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AFCA Forums > Antique Fan Collectors Association > Pre-1950 (Antique) > How to pack a fan with cage and blade on.
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AFCA Forums > Antique Fan Collectors Association > Pre-1950 (Antique) > How to pack a fan with cage and blade on. | |||||
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| How to pack a fan with cage and blade on. | Rating: 
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 02:40 am |
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1st Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest 
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It seemed to me that removing the blade and cage would be as much work as shipping the fan all together. This is the first time I have tried this and Ron Powell will let me know if it worked. Edit: I no longer pack using the drapery cord but my overall methods are still similar but more refined. Most of the photos are on the second and third page of this post. Note about the "bad" photos on the first two pages; it seems like I have lost the Photobucket hosted photos. Go to the third page of this post and you'll see good photos of how I pack. Get box from dumpster. Get packing material from dumpster or wherever. Cut 1/8" or 1/4" plywood I happened to have on hand so it fits tightly in bottom of box. Strap rear of fan to the "backboard" after positioning a chunk of semi-soft foam from a cylinder I found in a dumpster last week under the motor with suitable cutout for gearbox and osc. wheel. I cut foam with a serrated kitchen knife. Add chunk of that foam under base and tighten ropes (drapery cord from a dumpster) by tying more rope around the loops. About 1" of peanuts in the bottom of the box with layer of bubblewrap on top of that. Put backboard into box. Cut four pieces of hard styrofoam packing (from dumpster) which will keep the backboard in the bottom of the box should the box be turned upside down. Add peanuts and other packing around fan. Push in as much as possible in the voids. Add thin foam sheeting and bubblewrap over cage and seal box well. Pray it gets to Ron in the same condition it went into the box. This may not have been easier than removing the blade and cage but it wasn't especially hard either. I think the fan may have better protection than if it were taken apart. At least I did it in a single box and feel confident that it will arrive...in perfect condition...maybe even better than new... Underside of backboard after tying fan tightly to the board.   I pulled this packing material out of a Staples dumpster just a few days ago knowing that I could surely use it. I'm too cheap to buy packing material and it's hard to find at times so I grab what I can when I can.  Below: Those four vertical pieces of scrap hard styrofoam near but not next to the cage are the secret to keep the fan located in the center of the box and not allow it to rest on the cage if the box gets upside down. The blocks sit atop the backboard and press on the box-top when closed.  A 3-star GE 12" fan weighs 25 pounds packed (below).  Last edited on Mon Dec 9th, 2019 07:33 pm by Steve Stephens |
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 02:49 am |
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2nd Post |
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Geoff Dunaway AFCA Member 
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That most certainly should work . The problem that most sellers can't come to grips with is the necessary steps to render the fan IMMOBILE in the CENTER of the box , or taking the time to find the right sized box. Good work Steve !!!
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 02:57 am |
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3rd Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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Thanks Geoff. I'm always trying to pack a fan in a smaller box than might be advisable mostly because I have had to pay high shipping prices to the west coast and want others to have minimal shipping costs. The first time my methods fail (should they) I may have to rethink packing strategy. Last edited on Fri Jun 5th, 2009 02:58 am by Steve Stephens |
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 03:07 am |
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4th Post |
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Mike Collins Guest 
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Steve that is a good system. But you're assuming the box stays right side up. I shipped a Diehl toilet bowl to a member one time using the same method. Somewhere along the line the gorillas that handle the boxes turned it upside down. That put the motor and base on top of the cage and blade with very little cushion between the cage and the top of the box. The result wasn't pretty.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 03:16 am |
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5th Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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Mike, I took that into consideration and that's what those four pieces of chunk styrofoam are for. They will support the backboard where it is near the box's bottom so it can't move toward the top of the box. Since the fan is tied and, thus, suspended tightly to the backboard if the box is upside down, the fan cant really move toward the top of the box and crush the cage. At least that's my intention. Can the USPS upset my plans?
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 03:23 am |
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6th Post |
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Alex Hart Guest
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This system helps with cost to farer destination because of the shipping costs and the import tax, although two boxes is cheaper when it arrives! I have found that THIS WAY UP .. stickers are also very professional and help. That applies to both one box and two scenarios. because even if the cage is removed the fan always likes to be kept up right! Last edited on Fri Jun 5th, 2009 03:27 am by |
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 03:36 am |
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7th Post |
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Mike Collins Guest
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No matter how you pack it- 2 lbs of brass on top of 25 lbs of cast iron=25lbs of cast iron on top of 2 lbs of brass=
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 04:35 am |
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8th Post |
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Ron Powell Guest 
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Steve, You forgot to tell them to make sure you get all the cigarette butts and coffee grounds out of the box after you dig out of the dumpster.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 05:08 am |
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9th Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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Mike Collins wrote:No matter how you pack it- 2 lbs of brass on top of 25 lbs of cast iron= It matters not if the motor can't force the cage into the packing or box and, in this case, I don't think it will. Ron, it matters not about the coffee grounds, old coffee, cigarette butts, and bags of doggie poop in the dumpster as you are going to restore the fan. Oh, I just pick around in CLEAN dumpsters. You can eat off my packing; just don't eat IT.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 05:17 am |
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10th Post |
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Ron Powell Guest
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CLEAN DUMPSTERS! You all in California wash your garbage before you throw it away? You know, somehow that figures with a movie star as Governor.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 06:22 pm |
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11th Post |
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Todd Mann Guest 
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Hey Steve...i would bet that if that fan is tossed pretty good it will snap right in half where there is no support in the middle....and...the stuff under it should be "springy" and give the fan some room to bounce....and you otta use my fragile labels ive shown ya to keep it pointed up! good luck!! Last edited on Fri Jun 5th, 2009 06:23 pm by Todd Mann |
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 11:50 pm |
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12th Post |
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Ron Powell Guest
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Geez!, You guys are so uplifting. Always the glass half full. Lord I hope most of you are WRONG about what may happen to that fan because you see, "IT'S MY FAN!" Here I was very confident in Steve's packing and not a worry in the world. Now I'm going to chew on my nails till it gets here.
