Moving a home lab - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:11:44 am
content: I am looking at the daunting task of moving my home lab across Canada.Any pointers on the move so all my stuff makes it the the other end with minimal losses?Over the years I have collected allot more parts than I realized.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:15:36 am
content: Sell and throw away as many stuff as possible before the move.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:17:46 am
content: I sure hope that is not my final solution.That would be 500 PICs alone tossed.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: Six_Shooter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:27:13 am
content: If your passing through Ontario and want to unload some of it, I'm here.I think the same thing applies here as it would be if you were shipping any of it out to someone else. Carefully pack everything, ensuring that non of the boxes will break open and are padded well.Depending on how much stuff you have and how far you are going you might want to look into using a pallet (or two) and shipping it to your new address, or depot, using an LTL (less than load) shipping company.

author: walshms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:30:30 am
content: That depends on exactly how you're doing it.You could rent something like what I've seen called "PODS" -- portable, on-demand storage, and pack everything up in that. It's like a shipping container, but smaller, and you can put your own locks on it. They're dropped off, you pack it up, and on moving day they pick it up with a truck and take it to your new home.Whatever you do, invest in proper packing materials for the sensitive gear. Lots of bubble-wrap, foam, moving blankets, etc. to cushion the bumps and inevitable bouncing around any road-based solution will cause. What I've done in the past was to first wrap everything in a couple of layers of bubble wrap, then pack it into boxes with foam (including top and bottom), put everything into stacks and pallet-wrap the stacks so that they can be easily picked up with a hand truck and wheeled out. If you do it right, not only will the move go faster, it'll be far less likely that your sensitive stuff will be damaged.Valuables and other things you absolutely cannot lose must stay with you. Pack them in the car, or a trailer, and tow that yourself.If you use a professional mover, ask them about putting your own locks on the trailers, and then invest in some really good, high-security locks.Good luck!

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:44:51 am
content: I will be using a moving it with my household with a moving company.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:46:59 am
content: Quote from: Six_Shooter on November 30, 2013, 04:27:13 amOntario is end of the line for me. So not that big of an advantage.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:49:15 am
content: I'm in Edmonton if you want to get rid of stuff.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:51:37 am
content: Quote from: walshms on November 30, 2013, 04:30:30 amI was thinking of using the original packaging (tubes, shielded bags) then vacuum sealing for the chips.The thousands of bulk parts I have no idea yet.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:53:48 am
content: Quote from: Fsck on November 30, 2013, 04:49:15 amLol I will hopefully fly. The drive is long and boarding solo. Not the mention the mountain passes in the winter.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:59:40 am
content: this was a problem for me but limit bubblewrap to light equipment, the stuff pops way too easy with anything of notable mass. but then again, I had to cross ~60km of gravel highway and ~100km of permafrosted highway (think rollercoaster bumpiness)may not be too much of a problem west-east crosscountry.

author: jabramo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 05:04:04 am
content: Quote from: WarSim on November 30, 2013, 04:53:48 amDrove from ~Toronto to Fort McMurray Alberta (~3700 Km) solo to drop off a car for my friend. Stopped a few times for food and a seven hour sleep in the passenger seat of a G37. Would not do again haha

author: Six_Shooter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 05:09:38 am
content: Quote from: WarSim on November 30, 2013, 04:46:59 amLOL.Where abouts are you moving to? It sounds like you're coming from B.C.?

