Brainstorming the Boxes URGENT REQUEST - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2022, 03:13:38 pm
content: So this is sort of 'thinking outside the box', about how to buy 500 heavy duty cardbaord boxes, in Sacramento USA, asap.Background: Late 2021 I ebay-bought several thousand service manuals, stacked in a storage unit near Sacramento USA. Info:http://everist.org/dm/(needs updating)The unit, which is 10' by 15' is all full like that.The volume of the raw pile is about 2/3 the volume of a 20' shipping container. And I'm trying to get them to Sydney Australia. This is hard.Status: I have a shipping quote, currently valid till 22nd Jan. That's for providing a container onsite to be loaded, then transporting it to Sydney._Loading_ it, that's my problem. Should be possible right, just find some boxes and a crew to pack the manuals in them, and stack in the container. Ha ha ha...Funny thing is, I thought buying suitable boxes would be relatively easy. For instance here's a company with a huge range of boxes:https://www.uline.com/BL_418/275-Lb-Test-Double-Wall-BoxesWhat does 'suitable' mean?This is a typical manual.Because of the volume, I need boxes that will pack the manuals efficiently (or they won't fit), AND strong enough to allow box stacking to the container ceiling. Five layers deep. Books are heavy!The container will go by truck and sea, and the boxes have to stand up to shipping motion.Plus I will keep the boxes for storage. So the cardboard should be the strong '3 layer' type, 1/4" thick.Most of the manuals have a height of 11.8". And they must be stacked mostly flat in the boxes.So one of the box base internal dimensions should be 12". Critical to achieving space efficiency.The other base dimension can be 15" to 22" internal. Allows for outlier large manuals, and some placed upright to fill spare space.18" is optimal; it allows two stacks of a common smaller size manual. Also results in a good fit to the shipping container width. (2414mm. Fits 5 boxes, final gap = 64mm)22" allows two stacks of typical large manuals. But also fits the container poorly (4 boxes, 128 mm gap) and is getting into 'heavy to lift' range.The box height should be in the range 18" to 20". The ideal is to get as many manuals in a box as possible without ending up with a box too heavy to lift, or crushing items at the bottom, while still fitting well in the internal height of a shipping container. (2698mm)There's often going to be a bit of empty space at the top inside each box (due to thick manuals), and bigger boxes minimize that percentage loss of total space. Often can pad with thinner manuals, but they won't always be to hand.Plus for heavy duty boxes the top and bottom flaps thickness is significant; 1/4" x 4, an inch.An internal box height of 20", with 1/4" walls, gives an external taped height of 21" (533.4mm.)shipping container internal H = 2698mm. Stacking boxes 5 deep leaves just 1.25" gap at the ceiling. Close!This gives desired box internal dimensions (same order as the ULine online table):Length Width Height15" to 22" 12" 18" to 20"Pref 18" Pref 19.5". NO GREATER than 20".And this, btw, is much like a typical 'house moving box'.The base is a rectangle approx 1 to 1.5+ ratio, and the height is at least 18".Roughly how many boxes?A 20' container internal length is 5898mm. A 12" box internal width plus walls = 318mm.Fitting 18 rows of boxes. Times 5 per row = 90 boxes per layer. Times 5 layers = 450 boxes.Say 500 boxes, to allow spares, some used flat as gap fillers, and maybe some for manuals that don't fit in the container and have to be shipped separately.But sadly and mysteriously ULine have *nothing* like that. Anything in their stock list with something like the desired base dimensions will also have too small a height.So I'm asking the Net. Does anyone know of a supplier of boxes on the US west coast, with a stock of suitable solid cardboard boxes close to that size? Who could deliver to Roseville CA this week or early next?Apologies if I don't reply for a while. Bit busy atm.So far others have suggested:Home Depot, Lowes, and U-Haul.Grainger (Grainger Industrial) may have more selection than Uline... whether they have stock might be another issue.McMaster-Carr or Global Industrial.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2022, 09:59:59 pm
content: I don't know if I would bother with double wall:https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-4898/Corrugated-Boxes-200-Test/18-x-12-x-18-Corrugated-BoxesBut I guess if it is stacked high thats an issue, without using strong filler in the boxes.Standard moving boxes seem to be 18x18x16 or 18x18x24https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Boxes/Standard-Sized-Moving-Boxes/Medium-Moving-Box/?id=2793

