I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I want
some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with precision
surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer, jointer,
contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor standing
drill press.

Can a regular mover handle these ok?
Are there special moving companies?
Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?

Any and all advice appreciated. I have never done this before. Last time I
moved was BWW (before woodworking) and my tools fit in a couple of
cardboard boxes. How time flies and shops fill up.

AndyB

"AndyB" wrote in message
...

I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I want
some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with precision
surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer, jointer,
contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor standing
drill press.

Can a regular mover handle these ok?
Are there special moving companies?
Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?

Any and all advice appreciated. I have never done this before. Last time I
moved was BWW (before woodworking) and my tools fit in a couple of
cardboard boxes. How time flies and shops fill up.

AndyB

Many moving companys (not all) have problems moving simple furniture much
less shop tools.
I'd strongly suggest NOT going with the lowest price for movers, unless you
want everything held for ransom for months on end by a private trucker.
Go with the most reputable mover you can get, someone with their own trucks.
Be sure to tell them exactly what tools wil be involved, everything should
go well.

You can move them to my place! I'd even help.

Seriously though, I wouldn't let anyone move my things unless they had damn
good insurance! I sure wouldn't want my fence getting a good whack.


Searcher1

I would stay with them every minute of loading and unloading and be sure
they are well tied. Even good companies get sorry crews sometime!
Wilson
"AndyB" wrote in message
...

I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I want
some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with precision
surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer, jointer,
contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor standing
drill press.

Can a regular mover handle these ok?
Are there special moving companies?
Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?

Any and all advice appreciated. I have never done this before. Last time I
moved was BWW (before woodworking) and my tools fit in a couple of
cardboard boxes. How time flies and shops fill up.

AndyB

"AndyB" wrote in message
...

I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I want
some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with precision
surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer, jointer,
contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor standing
drill press.

Can a regular mover handle these ok?
Are there special moving companies?
Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?

Any and all advice appreciated. I have never done this before. Last time I
moved was BWW (before woodworking) and my tools fit in a couple of
cardboard boxes. How time flies and shops fill up.

AndyB

There is approximately a 0% chance that I'd let anybody move my stationary
tools without me being there while they were being loaded to make sure it
was done correctly and with care. What's the matter, your friends don't
drink beer? ;-)

todd

I moved last year from Boston to southern Utah with a full shop of equipment.
You need to be there, and to have a few items broken down first. Usually the
driver supervises packing the van, and most are pretty good. The helpers,
however, are often whomsoever might be available, and need to be closely
watched. Make sure all your cords are secured, fences removed, etc. There are
specialty moving companies, but they're very expensive.

Assume, of course, that you'll need to realign everything when it arrives.

The only problem I hit was they moved the shop in the afternoon, and it
started to rain. We had to wipe off each item when it reached the van, and I
still had rust to remove after it arrived.

GerryG

On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 01:11:43 GMT, AndyB wrote:


I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I want
some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with precision
surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer, jointer,
contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor standing
drill press.

Can a regular mover handle these ok?
Are there special moving companies?
Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?

Any and all advice appreciated. I have never done this before. Last time I
moved was BWW (before woodworking) and my tools fit in a couple of
cardboard boxes. How time flies and shops fill up.

AndyB

"AndyB" wrote in message
...

I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I want
some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with precision
surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer, jointer,
contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor standing
drill press.

I just completed the same task. Table saw, router table, dust collector,
jointer, bandsaw and lots of cabinets and hand tools. Talked to several
moving companies and decided on one that specialized in piano moving.
Smartest move I made! Not only are they adept and handling VERY heavy items,
there are trained to be very careful. Bumping a piano can torque the frame
and there goes the tuning.

Long story short - only caution I gave them was not to lift the tablesaw by
the extension fence. After the move, I checked the alignment of all the
tolls and they were as good ( or bad) as when I started.

Good luck -

Vic

I moved not too long ago, before I acquired some of my larger tools, but
if I were moving again today I'd do it the same way: self-service moving
(www.upack.com)I'm not affiliated, just a one-time satisfied customer,
YMMV, all disclaimers apply. They dropped a 28' trailer in my driveway
and then came and got it when we were done loading it. Same deal
unloading. It worked out to be less than half the cost of paying somebody
else to move us long distance, and our 4 BR household *pretty much* fit
into the trailer (after an impromptu yard sale). If you don't use the
whole trailer, you pay less.

