have opened it up, next time I get down there.

My method (and it has stood the test of time) requires a band saw and lots of cardboard. I cut many sheets about 6 layers thick (more is better) with the top and bottom being the biggest. For the bottom I cut two big holes to fit around the actual round cylinders so it fits on the strong cast iron base and rises at least 6 sheets above the cylinder. This requires finding the proper size box in the first place, usually a heavy duty one from UPS or FEDEX. Wrap well in packing tape. No broken fins yet. I have shipped heads, cylinders and crankshafts using this method. Takes a long time and the band saw is the best tool. SAVE THE BOX! The outer box will survive at least three trips back and forth. If you used a standard UPS box then a replacement is easy to find.

Sounds like the barrel arrived in one piece according to Jim. I'll call that a win.