Packing and moving models?

I moved my collection across country twice, not to mention shipped many to people I had built for including large sailing ships. I prefer the styrofoam block method. I suspend the plane off the styrofoam with toothpicks or wooden dowels. then I strap the model onto the styrofoam block with monofiliment line by poking holes into the block and wrapping the line around it. I have also used strapping tape with paper over the model so the tape doesn't stick to the model.
I then place the entire assembly in a rubbermaid container and fill it with cotton that is used for stuffing teddybears. I also have used florist blocks, those green blocks that they use for bouques, and cut out an outlins of the model, say a ship hull or car, and place it in the block, cover it with cotton, and put it in the container.
Anther container that works well is accounting file boxes. These come in a wide array of sizes, stack well in a van or storage unit, have a top that lifts off and ties shut, are strong double ply, and have handles.
The problem I had with using peanuts or paper was when a part fell off, it was next to impossible to find it without a lot of sifting and then having to clean up the mess. With cotton, the part will stick to the cotton and stay in the proximity of where it fell off at.
Good Luck

Scott

Do you have to pack them? When I moved, I just took what I could safely move across town, in the car. It took several trips, but they all made it.

Thanks for all of the advice. I appreciate it!

Steve

QUOTE: Originally posted by upnorth I packed up my models for storage and possible shipment before leaving Canada. I used a hint I saw in FSM a few years back. Use packing peanuts or finely shredded paper from a paper shredder and line a plastic storage box with it, making shure the box has enough room for the model or models as the case may be. wrap the model in a layer of tissue paper to avoid the finish from getting scuffed, then fill the rest of the box up with peanuts or paper shreds. Close the plastic box and put it in a cardboard box and use som e wadded up newspaper to pack around it as shock absorbing material.

......anchoring the model to a styrofoam block & suspending it (or them) amidst your chosen packing material along with Kevan's (above) methodology has worked in shipping two dioramas and four in work projects from Dallas to upstate N.Y. and then over here to Belfast.......
one or two miniscule repairs to an item or two on each & voila'.........the modelling God was watching over me......
best of luck to ya jetav8r.......

i build models for people mostly, and that means alot of transporting. its VERY time consuming, but if the model is your pride and joy, i would make custom boxes. just get enough cardboard to make a box just the right dimensions for the model, then use some high densitiy foam to make little slots for the tail and wings. slot the model's wings into the foam, and then put the foam into the box, having measured everything so that there is little if no play. think the packaging you get when you open up a new TV. no damage. you wont damage even a 1/72 pitot tube, since there is no contact at all anywhere but the wings which are strong. its a little difficult to understand just writing here, but email me at reg_the_ruler@hotmail.com and ill be more than happy to tell you more

I've moved home seven times now and used yours and Swanny's method-worked out fine. Good luck with your move!

I would use some thin cardboard or poster paper.Cut and score into small box to fit around the pilot tubes and propellers.Tape to wings and when you have all the pieces that will break fitted with these boxes,air cap wrap or know as bubble warp.Then put into box and use peanuts or paper for extra cushion.You can do this also for ships and tanks.Digger

I packed up my models for storage and possible shipment before leaving Canada. I used a hint I saw in FSM a few years back.

Use packing peanuts or finely shredded paper from a paper shredder and line a plastic storage box with it, making shure the box has enough room for the model or models as the case may be. wrap the model in a layer of tissue paper to avoid the finish from getting scuffed, then fill the rest of the box up with peanuts or paper shreds.

Close the plastic box and put it in a cardboard box and use som e wadded up newspaper to pack around it as shock absorbing material.

Thanks a lot. I will do that. Luckily it is across town and not across the country so hopefully the short distance will prevent too much damage.

Thanks again!
Steve

That's provbably your best bet for moving a large collection. I moved about a hundred 1/48 aircraft that way and had several wheels and pitot tubes break off. No serious damage that was unrepairable occured. Just look through those peanuts carefully when you unpack to collect the little pieces.