As far as packing your goods, you're on your own with this method, and
frankly I wouldn't have it any other way. If something of mine gets
broken, I want to be the one who broke it. One man's junk, and all that
.... a lot of hand-me-downs that insurance can't replace.

So we wrapped just about EVERYTHING in industrial strength saran wrap
(the kind of stuff shippers wrap around pallets of just about anything
.... don't know where you'd find it; my dad knows some guys who drive
trucks and got some partial rolls). It's more of a pain to load the truck
because nothing slides, but then again ... nothing slides. I threw an old
quilt over my table saw and wrapped it in plastic, and it was good to go.
I used scrap lumber and tiedowns to improvise a series of bulkheads every
8' or so. The ride is rougher than U-Haul, and the trailer will get hot
inside, so plan accordingly.

Two notes of caution about the big folding ramp: 1. They expect you to
leave room for it in the trailer. 2. Its serrated nonskid design works
great on workboots, but not so much when you trip over it and land on
your knee ... and when you're moving, a trip to the ER and the insertion
of 11 staples can really interfere with your moving plans, especially if
you're one of these anal-retentive types who HAS to do everything
yourself Good luck with the move.

AndyB wrote in
:


I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I
want some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with
precision surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer,
jointer, contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor
standing drill press.

Can a regular mover handle these ok?
Are there special moving companies?
Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?

Any and all advice appreciated. I have never done this before. Last
time I moved was BWW (before woodworking) and my tools fit in a couple
of cardboard boxes. How time flies and shops fill up.

AndyB

I think you've had some good advice here, but I'll tell you my
experiences. I've moved the shop several times across country. The
best results have always been when I did most of the work myself - that
goes for the whole house including dishes, glasses, etc. Obviously I
couldn't handle the big stuff myself for long distance moves and I
strongly recommend you follow the advice given here that says BE THERE
when they move the shop. I usually break the tools down (fence rails
and wings off the TS for example) and try to get them packed in boxes.
You also haven't mentioned the small power and hand tools. Even though
they say they won't guarantee breakage for the boxes they don't pack, I
STRONGLY recommend you do it. I wrap them all in layers of newspaper
and fill in the voids with more crumpled paper. They'll just throw them
into a box and you can expect much breakage, dents and nicks.
There's an even bigger reason for pre-packing. I don't want to lose my
tools! Early moved seemed to result in much pilferage. When unpacking
one time, I had pulled out a few tools to start cutting open boxes and
putting things together. As the movers cleaned up, I noticed several of
my tools were missing and they seemed to be the ones the locally hired
helper had borrowed (I agree with the comment by a previous poster that
the drivers can be trusted). After I complained, the driver told the
helper several times to go find the tools, but he just wandered around.
It wasn't until I refused to sign the release that he went out to the
truck, reached under the seat and returned with the tools.
The moving company will reimburse you for lost items, but what are the
chances you can remember every single tool you own. You'll realize
something is missing several months later when you need it.
Good luck.

Art Learmonth

AndyB wrote:

I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I want
some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with precision
surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer, jointer,
contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor standing
drill press.

Can a regular mover handle these ok?
Are there special moving companies?
Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?

Any and all advice appreciated. I have never done this before. Last time I
moved was BWW (before woodworking) and my tools fit in a couple of
cardboard boxes. How time flies and shops fill up.

AndyB

I ditto what Art said; I moved my shop twice. Break down your machines
as much as possible; if its a contractor saw, remove the fence, wings
and motor. Do your own packing and number the boxes "1 or 10 Shop"
etc., and don't label them as "Lie Nielson Planes" but generically as
"shop" to reduce pilferage, as the help ain't always the best of
character. A good mover will drop you off some labels, tape and packing
material so you can pack your stuff up yourself. You must be there for
loading and unloading. good luck.

Mutt

On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 01:11:43 GMT, AndyB
wrote:


I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I want
some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with precision
surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer, jointer,
contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor standing
drill press.