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2022, 10:42:45 pm
content: A simple solution is to use standard 16x12x12 book boxes and stack them 7 or 8 high (are you sure your container will be a high cube type?).If you fill the boxes completely, they won't crush.Obviously you should stand the binders on end to help with that.You can buy these boxes readily from local Lowe's stores, in 2 strengths:https://www.lowes.com/pd/16-in-W-x-12-in-H-x-12-in-D-moving-box-Classic-Small-Cardboard-Moving-Boxes-with-Handle-Holes/3265367https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lowe-s-16-in-W-x-12-in-H-x-12-in-D-Moving-Box-Classic-Small-Heavy-Duty-Cardboard-Moving-Boxes/50285945

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2022, 11:24:54 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on January 11, 2022, 09:59:59 pmThat's pretty good. Thanks. I didn't look through their 'thin cardboard' lists due to rejecting 'thin'. But given my poor range of choices, that's worth considering. Also, low cost is good. "200 lb" vs "275 lb" for the touger cardboard. Not a huge difference.>But I guess if it is stacked high thats an issue, without using strong filler in the boxes.There's not going to be any filler but the books. Logistics of loading...Maybe I can live with some crushing of lower boxes.QuoteYeah, but that "not 12" dimension really messes things up. I've packed a few boxes of big manuals before, and that side gap is a pain to futz around trying to find things to fit. So many manuals have to be placed upright in the gap, and big ring binders don't transport well like that. The rings tend to pop open.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2022, 12:26:17 am
content: Quote from: edavid on January 11, 2022, 10:42:45 pmWorks badly, because so many manuals are 3"+ thick, so packing flat in a 12" high box wastes a lot of space.QuoteWell spotted. No, it won't be. That was my goof.But using 18" high thin-wall boxes still works for a standard 20' container, which is 2380mm high inside. Phew.QuoteRingbinders, often not tightly filled. Yeah, they'll crush given enough force.QuoteThen with trucking vibration etc, the rings pop open and chew the pages.Currently trying to lease a 2nd small storage unit near the main one, to hold 4 bales of box flats for a week.5' by 10' should do. Cost not too bad. But being overseas I can't take the lease myself, so have to get a US friend to do it.Can't order the boxes delivered till the unit is in hand....

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2022, 12:44:50 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on January 12, 2022, 12:26:17 amDon't pack them flat, or turn the boxes so the long dimension is vertical.QuoteI have shipped hundreds of HP binders cross country in book boxes stacked 8 high, did not have either problem.QuoteThat's why you should buy the boxes from Lowe's as you need them.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2022, 01:10:21 am
content: I second the suggestion for book boxes. Regular boxes will contain too many manuals and thus become too heavy to handle.However, why use boxes in the first place? Why not put the manuals in plastic bags to form a bundle which can then be stacked into the container? This gives you maximum usage of the container, it is quicker to pack than having to unfold & puzzle manuals into a box AND plastic bags have the advantage that they are not prone to investation / cross contamination by (paper eating) silver fish. I'm pretty sure a part of those manuals are invested by silver fish already.It may seem odd but whatever box your are going to buy, it will not hold the weight of 5 layers of boxes with books stacked on top so you will get movement during transport due to the box being crushed. A bunde which is already compacted, won't move.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 02:37:32 am
content: Oh great. Here's an example of the kind of sh*t this project encounters.So I was going to order the 500 ULINE S-4898 boxes today. To be delivered on Friday (in USA) to the storage site in Roseville CA. They are transported on 4 pallets, 48" x 40". Each pallet has 5 bundles of 25 boxes.The storage unit leased to hold the flat boxes for a few days, is 5' x 10'. Which is enough to hold the 20 bundles of box flats.The ULINE contractor delivering the boxes has a pallet jack and a lift gate on rear of truck. The truck can park next to the unit, and it's routine for drivers to deliver to inside a doorway (like the storage unit roller door.)The unit floor space only fits 3 pallets. You'd think cutting the straps on one pallet load and stacking the 5 bundles on top of the ones in the unit would not be a problem.BUT NO! ULINE refuses to specfify the driver will do that. I don't yet know if the storage site management can be asked to do it, as they are closed. Need to get the boxes there on Friday, for safety of other schedule steps. So I cannot place the order today (ULINE have 24 hour ordering), and risk missing the Friday delivery slot.Also the pallet 40" dimension, times three is exactly 10'. The long dimension of the storage unit. What's the bet the 10' will be a little under, or the pallets slightly over, and the door can't be closed? Which just means unstrapping TWO pallets and stacking the bundles, but...Arrgh.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 02:53:17 am
content: Go for plastic bags to bundle the manuals!

