Am shipping a TT to a member - and he has suggested reading these links.

[richardinalex]

Only thing is I can't find them - and the link doesn't work from my computer - strange message about "administrator rights?"

http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=10627.0
http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=96.0

Am normally quite good at finding my way around. Apparently not here! Any help

Richard

[richard]

Just a friendly word.

Most of the turntables that I know of that were purchased on eBay have arrived damaged, including the ones that I've bought. Damage is so common that I'm hesitant to ship any for which I don't have the original packing.

When we don't have the original box and all the original inserts, it's really important to engage the brain and pack very thoughtfully. Everything that I have sold on eBay and shipped has arrived in perfect condition, but it has taken me, sometimes, 2-3 hours to do it properly. None of these items were turntables.

I can't emphasize this enough. Best wishes; it's great to preserve those classic Lencos.

[wer]

Have just copied the text for you:


Sadly many of us have had Lencos arrive through the post in bits.  Ropie has kindly provided the following which you may find useful when buying a Lenco that requires shipping.


Please could you ensure that the turntable is packed carefully for shipping. Preferred packing materials are bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard. The box should be larger than the actual assembled turntable. I suggest the following simple method:

1. If the platter is removeable (most are) please remove, wrap separately and pack _underneath_ the plinth. If the platter is not removeable please remove the mat and pack under the plinth.

2.Please tighten the red motor transit screws under the platter

3. Ensure the arm is securely fastened to the arm rest using elastic bands or similar to hold it in place.

4. Ensure the headshell and/or cartridge/stylus is securely fitted to the end of the arm. If not remove and pack very carefully in a suitable container so that the stylus is protected.

5. Remove any counterweights from the rear of the arm and wrap separately, again underneath the plinth if possible. Set the antiskating force to zero if possible.

6. Any other loose items usually kept on the turntable (eg: headshells, 7-inch adapters, etc) will also need to be removed and wrapped separately.

7. If there is a lid this should be left in place and taped shut with a small piece of masking tape.

8. Wrap the entire turntable carefully in several turns of bubble wrap to completely cover it (please don't turn it upside down to do so).

9. Put a layer of bubble wrap at the bottom of the box, then on this place a layer of cardboard. On top of that place the bubble-wrapped platter and then another layer of cardboard. On that goes the turntable. Additional rolls of bubble wrap or polystyrene should be placed all around between the turntable body and the inside of the box, though this should not be too tight.

10. Wrap the mains plug in bubble wrap and place to the rear of and underneath the turntable. If this is not possible please remove the plug completely and do not pack it.

11. Finally, place an extra few layers of bubble wrap on top of the turntable and ideally leave a gap of around 2 cm between the top of the bubble wrap and the closed box lid.

12. Seal the box around all its edges with packing tape.

Please accept my apologies if the above was already obvious to you!

[mfrench]

Some packing ideas for you.
The recipient on this one said that it could have been air-dropped in a fly-by, and still ended upon perfect shape:

platter layer:


turntable/plinth layer:


sundries layer:





On this one, ^^, there was a layer of foam insulation sheet below the platter layer.
There was also blank foam insulation layers between each critical layer to isolate each critical layer.
At the very top was another blank foam sheet layer as a cap.

[mfrench]

Another recent example from a couple of weeks ago:

Turntable top plate, motor, idler wheel:


Platter:





Packing:
Beginning at bottom layer; a blank piece of foam as box bottom.
Then the platter layer:


Sidewalls fortified:


blank layers of foam between platter and top plate layer:


Top plate,motor, idler wheel, tonearm layer:


Sundries layer, and bracing filler to fill box:



Top cap (actually not showing second top layer to totally fill box to top):


This package arrived in perfect shape, including outer box, as the interior was so completely fortified.

Both of these shipments were sent out via the least expensive United States Postal Service shipping. I did insure them, and got tracking numbers to supply to the buyers.

edit: to correct improper link to image

[itskeith]

Superbly helpfull and well timed thank you. Got one to send out in the next few days.

Cheers.
 

[ropie]

How much extra do you get paid per hour to put those packages together, Mike

[autobayer]

Mike,
can I send you a Lenco to send it ... elsewhere?
We should start a packing guide topic.
AMAZING!
C

[endrik35]

Mike,
can I send you a Lenco to send it ... elsewhere?
We should start a packing guide topic.
AMAZING!
C

Chris sent me a Lenco from a thousand miles and it reached our shores unscathed! It may not be as neat and tidy as the pics on the packing guide manual but it surely did the Job! For packing needs , you can direct your concerns to Chris! Thanks buddy!

[mfrench]

How much extra do you get paid per hour to put those packages together, Mike

Reward:
Peace of mind knowing that the deck will not be grenaded in transit.

Truth, it takes a couple of hours to do it right.
A sheet of foam insulation at 1" thick is around $12, and a box is another $2 or so.  I ask for that to be included in the sale price as S&H.

[GP49]

I've been lucky, I guess.  