No.


Can a regular mover handle these ok?

No.

Are there special moving companies?

Not sure.

Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?


Maybe.

Any and all advice appreciated. I have never done this before. Last time I
moved was BWW (before woodworking) and my tools fit in a couple of
cardboard boxes. How time flies and shops fill up.

AndyB

Use your stock to build crates and break down the large machines. For
example, when I moved I remove the cast iron wings on my table saw and
built a wooden box for each wing. The crates can be managed much
easier that way. Don't expect a moving company to take your machines
apart and crate them. Moving companies will, however, have custom
crates made at a additional charge. But I'm sure you can make your
own, and probably better built.

Ba r r y wrote in
:

On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 01:11:43 GMT, AndyB
wrote:

Can a regular mover handle these ok?

Maybe.

Are there special moving companies?

Yes! Look under "riggers" in the yellow pages, and prepare to pay!
These guys show up with forklifts, etc... and move machinery every
day. I've hired these guys to move large telephone company wet cell
batteries, generators, etc... If they can't move it, nobody can.

Did I mention to open the wallet?

Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?

Call riggers and get quotes, the answer will quickly become clear.
G

Barry



I think, at some point, I would consider selling the large iron locally,
and looking for replacements on the other end. Unless I had a unique,
low serial number Unisaw or something else special, but everything I
have in heavy gear was purchased new in the last five years.

Hand tools are a completely different story. Plywood cases, glued and
screwed, with lockable hasps. Casters. And large labels. Like a rock
band.

Where I would have a problem is with the wood rack. Some of that supply
has 'provenance'.

Patriarch

Let me suggest something...

Go get a large cup of coffee, place a chair in the middle of your shop
and take a few minutes to just contemplate your shop, its tools and
other contents.

Now ask yourself if the shop was on fire, what would you save first?

That is the first thing to pack for the move.

Repeat the exercise until you consider you have reached the limit of
what you would save if you had to.

The point of the exercise is to make one focus on what you really
should move and what should be sold, given to friends, given to
charities, etc.

Every pound you don't move is one less pound that you won't have to
worry about later.

In my case, both power tools and hand tools would come with me. Stock
and easily purchased items would stay behind.

For preparing the tools for the move, pack them like they are going to
handled very roughly. They likely will. As mentioned before, YOU have
to be PRESENT during the time of loading and unloading. Make sure that
your load will be transported straight through with no reloading
inbetween.

Do not sign off on ANYTHING until you have verified that amount of
damage that has occurred and that EVERYTHING is there. Tools can and
will disappear. Remember, the better you pack the less damage that will
occur. Video taping what goes into your boxes is a good way to document
what is packed and what condition it was in. It also goes a long ways
if and when you have to make any insurance claim.

If you have any irreplacable tools (family heirlooms, collectible
tools) transport these yourself even if you have to leave the wife
behind.

Good luck with the move and let us know how it turns out.

TMT

I am only 1/2 way through the replies so far. Thanks everyone!

So far there is some good advice.

Disassemble evreything I can
Secure power cords
TopKote the heck out of everything to reduce rust
Find movers that can handle pianos
Watch them closely

As for my table saw I was going to remove
the table extensions and guide rails.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I still got more to read!


"Vic Baron" wrote in
m:



I just completed the same task. Table saw, router table, dust
collector, jointer, bandsaw and lots of cabinets and hand tools.
Talked to several moving companies and decided on one that specialized
in piano moving. Smartest move I made! Not only are they adept and
handling VERY heavy items, there are trained to be very careful.
Bumping a piano can torque the frame and there goes the tuning.

Long story short - only caution I gave them was not to lift the
tablesaw by the extension fence. After the move, I checked the
alignment of all the tolls and they were as good ( or bad) as when I
started.

Good luck -

Vic

Art,

Good advice. Thanks.

I always pack for my own moves. It is not only cheaper, but I pack better
than they do because I care more.

I mostly hire the mover to load the truck, drive the truck, unload the
truck.

Unfortunately I to have heard many stores of pilferage by movers. For
boxes with hand tools and such in them I will just mark them "basement"
and a number. I will record the contents on my clipboard.

