styrofoam peanuts vs. bubble wrap

[weirdami]

Which is better for shipping an A3000: styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap. Assume the following things...that the A3000 would protected from tiny styrofoam bits getting inside by a plastic bag...and that the space to be filled by packing material is of equal size for both material types. Let's say that the box is 6 inches taller and 6 inches wider and 6 inches longer than an A3000 (3 inches on each side) -- a rather substantial box, indeed.

Consider both national and international (overseas) shipping when giving your opinion.

Is there anything better to use than styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap? I don't have an original type A3000 box, so that's out. But, I might agree that it would be the best thing.

[AmigaPete]

Hey weird,
How about a stereo/CD player/VCR box? IIRC an A3000 is about the same size as an audio component. Just wrap the A3000 in bubble wrap until those styrofoam side thingys fit nice and snug on the sides and then slide it into the box.

Pete

P.S. I have never done this but since audio companies ship their stuff in these boxes an A3000 should do alright.

[iamaboringperson]

I prefer bubble wrap. It's 'cleaner', and it seems to do a better job.

[BouncingAyatollah]

Try and get some super-size bubble wrap - with blisters about an inch across. I got a monitor more or less suspended in the stuff in a huge box and it was ace. Don't leave it on the floor though or you get surprise "blister mines" when you walk about in socks.

Or a combo, entirely wrap and seal the A3000 in super bubble wrap. Fill 5 inches of bottom of box with peanuts, lay in A3000, fill sides and top with peanuts? For safest transport you want the items to be packed in so they can't move around, so REALLY the best solution would be super bubble wrap and buy/find a box with less leeway.

[Madgun68]

Or a combo, entirely wrap and seal the A3000 in super bubble wrap. Fill 5 inches of bottom of box with peanuts, lay in A3000, fill sides and top with peanuts? For safest transport you want the items to be packed in so they can't move around, so REALLY the best solution would be super bubble wrap and buy/find a box with less leeway.

This is exactly what I'd do.. Best overall solution.

[weirdami]

Do you think my box is too big? Can I get away with smaller, or is three inches of bubble wrap and peanuts just about right?

Or a combo, entirely wrap and seal the A3000 in super bubble wrap. Fill 5 inches of bottom of box with peanuts, lay in A3000, fill sides and top with peanuts?

Do you mean, instead of making a bubble ball out of the A3000, just cover it in one layer of super bubble wrap and fill the extra space with peanuts? I have loads of peanuts, and I'm sure I have enough for one layer of super bubble wrap. If you guys have good experiences with this method, I'll go with that. I needed a good excuse to get rid of all those peanuts. :-)
 

[aardvark]

Just make sure the peanuts don't get inside the A3000. Unless they are the pink variety they generate a sheepload of static electricity.  God preserve me from idiots that pack circuit boards in packing chips directly! :pissed:

[iamaboringperson]

Just break up some big foam chunks, and rip up some cardboard, and put some old plastic bags and newspapers in there.

That's what I always do.

[Holley]

I'd use regular bubblewrap 2 layers deep, then folded cardboard on all sides, tightly packed.  You don't want it to move, get dented by something landing on it awkwardly, or be squashable!  This from someone who used to pack containers to go to the middle east ;-)

I use both.

Use bubblewrap to make sure the case doesn't get scuffed
up, and to keep the peanuts out, instead of the plastic bag.

Use peanuts to make sure the case doesn't bash against the side of the box and into something else

Neko

[melott]

I've done it twice now.....

What I did was use big blocks of foam to block
the corners so it doesn't move around in the box.
Also I first put the computer in a plastic bag
then wraped it in bubble wrap.
These were an A500 and then an A1200, with an A3000
the bubble warp wouldn't be necessary.
I'd just put it in a large heavy-duty trash bag to keep
out the peanuts. Then block the corners well so it
couldn't move in the box then fill the box with peanuts.
Look at the way they pack a TV or VCR, take their example.

[lofstudio]

What I've started doing recently is saving the big pillow packing material from Amazon.com and my job. I make a bed for whatever I'm shipping, wrap the item in a single layer of bubble wrap and then stuff as many of the pillows int othe remaining space.

[redrumloa]

Wrap it in LARGE bubble-wrap first, then put it in a box with substancial peanuts on all side. Make sure when you tape up the box it is TIGHT so nothing can shift around.

[weirdami]

@redrumload

That seems to be the consensus, more or less, in this thread. I'll do it. Styrofoam peanut cache be gone with ye! hehehe!

[redrumloa]

weirdami wrote:
@redrumload

That seems to be the consensus, more or less, in this thread. I'll do it. Styrofoam peanut cache be gone with ye! hehehe!

If you need more supplies look HERE. I forget how far north you said you are, but this place may be worth the drive. It's where I buy all my supplies.