author: MacAttak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 05:55:56 am
content: Really, sell as much as you can - it is very costly to move things (often more than they are worth). If you haven't used parts yet then you probably won't (ever). I'm betting that you will survive the ordeal.Keep your (truly) expensive and often-used gear, but sell the other crap that is probably just piled up. If your workshop looks anything like 90% of those I've seen photos of herethen I'm willing to bet you will be just fine if you only keep 1/10 of it.And besides, after clearing out all the crap you actually don't need/use, then you will have PLENTY of space to get MORE stuff. And that's the part that's fun isn't it? Thegettingof stuff?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 06:30:37 am
content: Use a lot of packaging on the stuff. Bulk loose pack in small plastic bags that you either seal or tie with tie wraps, and pack them in boxes with 3 layers of bubble wrap at the bottom, 1 layer between each bag and 3 layers on top. Close with tape and use 2 layer corrugated boxes. Tubes and such place in bags long enough to contain them and close the end so as to keep the bungs in. Pack in boxes as with bulk, if the box is tall enough you can mix them. Test equipment wrap all round with 5 wraps of bubble wrap, then use pallet wrap to seal the pack, then place in a box with all extra space filled with either other bubble wrapped blobs or more bubble wrap. Take all the boxes and pallet wrap individually and tape the wrap down with 2 crossed strips across the top. Then you can palletise them into stacks and use standard pallets to hold the stacks for the moving company to move as a unit, just get pallets ( cheap and you either rent them from CHEP or buy them or get used ones) and tell the movers to bring a pallet jack and to have a Mounty to move then into the container or truck. Just make sure the doors that they have to go through are able to handle the pallets or pack them in a garage and palletise them there. They will be handled as "Customer packed" parcels, so you will need extra insurance, and photograph each box as it is filled just in case.When I moved last with a moving company ( last 3 were DIY with me and one helper) they were not happy that they had to carry up 5 floors as the lift was out of service for a breakdown. They were very unhappy humping a washing machine up 5 floors. When I was unpacking I found they packed everything, including the garbage in the pedal bin.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 03:22:42 pm
content: Quote from: Six_Shooter on November 30, 2013, 05:09:38 amYep, Vancouver island to Deep South Ontario.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 03:48:06 pm
content: Quote from: SeanB on November 30, 2013, 06:30:37 amI was hoping not to go to that packaging extreme. There is a floating laminate floor between my lab and exit, a palate jack would ruin it. My solution will need to be a bit different.Yes they will pack everything possible.Here is two stories on the same topic.I had 2 garbage bags of stuff they refused to take. On my way out the pack supervisor asked be a question. I had to put down the garbage bags to get to him. In that short time they disappeared. On the other end I they showed up again. All the stuff they refused to move was packed and moved.I often sold some furniture with my home so I put huge signs saying "Do Not Move or Pack!". Three time I got word from the buyers that they can't find the furniture. During my unpack I took pictures of the furniture as it was unpacked with the big do not pack signs still attached. After some negotiations they moved them back.I don't care if the packers/movers are fluent in English, or even French. The estimators do need to know how to clearly indicate what is not to be packed so the packers and movers know what to do. I am annoyed when I have to buy cloths because my luggage got moved.One company said I had to move all items that are staying out of the house prior to their arrival. They did not get the contract.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 04:17:43 pm
content: One thing that I found important is to use uniform size boxes. Don't try to save money with scrounged boxes, just buy new ones. In the US, Lowe's sells book boxes with hand holes for $0.70 each. You need to fill them so they won't crush in transit, so make a pile of smaller items (bagged parts, manuals) you can use for that.Full service movers won't insure stuff you pack yourself, and they charge by weight, so you might find it more cost effective to ship your heavy lab contents separately via a self-move service (since they charge by volume). That also lets you put the heavier boxes on the bottom of the pile, which most movers will not be able to manage.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 05:08:48 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on November 30, 2013, 04:17:43 pmI only have three heavy boxes. A PCB mill with shipping box and a two boxes of magnetics and wire. So I will probably just accept the "full service" movers costs.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: Six_Shooter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 06:33:57 pm
content: Quote from: WarSim on November 30, 2013, 03:22:42 pmCool, I'm not quite "deep southern Ontario", but I am in Southern Ontario, about an hour south west of T.O.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 11:48:46 pm
content: I guess renting a truck and drive it yourself is out of the question?Either way I'd just pack components and so on in boxes. I would drive the more delicate stuff (computers, oscilloscope, etc) myself but since you have quite a long distance to cover you may want to stay in hotels with a secure parking garage.

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 12:09:33 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on November 30, 2013, 11:48:46 pmit's like the better part of a week to drive that. and in winter, is definitely precarious at best.

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 03:06:17 am
content: @warsim:I have done the reverse move many times. My family is from Manitoba and we have property(s) on Vancouver Island. Over a period of 30 years we slowly moved our stuff one 1 ton truck load at a time with the final moves done with movers. I followed my parents 11 months later with considerably less stuff and drama but moves are still high stress times. For reasons only known to my Father he always picked end of february to do these trips and he did one every year with me joining him often. We know every inch of the trans-canada from winnipeg to the coast. Winter driving is not that hard/bad if you are experienced, if not then learning with a strange (to you) fully loaded vehicle + trailer is maybe not the best. Don't rely on the movers to pack any small or important stuff, do it yourself and do a little every day well in advance instead of procrastinating. Small components held in those typical sliding tray multi bins are a disaster. I taped all mine up so the trays wouldn't move but the movers toss the boxes and they end up upside down with the small parts jamming the works. Other problems were some specialty oils I tossed in with other tools I put one of those rubber-maid bins leaked all over everything.As others have said sell or give away as much as you can. I had a metric fuck-ton of magazines, IEEE journals, chip catalogs act, that ended up at the dump,sort of liberating to get rid of things.