I have one more thing to consider. I have a huge gun safe (800 lbs). I
may find a rigging company and have them do the safe and stationary
machines. It will cost a little more, but I bet riggers who handle pianos
know how to be more carefull.

Also, thanks for the advice about not signing the delivery notice until
pilferage is resolved. I bet that does get them to "look again" to find
the things that got "lost".




Art and Diane wrote in
news:As%Td.1838$Ze3.934@attbi_s51:

I think you've had some good advice here, but I'll tell you my
experiences. I've moved the shop several times across country. The
best results have always been when I did most of the work myself -
that goes for the whole house including dishes, glasses, etc.
Obviously I couldn't handle the big stuff myself for long distance
moves and I strongly recommend you follow the advice given here that
says BE THERE when they move the shop. I usually break the tools down
(fence rails and wings off the TS for example) and try to get them
packed in boxes. You also haven't mentioned the small power and hand
tools. Even though they say they won't guarantee breakage for the
boxes they don't pack, I STRONGLY recommend you do it. I wrap them
all in layers of newspaper and fill in the voids with more crumpled
paper. They'll just throw them into a box and you can expect much
breakage, dents and nicks. There's an even bigger reason for
pre-packing. I don't want to lose my tools! Early moved seemed to
result in much pilferage. When unpacking one time, I had pulled out
a few tools to start cutting open boxes and putting things together.
As the movers cleaned up, I noticed several of my tools were missing
and they seemed to be the ones the locally hired helper had borrowed
(I agree with the comment by a previous poster that the drivers can be
trusted). After I complained, the driver told the helper several
times to go find the tools, but he just wandered around. It wasn't
until I refused to sign the release that he went out to the truck,
reached under the seat and returned with the tools. The moving company
will reimburse you for lost items, but what are the chances you can
remember every single tool you own. You'll realize something is
missing several months later when you need it. Good luck.

Art Learmonth

AndyB wrote:

Well I finally hit the end of the replies.

THANKS EVERYONE who replied. I got some good advice.

I should have mentioned that I am not moving far (less than 1 hour away) I
think I will ask a couple of buddies to help move the tools.

Fortunately for me, I have several friends who has, over the years, asked
to work on something in my shop. 8*) Now they may find out why I said
"sure, my shop is your shop" heh heh.

Also, good advice about deciding what to save. I have already thrown away
many much of my precious "scrap pile". It breaks my heart.


AndyB

"Sum Yung Guy" wrote in message

Unfortunately I to have heard many stores of pilferage by movers. For
boxes with hand tools and such in them I will just mark them "basement"
and a number. I will record the contents on my clipboard.

My preference would be to mark them 'Books' instead. 'Basement' could mean
lots of things. 'Books' on the other hand are quite unlikely to attract much
interest, as well as being heavy which matches many tools.

"Upscale" wrote in
:


"Sum Yung Guy" wrote in message

Unfortunately I to have heard many stores of pilferage by movers. For
boxes with hand tools and such in them I will just mark them
"basement" and a number. I will record the contents on my clipboard.

My preference would be to mark them 'Books' instead. 'Basement' could
mean lots of things. 'Books' on the other hand are quite unlikely to
attract much interest, as well as being heavy which matches many
tools.

How would I know the difference between the thirty boxes of tools, and the
fifty boxes of books? ;-)

Patriarch

Ba r r y wrote in
:

How would I know the difference between the thirty boxes of tools, and
the fifty boxes of books? ;-)

Patriarch

Write "Textbooks" on the tools. NOBODY will steal textbooks.

Barry



Goodwill won't even take textbooks. I think the top of my single-stream
recycling can says no textbooks. Shame they were so expensive at the time
that we had to purchase them.

Patriarch

On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 01:11:43 GMT, AndyB
wrote:


I come to the oracles seeking the wisdom of the ages.

(heh)

More specifically.... I am planning on moving in a few months and I want
some advice on moving my larger stationary tools.

Can I trust a regular moving company to move power tools with precision
surfaces/mechanisms? I am most concerned about my planer, jointer,
contractor style table saw, and band saw. I also have a floor standing
drill press.

