Re: Need advice about packing and shipping a microscope

On Feb 28, 2:13 pm, shog...@xxxxxxxx wrote:
Hello! I need some advice about packing and shipping a microscope
before listing it on ebay and I was hoping the members of this group
might be able to help me. It's a Carl Zeiss vintage with carrying
case. I'm afraid to try to pack it myself after reading some people's
bad experiences on this forum. Does anyone have experience with
professional packing services (eg mailboxes etc, fedex) and
microscopes? Should I make sure they put material inside the carrying
case as well even though the case is designed to hold the microscope,
objectives, and slide box securely? Any advice much appreciated.
Thanks.

It is quite possible to pack and ship a small microscope safely (large
heavy scopes are more difficult). I have shipped microscopes all over
the world, as far as Namibia and Australia. The key is to separate and
wrap parts in foam or bubble wrap so that none are in direct contact
within anything except cushioning, including the box side, and they
cannot move in the box. Remove the head and optical parts that have
connections that cannot take stress from shock and weight, and cover
them in plastic bags to keep them clean, before wrapping them in
cushioning materials. Put cushioning material under and over the stage
so it cannot move. Tape all cushioning material securely around each
piece. Pack everything tightly in the case or box so nothing can shift
around, and so everything has a lot of cushioning around it. If
necessary, fill in empty spaces with packing peanuts (my friends call
that "angel poop"). Double-box it, using cushioning between the inner
and outer boxes. Your goal is no damage after the shipper drops it
upside down onto a concrete floor, or after heavy boxes are piled on
top of it. It is good to pack it in your microscope case, but remove
parts for separate wrapping anyway and be sure to fill it tightly with
cushioning so it cannot move within the case. And then protect the
case within the box. Use plenty of strong tape at all box seams. I
put "fragile" stickes on all sides although it is not clear how much
that helps. If possible use priority mail or a fast shipping rate
(most items that go this way are small and so will not crush your
box). I also buy insurance if it is available, although collecting for
damage can be a hassle. Then, cross your fingers!


.

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