Moving... how do I pack completed models???

[gtirob01]

As title says. Moving across the country. How can I safely pack my completed models to have the least chance of them breaking, getting crushed, etc..?

Rob

[2.2 Straight six]

a good cardboard box, and each model individually wrapped in bubble-wrap seems to work.

just make sure you but the box full of models on top of the other stuff in the removals truck.

[Icon Modeler]

Originally Posted by gtirob01

As title says. Moving across the country. How can I safely pack my completed models to have the least chance of them breaking, getting crushed, etc..?

Rob

Boy, It's your lucky day! I've done this four times very successfully. It is not cheep to do, but I was able to do so four times without any major damage. The first thing I did was go to Home Depot and get yourself a bunch of plastic tote bins, You could use cardboard boxes but I think the totes are stronger and will withstand more. Then you put the complete model less any removeable body parts into a plastic bag. Zip lock for smaller models, small size trash can linner for bigger models. Last you will need heeps of stirofoam popcorn. Start by putting a small layer of popcorn in the bottom of the tote, about 2 inches. Then insert the bagged model and file with more popcorn until it is just over the top of the bagged model. Then insert a second model and top the tote off with popcorn. This is the method I used. I would put two models (1/12 scale) per tote box. I moved 20 or so 1/12 scale models from Los Angeles to Indianapolis and back and then from LA to Phoenix and back without any major damage.

Good Luck,

Icon Modeler

[willimo]

I just moved across country - Boston to Albuquerque, and I moved my models mostly safely. Since we had movers move our stuff, and also drove our own car, what I did was get a single tupperware large enough for all my cars (something like 2'x3'x2'). I cut C shaped slits toward the rear of the container, so that when I loaded it into my car, I could strap it in with the seatbelt in the backseat. This would prevent it from sliding forward if I had to hit the brakes. Then, I laid t-shirts down in the box, and put my models on the t-shirt, and kind of bunched the t-shirt up to create partitions between my models. Once the first layer was down - cars that were mostly flat and could stand stuff on top of them (Ferrari F430, Honda Civic, for example), I put down another layer of t-shirts, and repeated the process. The models that were tall and fragile on top (Hilux on swampers with KC lights, 787B with antennae and an open door, for example) were placed on top of all the stouter cars, and it was all immobilized as well as I could manage with t-shirts. I like t-shirts because the soft cotton won't scratch or react with paint. And I make them all fit pretty tightly so they won't move and smack into each other and break.

In all, the damage ended up being four side mirrors, the two backward-facing searchlights on my Hilux, and some heavy damage to the front wheel/axle of the truck. I was able to repair it all in an afternoon, and counted myself lucky. Good luck with your move, and I hope you find something that works for you!

[gtirob01]

Nice! Thanks guys. Thats some good advice there. Im sure I'll use a little of each for my move! Moving from California to Florida!

Have a few models Ive recently finished, will take pics and post them up after my trip! Got the MB CLK DTM Team Warsteiner (first time using PE and CF), 69 Camaro Z28 with flip paint, and an orange 69 Shelby GT500.