Can a regular mover handle these ok?
Are there special moving companies?
Is it really worth begging my friends to lug heavy metal for me?

Any and all advice appreciated. I have never done this before. Last time I
moved was BWW (before woodworking) and my tools fit in a couple of
cardboard boxes. How time flies and shops fill up.

I don't know how big your tools are, so this may be very good or very
bad advice. When I moved, I used a furniture dolly (the kind with the
strap to hold things in place when moving) and a low flatbed trailer
with a ramp, and moved all my tools myself. The major caveats to this
approach are that 1. My tools mainly fall into the "benchtop"
category, and even with stands full of ballast, the heaviest weighs
about 250 pounds, 2. I work with steel all day, so too heavy for me
and too heavy for, say, a computer programmer are not necessarily the
same thing, 3. My stands were all built by me, and have enough surface
area below the tools themselves to strap the stands down securely
without touching the fences or work surfaces, and 4. My shop was
moving from a street-level garage to a street-level basement- no
stairs or hills were involved in the move.

As long as you can do it, I'd vote for moving the tools yourself- no
one is going to be more careful with your shop than you are. But if
you've got a Unisaw and a 8" freestanding jointer and a 20" bandsaw,
you may be out of luck- in that case, I'd personally go for another
poster's suggestion of using a piano moving company.


Aut inveniam viam aut faciam

Goodwill won't even take textbooks. I think the top of my single-stream
recycling can says no textbooks. Shame they were so expensive at the time
that we had to purchase them.

A decent second-hand bookstore should buy them. At least, I've bought
several from second-hand sources to keep as references and they must
have got them from someone. Of course, if you happen to have a copy
of Euclid's Elements Vol. I and Vol. III (Books I, II, X, XI, XII, and
XIII), I'd be happy to take it off your hands to complete the set.
The local library doesn't even have the buggers anymore.
Aut inveniam viam aut faciam

I should add something....

You will remember that I mentioned that you should not sign off on the
move until you have verified that no damage has occurred AND that
nothing has been stolen.

At the same time, I for one would be somewhat hesitant to open all
those boxes in front of all those people especially if you are trying
to keep a low profile as to what you have for tools (can't steal what
you don't know about).

The way I work around this is to pack tools with their respective
accessories all in one box and then pack that box in a larger box with
other boxes containing tools. That way you have doubled boxed
everything for protection and by checking the number of boxes and their
seals at the destination, you can tell if anything has been removed.
The large box containing all these tools is much easier and faster to
load than a lot of smaller boxes that can easily be shoved under a
seat.

One other thing that I have done that I think helps....I make sure that
the crew is fed by buying them lunch in the form of pizza, burgers or
such. It is harder to steal from someone who has given you a free meal
and if they are stupid enought to still do it, it is much easier for
you to press charges against someone who just took advantage of you
after you have been kind to them.

TMT

I've been in the moving business for the past 12 years, starting as a
"lumper" and as a driver for the past 7 years. Go with a big name company
(United, Mayflower, Graebel, etc.), they won't pull the "fly-by-night" scams
you hear about.
If you can help it, don't move during the peak season (May-sept.). That's
the time when ALL the companies are so busy they need to use temp labor with
no experience. Also, don't go for the biggest discount. A good driver will
turn down the load if it doesn't pay enough, so you'll be stuck with a
second rate driver. Specifically as for a low claims driver. Also, pay the
little extra for "Full Replacement Value" on your shipment. That way if
anything happens, the van line/driver is on the hook to repair or replace
any damage item. Otherwise all they're liable for is $.60/lb.
Generally, any reputable, full service moving company should be able to
handle your machinery. We regularly move grand pianos, gun safes, and all
manner of machinery without any problems.

Mark

I think everyone here has talked me in to doing
it myself.

And, yes, I am a programmer. What's it to you?!?!?! (kidding)

My tools are bigger than bench top, but not exactly unisaws.
The tools I most care about are
Delta floor drill press
14 inch delta band saw
Jet 6 inch floor standing jointer
Rockwell (OLD Delta) contractor's table saw

Nothing a couple of friends can't move.

Thanks for the input.