author: Six_Shooter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 04:04:05 am
content: Quote from: chickenHeadKnob on December 01, 2013, 03:06:17 amGoing through Crow's Nest Pass in January as a snow storm chases you can be fun. I did that about 6 years ago, when I went to Richland Washington to look at my 240Z to purchase. Flew out to Calgary to meet up with my Uncle and then drove from there.Great scenery along the highway, and the little towns are nice.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 04:16:53 am
content: Quote from: Six_Shooter on December 01, 2013, 04:04:05 amGee I hope that Zed is kept nicely garaged in that climate. They're not renowned for being rust free. Good choice anyhow.Here is my 260Z coupe. Got ~280hp out of an L28 in the end but the motor is out now and sitting in the corner while I work on 2 other restos. I'm most likely going to put an LS3 V8 into it but I still haven't made up my mind over perhaps injecting and turbocharging the 2.8L six instead.

author: Six_Shooter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 04:47:30 am
content: Quote from: GK on December 01, 2013, 04:16:53 amNice. My car is actually sitting outside right now, with a little snow on it, my Girlfriend's '65 Mustang is in the garage, mine runs, hers does not, so hers gets the garage. I will likely put it in the storage garage tomorrow, since I haven't driven it in a couple months anyway, school has kept me pretty busy.The more I see those air dams the more they grow on me and want to import one from Australia, Top Stage air dam, correct?Since I have a personal bias against the LSx, I would suggest going turbo L28, that's what I've done with mine and it has WAY more power than I need to get myself into trouble. I will eventually swap out the L28 to a V6 I have had planned to go in it for a few years, just haven't got around to it.I have some pretty big plans for mine, the body looks worse than it is, it's quite solid where it counts.Here's a few pics:

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 05:46:38 am
content: I have no idea what make the air dam is. My original lower front panels were knackered (dented and bogged) and throwing them away and fitting the air dam was the easiest fix. I just saw it hanging on the shelf at the Z-car wrecking yard and bought it. This is going back around '98. I used to rev the thing out in 5th every morning driving to work (about 150-160mph). The air dam does work well and that made it a lot less floaty in the steering at speed. However those fun days are long gone now!

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 05:07:01 pm
content: Quote from: chickenHeadKnob on December 01, 2013, 03:06:17 amYes the purges to reduce to the costly and rare components have been done already. But I still have about 1/2 the volume and 3/4 of the value left to move.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 05:17:34 pm
content: Quote from: chickenHeadKnob on December 01, 2013, 03:06:17 amI'm glad you shared the warning about the drawers. I have about 100 of these modular drawers. Before this comment it was suggested that I just tape up the drawers. I was a bit skeptical. Over the last few years I have printed many custom drawers for parts but the survivability of the parts inside during the move is a large concern for me.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: Six_Shooter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 06:52:34 pm
content: To keep things in the drawers you could get some foam and cut it to slide into each drawer and force everything to the bottom.A local automotive upholstery shop should have scraps they would give you or buy small pieces.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 06:57:38 pm
content: Quote from: Six_Shooter on December 01, 2013, 06:52:34 pmSounds just as time consuming as putting the contents into tiny zip lock bags.Alas I guess there is no way out of the enormously time consuming methods.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: Six_Shooter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 07:40:11 pm
content: Quote from: WarSim on December 01, 2013, 06:57:38 pmYes, either way it's time consuming, but the foam would be quicker than bags, since you can cut a bunch of thge same size and then just stuff them into the drawers, I would see bagging taking a lot more time.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 08:23:40 pm
content: I've driven 3.000 miles on the Trans Canadian Highway.Unfortunately just the same 150 mile stretch between Halifax and Monkton a lot of times.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 08:48:50 pm
content: From Google maps it looks like a great trip though. Perhaps somewhere in the spring would be the best time.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2013, 03:14:17 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on December 02, 2013, 08:48:50 pmTiming is not my choice, and the reason I will likely ship my vehicles.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2013, 05:10:10 am
content: Quote from: WarSim on December 01, 2013, 05:17:34 pmI did not have much trouble with them. Instead of taping the drawers, just buy a roll of shrink wrap from U-Haul or a hardware store and wrap it around the cabinet to hold the drawers. Pack them in boxes yourself so they are right side up.

author: chickenHeadKnob
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2013, 09:14:40 am
content: Quote from: edavid on December 06, 2013, 05:10:10 amSure if you are moving them yourself across town. Movers on the other hand don't know how to read, or give a shit. I had resistors and small screws migrating all over the place, but especially in the gap at the top off the bin. This varies with the design of the bin and size of the part. On my bins I ended up breaking quite a few of the clear brittle styrene plastic tray/bins just to get stuff out. Not the end of the world but it would have been an easily prevented annoyance. I figured just about anyone with an electronics hobby or similar type of workshop has a lot of these.

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2013, 02:31:52 pm
content: I follow the adageAn ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.I will be repackaging what I can in the time I have available.Sent from my iPad usingTapatalk

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2013, 05:27:07 am
content: Quote from: chickenHeadKnob on December 06, 2013, 09:14:40 amI had them moved about 1000 miles, and I had very few problems with them. I did load the truck myself though.You can keep movers from loading boxes upside down by making them bottom heavy.