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 02:55:44 am
content: They told us that by now all those manuals would be on 1 CD.Liars.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 03:15:37 am
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on January 11, 2022, 03:13:38 pmWhen you did that I knew there was going to be a chapter of the saga like this.I'm glad that someone is saving these. I'm even gladder that it's notme!Good luck!

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 03:21:23 am
content: In the turn of the century, literature shipped to our company used to come tightly packed in a massive crate wrapped with rolls and rolls of plastic film, as suggested by Nico. I would explore this avenue.Also, once I saw a shipment using quite a few of those industrial shelving systems where the literature was neatly wrapped in plastic foil, and then the shelving itself was also wrapped in the foil. Although expensive, the advantage in that case was that the shelves used for transportation were also used to store the literature.This was about twenty years ago, so I don't remember all the details.By shelving I mean something like this:https://www.uline.com/Grp_263/Industrial-Wire-ShelvingA cheaper and less sturdy alternative (probably single use) would be cheap bookcases from Walmart, for example.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 03:28:08 am
content: Bankers Boxes or equivalent filing boxes come in standard sizes like 24" x 12" x 10" and are readily available. Are you not able to make use of those? Look at suppliers like Office Depot or Staples.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 03:36:44 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on January 13, 2022, 02:53:17 amNO!Good grief. Have you looked at the photos of the quantity? Any idea what would happen to a containerload ofmanuals 'sloshing around' loose? Plastic bags are slippery. You'd invent 'book mass liquifaction.'Also there are issues to do with Customs inspection, Quarantine potential fumigation, etc. Bags - just no.I suspect you are trolling. Such a hairbrained idea.I expect some box crushing in bottom layer or two. But at least things will be staying in one place.Quote from: IanB on January 13, 2022, 03:28:08 amHeight = 10" All shallow boxes like this are good for stacks of thin documents, that can fill the box right to the top.They just don't work for manuals that are often 3 to 4 inches thick.

author: SmallCog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 08:13:02 am
content: I’d consider using stillages (pallet sized boxes or tubs)These come in both cardboard, such as you may see full of watermelons or pumpkins, and plastic/metalGet your helpers to put the cardboard stillages into the container, stack the books, then possibly go a layer on topWhat’s your plan for unpacking? Having them on pallets will make unloading quicker saving on container hire fees if you’ve got access to a forkliftExample:

author: Drewbie
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 10:05:53 am
content: Yes. Cardboard Bulk Bins.I had a large quantity of TE packed into one of these and shipped via truck to me a while back and it was very sucessful.https://jmpholdings.com.au/industrial-packaging/corrugated-cardboard-pallets/Easily moved around with a pallet jack.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 12:09:32 pm
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on January 13, 2022, 03:36:44 amDefinitely not trolling; I never do that.You are asking for ideas and given your schedule and other constraints, that is how I would do it. Lots of bulk goods are transported in plastic bags (on pallets). The trick is to use an interlocking stacking pattern together with a sticky mat or glue in between. But if that interferes with customs inspection (likely they'll just X-ray the container) or fumigation then plastic bags are not a good option.The best option would be to use the cardboard bulk bins (that was my first idea as well) but I'm quite sure these won't fit in your container and (in my mind) are more aimed at transportation by truck or airplane. There are services that offer palletised sea freight but you probably have looked into those yourself already.