And yeah, getting rid of textbooks really sucks.
Nobody wants them, they were expensive to buy, and
they are full of such good info. (Well, ok, old
programming books are nearly worthless)




Prometheus wrote in
:


I don't know how big your tools are, so this may be very good or very
bad advice. When I moved, I used a furniture dolly (the kind with the
strap to hold things in place when moving) and a low flatbed trailer
with a ramp, and moved all my tools myself. The major caveats to this
approach are that 1. My tools mainly fall into the "benchtop"
category, and even with stands full of ballast, the heaviest weighs
about 250 pounds, 2. I work with steel all day, so too heavy for me
and too heavy for, say, a computer programmer are not necessarily the
same thing, 3. My stands were all built by me, and have enough surface
area below the tools themselves to strap the stands down securely
without touching the fences or work surfaces, and 4. My shop was
moving from a street-level garage to a street-level basement- no
stairs or hills were involved in the move.

As long as you can do it, I'd vote for moving the tools yourself- no
one is going to be more careful with your shop than you are. But if
you've got a Unisaw and a 8" freestanding jointer and a 20" bandsaw,
you may be out of luck- in that case, I'd personally go for another
poster's suggestion of using a piano moving company.


Aut inveniam viam aut faciam

Mark, thanks!

I do happen to have a large gun safe (800 pounds empty).
I had no idea a "regular" moving company would even
consider moving it. I sure would prefer to deal with ONE
moving company instead of dealing with movers and riggers.

I think you just saved me some hassle. I will stick with the
bigger companies and ask them to quote with the safe.

AndyB

"Mark W. Keller" wrote in
k.net:

I've been in the moving business for the past 12 years, starting as a
"lumper" and as a driver for the past 7 years. Go with a big name
company (United, Mayflower, Graebel, etc.), they won't pull the
"fly-by-night" scams you hear about.
If you can help it, don't move during the peak season (May-sept.).
That's the time when ALL the companies are so busy they need to use
temp labor with no experience. Also, don't go for the biggest
discount. A good driver will turn down the load if it doesn't pay
enough, so you'll be stuck with a second rate driver. Specifically as
for a low claims driver. Also, pay the little extra for "Full
Replacement Value" on your shipment. That way if anything happens,
the van line/driver is on the hook to repair or replace any damage
item. Otherwise all they're liable for is $.60/lb. Generally, any
reputable, full service moving company should be able to handle your
machinery. We regularly move grand pianos, gun safes, and all manner
of machinery without any problems.

Mark

"AndyB" wrote in message
...

I think everyone here has talked me in to doing
it myself.

And, yes, I am a programmer. What's it to you?!?!?! (kidding)

My tools are bigger than bench top, but not exactly unisaws.
The tools I most care about are
Delta floor drill press
14 inch delta band saw
Jet 6 inch floor standing jointer
Rockwell (OLD Delta) contractor's table saw


All this discussion for ONE pickup truck load of stuff!!! :-)

William....



Nothing a couple of friends can't move.

Thanks for the input.

And yeah, getting rid of textbooks really sucks.
Nobody wants them, they were expensive to buy, and
they are full of such good info. (Well, ok, old
programming books are nearly worthless)




Prometheus wrote in
:


I don't know how big your tools are, so this may be very good or very
bad advice. When I moved, I used a furniture dolly (the kind with the
strap to hold things in place when moving) and a low flatbed trailer
with a ramp, and moved all my tools myself. The major caveats to this
approach are that 1. My tools mainly fall into the "benchtop"
category, and even with stands full of ballast, the heaviest weighs
about 250 pounds, 2. I work with steel all day, so too heavy for me
and too heavy for, say, a computer programmer are not necessarily the
same thing, 3. My stands were all built by me, and have enough surface
area below the tools themselves to strap the stands down securely
without touching the fences or work surfaces, and 4. My shop was
moving from a street-level garage to a street-level basement- no
stairs or hills were involved in the move.

As long as you can do it, I'd vote for moving the tools yourself- no
one is going to be more careful with your shop than you are. But if
you've got a Unisaw and a 8" freestanding jointer and a 20" bandsaw,
you may be out of luck- in that case, I'd personally go for another
poster's suggestion of using a piano moving company.


Aut inveniam viam aut faciam