When purchasing a turntable I send a message to the seller asking that it be packed in a certain manner.  I do
consider whether the platter is a taper fit, or if it is secured by a clip.  If secured, I ask that the platter be wedged
with cardboard underneath so it won't turn and to take some of the load off the thrust bearing, and then taped
from the top.  Not spinning is important, especially if it's an automatic turntable; you don't want the platter spinning
and randomly operating the mechanical bits that cycle the tonearm.

If it's a taper fit, I ask that the platter come off and be packed in padding or bubble wrap, underneath the main body
of the turntable.

Isolating the dust cover from the main body of the turntable is important but most of the ones I buy have cracked or
damaged dust covers; still, care in packing has meant that I could glue them to restore function, if not appearance.

Sufficient padding all around to isolate it from impacts and to keep it from moving around inside the box when shook,
thrown or vibrated is important.

I have had ONE instance of a turntable that was damaged in transit in the past ten years, among a few dozen of them.  
That one got damaged because the seller didn't remove the platter from its tapered hub, and it came loose in transit.
A knob got knocked off (I put it back on), the plastic window for the strobe came adrift (superglue), and some markings
on the controls got scratched.  VERY luckily the platter did not wipe out the tonearm!  I contacted the seller, courteously
explained that he hadn't removed the platter as requested, and that damage had occurred.  He acknowledged, said he'd
forgotten, and asked if I wanted a refund (I didn't, I'd rather have the merchandise at the low price I paid) or offered $25
for my trouble.  I told him $15 was fine, and everybody was happy.  A week later a check came in the mail, plus some
accessories he forgot he had, including an extra cartridge mounting clip that probably would have cost another $20-30 if I
were to buy one; mounted on it was an Audio-Technica cartridge with a good stylus.

[petlin]

Have just copied the text for you:


Sadly many of us have had Lencos arrive through the post in bits.  Ropie has kindly provided the following which you may find useful when buying a Lenco that requires shipping.


Please could you ensure that the turntable is packed carefully for shipping. Preferred packing materials are bubble wrap and corrugated cardboard. The box should be larger than the actual assembled turntable. I suggest the following simple method:

1. If the platter is removeable (most are) please remove, wrap separately and pack _underneath_ the plinth. If the platter is not removeable please remove the mat and pack under the plinth.

2.Please tighten the red motor transit screws under the platter

3. Ensure the arm is securely fastened to the arm rest using elastic bands or similar to hold it in place.

4. Ensure the headshell and/or cartridge/stylus is securely fitted to the end of the arm. If not remove and pack very carefully in a suitable container so that the stylus is protected.

5. Remove any counterweights from the rear of the arm and wrap separately, again underneath the plinth if possible. Set the antiskating force to zero if possible.

6. Any other loose items usually kept on the turntable (eg: headshells, 7-inch adapters, etc) will also need to be removed and wrapped separately.

7. If there is a lid this should be left in place and taped shut with a small piece of masking tape.

8. Wrap the entire turntable carefully in several turns of bubble wrap to completely cover it (please don't turn it upside down to do so).

9. Put a layer of bubble wrap at the bottom of the box, then on this place a layer of cardboard. On top of that place the bubble-wrapped platter and then another layer of cardboard. On that goes the turntable. Additional rolls of bubble wrap or polystyrene should be placed all around between the turntable body and the inside of the box, though this should not be too tight.

10. Wrap the mains plug in bubble wrap and place to the rear of and underneath the turntable. If this is not possible please remove the plug completely and do not pack it.

11. Finally, place an extra few layers of bubble wrap on top of the turntable and ideally leave a gap of around 2 cm between the top of the bubble wrap and the closed box lid.

12. Seal the box around all its edges with packing tape.

Please accept my apologies if the above was already obvious to you!

Is there anyone out here who is able and willing to translate these instructions into German? Your help will be much appreciated 

[flencolix]

1) Plattenteller abnehmen und separat verpacken
2) Transitschrauben des Motors festziehen (die roten)
3) Tonarm am Tonarmhalter festbinden
4) Headshell/Tonabnehmer abbauen und separat sicher verpacken
5) alle Gegengewichte des Tonarms, ggf. Antiskate auf Null stellen
6) alle weitere fragile und lose Teile abnehmen und separat verpacken
7) Abdeckhauben angebaut lassen und mit unkritischem, reversiblen Klebeband fixieren
8 ) den ganzen Plattenspieler in mehrere Lagen Luftpolsterfolie einschlagen
9) Den Karton mit einer Bodenschicht aus Luftpolsterfolie ausschlagen, darauf den Plattenteller legen, gefolgt von einer
    Papptafel. Darauf den Plattenspieler platzieren, umbaut von Polstermaterial
10) Blödsinn
11) Polstermaterial auf dem Plattenspieler ausbreiten.
12) Karton verschliessen und mit kräftigem Klebeband sicher verkleben

[flencolix]

If you send this to someone in Germany, leave out 10) 

[willbewill]

If you send this to someone in Germany, leave out 10)