author: Skashkash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 12:51:10 pm
content: Yeah,Maybe individually wrap the binders in stretch plastic and start filling gaylords.https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-4480/Bulk-Cargo/48-x-40-x-36-Double-Wall-Gaylord-Box-with-LidI think that's been suggested. But has its own logistical concerns (need a forklift)

author: ozcar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 04:30:16 pm
content: Can you take over the lease of the storage unit, or get them moved to your own unit? Then take your time to work out what to do.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 04:44:34 pm
content: Quote from: ozcar on January 13, 2022, 04:30:16 pmThat's not a crazy idea but it's the sort of thing that is very difficult to manage/organise without "boots on the ground" with local knowledge. If Terrahertz is facing time pressure perhaps one of the alternative avenues to explore (in parallel) is to see if he can find someonestupid enoughwith an equal interest in preserving these for posterity in the Sacramento area who might act as hands, eyes, ears and mouth? It might at least be an idea to start a 'request for help' thread titled"Sacramento area - Need help preserving TE manuals" or somesuch.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 04:49:57 pm
content: "So I'm asking the Net. Does anyone know of a supplier of boxes on the US east coast, with a stock of suitable solid cardboard boxes close to that size? Who could deliver to Roseville CA this week or early next?"I think you mean West coast of the US.Every move I have made where I packed my own boxes was done with used boxes. They are just a fraction of the cost of new and have been used once or never (i.e., left over stock with a company label). I am not referring to dealers with just a few. The places I have bought from had pallet loads of the same box. I did a quick search of used shipping boxes in Sacramento area, and there are several hits. Since you are buying a significant quantity, there is a small likelihood the seller will deliver to your site for a small cost.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 08:12:15 pm
content: Quote from: Cerebus on January 13, 2022, 04:44:34 pmAccording to the link Terrahertz has already done that AND rented extra units to store boxes temporarily. But in the end the manuals need to be moved at some point.Another optimisation is to sort through the manuals to figure out what is worth keeping and what not. Likely there are many duplicates / commonly available manuals. Digitizing the manuals (and throwing them into the paper bin afterwards) may even be cheaper than shipping them. Unless ofcourse the aim is the preserve the physical manual and not just the contents. However, preserving the physical manuals should also include preserving the paper itself. Most post WW2 paper has an acidity which causes the paper to self destruct (yellowing of pages).

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 08:58:28 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on January 13, 2022, 08:37:39 pmWhen I look at the pictures, I see quite a few manuals (not the majority, but still a significant number) which show signs of yellowing of the paper. There is no way to tell the state of what is further back in the unit.

author: Ground_Loop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 09:06:17 pm
content: It might be cheaper in terms of labor and material to have wooden crates built on site. It would require far fewer crates than boxes, fill geometry would not be critical and they can be safely stacked. I only suggest this because I've had it done in the past specifically for cross ocean shipments.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 09:24:05 pm
content: Quote from: Ground_Loop on January 13, 2022, 09:06:17 pmThis has the same problem as the Gaylord idea - how would you get the crates into the shipping container on the truck?

author: Ground_Loop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 10:56:25 pm
content: Forklift, pallet jack.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 11:21:59 pm
content: Quote from: Ground_Loop on January 13, 2022, 10:56:25 pmThe container is going to be on a truck at the packing site. How do you get pallets into the back end of it? How do you stack them?If you could overcome that, where would the forklift/pallet jack come from, and how would you get them to the packing site?

author: SmallCog
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2022, 11:49:39 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on January 13, 2022, 11:21:59 pmThat's unfortunate if it's indeed the case.Here in Australia a container would normally be dropped off on site, loaded, then collected again by the transport company.It's critical when ordering a container to know which side of the truck the container will be coming off of, and tell them which end you want the door.You typically pay per day for a container, so prioritising loading and unloading is critical.For the melon bins (they have countless names) I mentioned you would put the bins in the container, on pallets (plastic is easier for quarantine) and load the books from the storage locker into the container. The crew doing it may need wheel barrows or trolleys to speed this process up depending upon how close the container is dropped to the storage locker.20' container are sometimes delivered and picked up by tilt tray style tow trucks - you don't want this! For something like this you want a side lifter.When it arrives get it dropped next to a shed or similar, and bring the bins out with a forklift or pallet jack.I have no idea where you intend to put them once they arrive, but consider getting them unloaded at a warehouse then delivered either 1 at a time or all at once.Not a recommendation, but an example:https://www.hoxtonindustries.com.au/packaging-solutions/container-unloading/

