Moving models

[slant6]

I will be moving to a new house in a couple of weeks. I've moved some of my models before but something always ends up getting broken. I don't have my cars on individual cases they are all in larger display cases. So what are your suggestions for moving all of these cars.

[FujimiLover]

Get smaller cases and bubble wrap. Might be pricey getting alot of 1/24 scale display cases, but might be worth while to protect your investment. Bubble wrap delicately your models inside the case's, and then maybe bubble-wrap the case itselfe and put theme all in a large box filled with styrofoam "popcorn".

If your shipping it, dont' mark it fragile, seems to me the more fragil it is, the postman seems to throw it farther and harder! LOL!

Kidding aside, smaller 1/24 display cases with bubble wrap should do the job.

[slant6]

That's a great suggestion and I'd love to do it. But financially, it's just not an option. Any other suggetstions will be greatly apprecited as well.

[James Flowers]

Just wrap them with tissue paper or toilet paper for the first layer and then use good old news paper to finish them. That is much cheaper than anything else. I have moved several times and it has worked for me each time.

[Scott Colmer]

Loosely wrapped in toilet paper then paper towel. Be sure to sort of "fill" with the toilet paper. Then placed in a box with more paper towels to keep things from moving. I just traveled on a plane with some delicate models that way and had only 1 small part come off after I got home. And I was the only guy at the contest with a LOT of extra TP. LOL.

Scott

[Guest Davkin]

I recently saw a very effective and efficient way to pack large numbers of built models while minimizing damage, cost effect as well. I helped unpack the Estlow collection for the museum. John Estlow's nephew Allen Taylor drove all of those models all the way from Virginia to Utah in a van. There were about 120-140 built 1/25 models and he had them all in five or six modest sized boxes. What he did was build "channels" by bending cardboard. Each channel was a little wider than a model car and a little taller, and the boxes were the right size for three channels along the width of the box and long enough that three models could be placed end to end in each channel with some room left over. He lined the channels with bubble wrap, placed the models, the then placed rolled up strips of bubble wrap at the front and back of each model. He then put another layer of bubble wrap on top then a layer of cardboard and then another set of channels. I think he was able to do four channels deep in each box, that means theorertically each box could hold 36 models. There wer a couple parts knocked off but considering the size of the collection and the distance traveled that's pretty incredible.

Now, if your collection is more modest in size and the models are complex with high quality finishes you might consider getting a bunch of those Ziplock or Glad disposable food containers, line them with bubble wrap and tissue paper or soft cloth. That's what I use to transport models to contests and it's worked very well for me.

David

Edited May 15, 2009 by Davkin

[Art Anderson]

I will be moving to a new house in a couple of weeks. I've moved some of my models before but something always ends up getting broken. I don't have my cars on individual cases they are all in larger display cases. So what are your suggestions for moving all of these cars.

A lot depends on how far you are moving (across town? Or, across the continent?) and how you will be moving. Are you doing the move yourself, or is a professional moving van company getting the call?

For a move across town, I've found that nothing beats, for either cost, space, or security than baseball card collector's boxes. These are corrugated boxes that you fold up yourself, 3" high, 4" wide, and come in all manner of lengths. I've used 550 (card) count sports card cartons like these for years, with great results, as they will hold most any ordinary, average sized 1/25 scale model car. To protect the paint, I use the highest grade of paper towel I can get (Bounty is a great choice, soft as a pillow, and very fine paper to boot. I lay 4 sheets of the stuff across the box, folded in half, so that I have a double layer. I then set the model on this, letting the weight of the model push the paper towel to the bottom of the box. I then simply fold, gently, the remainder of the paper towel over the top of the car, from both sides. If I feel the need for cushioning at the ends, either a folded up couple of sheets of Bounty, or good quality (but not with any lotion) toilet paper does the trick here. I then place these cartons in a larger box, for ease of transport, and to keep the smaller boxes from sliding, or rolling around in my car on the way. For larger, or taller models, go to a box shop, look for what are called "Mailers"--which are exactly the same concept as sports card boxes, only they come in taller and wider sizes, even long ones, if you have a trailer or similar out-sized model.

At any rate, if you can, MOVE YOUR MODELS YOURSELF, IN YOUR CAR. The rough ride of a U-Haul trailer, Penske or similar rental truck is just too harsh, parts will get shaken or knocked off. If you are going just a few miles or so, it won't hurt to make several trips, unless you have friends who are willing to help you transport your models.

Art

[slant6]

Well, Ive taken all of your advice and think Ive done well. I have used many, many small boxes and packed each car separately wrapped carefully and well cushioned and then placed all of those into a large wooden chest. I will be moving this Sunday, wish me luck. It might me a week or so before I see how it all turned out though.