On Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:40:38 -0400, Pete Keillor
wrote:

What are good, economical ways to move a home shop? The move is 1500
miles. I need to move an 11" lathe, Hardinge TM, Logan 8" shaper, Jet
17" drill press, 4x6 bandsaw on cart, welder on cart, cutting rig cart
& stuff, Famco 3R press w stand, 5'x5' welding table, two Vidmar tool
cabinets, other stuff & stock.

I looked for lift gate trucks, nobody does one-ways. Trucks with
ramps are available, ramps are narrow and limited in capacity. Right
now I'm leaning toward a container. I'm thinking of 4x4 skids on big
stuff, including the tool boxes, and a pallet jack.

Before you give up on a rented truck, do some serious checking.
Because one company might have a surplus of trucks where you are and a
defecit at the destination. If most of the moving is going the other
way, you might be able to get a One-Way deal where they usually
wouldn't allow it.

Or look for a third location that does have a surplus of trucks, and
you can go pick up the truck for delivery to the destination city.
Make a dog-leg that is shorter than a full round trip.

The reason it is betterto drive it yourself is that you know the
driver will be careful with the load. Unless you know you can bolt
that iron down in a shipping container or a semi-trailer bullet-proof,
and it can go the whole way without someone tightening the straps
after any hard bumps or unexpected lurches...

-- Bruce --