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 01:01:19 am
content: Quote from: edavid on January 13, 2022, 11:21:59 pmIts normal to put pallets in a container/truck and stack them. But yeah you'd need a forklift and either a ramp or a loading dock to do it.https://www.flexport.com/help/368-palletizing-cargo-consideration/youtube.com/watch?v=Hd-3dra6v0c

author: Drewbie
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 01:23:44 am
content: Problem is many storage facilties will NOT allow you to dump a container anywhere on their site for loading/unloading. They want it able to be moved at any time hence having to stay on the truck.One option further complicating things would be to load into bins at the storage locker entrance, then pallet jack to a box truck with a tail lift. The box truck (longer than 20ft to hold all the unstacked bins) then takes the bins to the container exporters facility and they're stacked into the container there.Melon crates would be a great option as they're plastic but stackable?

author: Drewbie
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 01:27:09 am
content: Possible bonus at keeping the container at the exporter's facility is the higher security aspect of the container being loaded at an approved exporter by their staff rather than by "Dodgy Movers/Cocaine Exports Inc" at an insecure location?

author: Ground_Loop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 02:16:39 am
content: Hire a crating company with a fork lift. They show up with a flatbed trailer loaded with crate material, tools and a fork lift. Face it, this is a business venture that is going to require an investment. Having done exactly this I suggest you specify screw assembly as it makes break down on the other end go a lot easier.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 07:36:12 am
content: Update.I've signed the shipping agreement with the freight agent.Also bought and paid for 500 of these boxes from ULine:https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-4898/Corrugated-Boxes-200-Test/18-x-12-x-18-Corrugated-BoxesS-4898 18 x 12 x 18" $1.96 ea for 500 25 / 125 40 (BUNDLE/BALE QTY. LBS./BNDL.That's 4 pallet loads.These fit the manuals well, AND are a pretty good fit to the container when stacked. They are also man-liftable when full. This is crucial for multiple reasons. Both at the sending end, and receiving.I'd have preferred tougher cardboard, but nothing was available.I have a moving company in Sacramento lined up to do the box packing and loading boxes into the shipping container.Presently there's a tentative date for when that happens, mid next week. But it may drift due to uncertainties with getting a booking for loading to a ship.There was quite a runaround with trying to arrange for delivery of the pallets of box flats, to the recently hired 2nd small storage unit at the storage site where the manuals are. Several problems, related to the delivery company refusing to de-paletize even one of the pallets and stack the box flat bundles on top of 2 or 3 pallets that fit on the unit floor space, the storage site refusing to dispose of the unwanted pallet, stuff about keys to the unit and needing the ID of the (random unknown) delivery driver beforehand, and blah blah blah.Circumvented by just having the pallets delivered to the moving company. They can take them to the site in a van on the day. With the advantage that then the boxes are right there beside the loading operation, rather than way off elsewhere in the storage site.Currently keeping the smaller (empty) 5' x 10' storage unit, for use if there are any excess boxes of manuals that don't fit in the shipping container. (That's a possibility!) Much cheaper to keep them in the smaller unit till another form of transport can be arranged, so the lease on the big 10' x 15' foot unit can be ended asap. (I've been paying that lease since Nov 2021.)This whole operation, all the organization that can be screwed up by the smallest unforseen snag, terrifies me.Quote from: jpanhalt on January 13, 2022, 04:49:57 pmOops. Fixed.As for used boxes, it would be a good idea except for Australian Customs and Quarantine inspection issues.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 09:46:38 am
content: Glad it looks like you have a plan that can work.Quote from: TerraHertz on January 14, 2022, 07:36:12 amYeah, that too.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2022, 03:58:27 pm
content: Quote from: TerraHertz on January 14, 2022, 07:36:12 am

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2022, 01:05:49 am
content: And THEN... there were more gremlins. Eventually sorted, so it's still good.AFTER placing the order with the box companyhttps://www.uline.com, two things happened:1. My bank auto-blocked the payment, thinking it fraudulent. I fixed that, payment went through.2. Uline sent me an email saying "sorry we didn't have that box size in sufficient qty, we are shippingboxes 20 x 12 x 20" as substitutes." This was on the US weekend, their computer system said theboxes were in stock, but apparently when someone checked the Reno warehouse, they weren't.Now the warehouse was closed, no way to find out how many there actually were.I paused the ship-out, waiting for word of how many correct size boxes they had.At that time we were still hoping for a container loading operation on Wed 19th, USA time. Getting tight...Turned out ULine only had around 120 of the 18 x 12 x 18" boxes (that were a good fit to the container.)In the meantime I'd worked out an arrangement of the larger boxes that was more complicated andhad some downsides, but worked. The stated box dimensions are internal, and for the container fityou have to allow for the cardboard thickness, squish/swell guestimates, box orientations, amount ofgap packing material needed, leaving space for dessicant packs, etc.I approved the substitution. They shipped the larger boxes.Those are now stored at the company that will do the packing.The US shipping company failed to arrange the container onsite for Wed 19th. Or even contact thepacking company. Supposedly 'not enough notice to secure a ship booking' and they won't providea container until after they actually have a ship booking.Current status: still all go, waiting for the US shipping company to establish direct contact with the USmoving company and arrange a mutually agreed date for the packing onsite.Which won't be this week, so I can relax and do other stuff for a while.Incidentally, I found out that there is global tracking of shipping containers. If you have the containerID code, you can see its movement history and forward schedule. It's cool.Discovered this because I have a pallet load of stuff coming to Sydney from Chicago, that palletis in a container, and I was given its number for tracking.https://www.track-trace.com/containerBut sorry I am not giving you the container number. And they include a check digit, so probably makingup numbers won't work.

author: Drewbie
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 06:28:36 am
content: It's been a while.Update?

author: peter-h
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2022, 05:52:11 am
content: I wonder if this is of any interesthttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/anybody-wants-old-data-books-(uk)/msg4133125/#msg4133125

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 10:52:27 am
content: Quick update.As I mentioned, the arranged shipping shedule fell through. The US shipping agent said that they had a ship slot booking cancellation. Lots of trouble getting ship bookings. So they were going to concentrate on their established customers, and they pulled out entirely. The Oz local shipping agent I was using works only with that US company, so they were out too.The US West Coast ports really are messed up. That container with a pallet load of books of mine from Chicago, sat in Long Beach while being bumped off three ship bookings in a row. FINALLY made it onto a ship, got here and reached me OK. That ship was called the LIBRA, which is amusing since that's my star sign. And also of the 'friend of our family' in Chicago who did the packing and shipping.Anyway, the storage unit full of manuals. Are still sitting in that storage unit. Because with no ship booking in sight, the options were to have the moving company pack them in boxes and hold the boxes in their warehouse, or simply leave them in the storage unit until shipping in general improves. (Who knows when, if ever. Things can easily get far worse, and it's my feeling that they will. So time is important.)The 'pack to boxes and truck to warehouse' operation cost quotes was nearly US$8000. And then the storage cost was US $620/month. Or was it $520? I forget. But the current storage unit is $300/month. I've prepaid it for a few months and will probably have to extend that.I also don't like the idea of having them stored in the moving company warehouse. Quite apart from the monthly cost, I suspect it might be difficult to ever extract them, even if a container + ship booking could be arranged.Also considering the near $8K packing quote - for this I could fly to the USA, hire a small old van, buy a 20' seaworthy container and park it somewhere near the storage site, then do the packing into boxes and piling boxes in the container, myself.I like this idea a lot. Many plusses. It would take a week, maybe two. I could live in the van... (I don't mind roughing it.)Once they are actually packed in a shipping container, there are a lot more options.For eg perhaps have the container trucked over to the East Coast, and onto a ship there.And some nice potentials. Like riding in the truck from West to East coast so getting a 'free' US road trip. And more... my son is living in Panama City, Panama atm.The big obstacle involves the 'topic forbidden here' ie we (people with something in common we are not allowed to mention) are not permitted to leave Australia [because stupid, fraudulent reasons.] But there's been an unexpected positive development with that, as of yesterday. Still many things need to be checked out, and plans I don't wish to advertise beforehand. Plenty of points of potential failure.This project requires two things: money and patience. I have both atm.