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 11:54 pm |
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13th Post |
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Alex Hart Guest
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It's an internal post Ron and the fan has a good size box and is packed well! It will be fine! Imagine my position? I have to wait 2 weeks and it has to cross an ocean and be handled by at least 4 sets of underpaid postal staff!!  Steve has packed that fan like it was his baby!! It must be hard to sell a fan!! Last edited on Fri Jun 5th, 2009 11:55 pm by |
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 11:55 pm |
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14th Post |
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Peter Garcia Guest 
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I don't think that any of us are that inconsiderate to allow something like that to happen to any of our fans. I trust that Steve and any other member has thought things through far more then the average ebay seller!!! thats just my opinion, I like Steve's idea I think that it will work out great! Last edited on Fri Jun 5th, 2009 11:57 pm by Peter Garcia |
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| Posted: Fri Jun 5th, 2009 11:58 pm |
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15th Post |
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Ron Powell Guest
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Alex, I have one word for you, "JB Weld" (the other two are letters)
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 12:00 am |
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16th Post |
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Ron Powell Guest
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Peter, Thank you for your reassurance, I too think it'll be OK. Just wanted to make a stink is all.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 12:01 am |
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17th Post |
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Alex Hart Guest
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Also Ron that was one of the fans I was going to take of Steve till I lost my job!! Dont feel guilty!!  What is JB Weld?
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 12:02 am |
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18th Post |
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Alex Hart Guest
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AH...
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 12:02 am |
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19th Post |
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Ron Powell Guest
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Alex, Epoxy type glue! Don't fret none, I'll send you a picture of it after it's restoration. Last edited on Sat Jun 6th, 2009 12:04 am by Ron Powell |
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 12:03 am |
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20th Post |
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Alex Hart Guest
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AH ok
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 12:07 am |
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21st Post |
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Peter Garcia Guest
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Ron Powell wrote: CLEAN DUMPSTERS! You all in California wash your garbage before you throw it away? I clean my trash all the time....  doesnt every one do? you guys should put one up to. LOL!
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 01:22 am |
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22nd Post |
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Ryan Brescoe Guest
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I'm very curious to see how that works out. My main worry is the lack of center support. The stresses on the fan would be like those on a ship caught in a swell etc. Ron please, if you can, put up a picture of the moment of unpacking, even if the fan is ok. I'm curious to see the condition of the backboard and if/how the contents shifted while in transit. Steve, I see you are a rational, thoughtful, and sanitary dumpster picker. I once bought an old motor on ebay(arrived as cast iron fragments, of course) and the idiot who packed it actually employed a large quantity of used fast food wrappers wadded up as packing material. I'm not kidding. There was dried ketchup, cheese and other assorted burger debris still in the wrappers. This was after numerous email exchanges where he agreed to buy the proper stuff on my dime, of course and pack according to my instructions and drawings. I'm sure the fan will be fine. By the way, how much "give" is in that foam? It looks like the kind of stuff those long swimming pool toy thingies are made out of. They might be good to hack up and use for this purpose as well. I would imagine they are relatively cheap. R
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 01:41 am |
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23rd Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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Ryan Brescoe wrote:By the way, how much "give" is in that foam? It looks like the kind of stuff those long swimming pool toy thingies are made out of. The foam supporting the motor and base is like, I think, the belly boards for ocean surfing. It's quite stiff but gives some good shock absorption I'm hoping. It surely will help keep the fan in place in the box. Being as how the heavy motor is FLAT on the foam it's not quite like that ship at sea which probably has thousands oF TONS of Emerson Tripods, GE pancakes, and new bipolar motors in the hold in the CENTER of the ship. We'll see what happens with this one but I wouldn't have packed it that way if I thought it wasn't a good way. I can't say that it saved me any time over conventionaly packing but did allow the use of a smaller than usual box saving money at the shipping end and at the receiving end only if it arrives in good condition. Should I have shaken some Ketchup over the packing for good luck?
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 02:01 am |
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24th Post |
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Ralph Bliss Guest 
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Steve, the only thing that I would do different is to add foam blocks wedged between the motor and the sides and top of the box. Much like you did under the base. Cord has a way of stretching and getting loose. I tend to over pack everything, but in 11 years of selling mostly fragile items on ebay, I've never had an item damaged in transit. Overall, I think its a great packing job. Last edited on Sat Jun 6th, 2009 02:04 am by Ralph Bliss |
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 02:58 am |
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25th Post |
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Todd Mann Guest
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its usually right to put a fan on its back...but if the packing is hard like that it wont matter...the fans own weight will snap it up or even break the stator and rotor right through the covers...and if you dont cover your box in real nice fragile labels they wont pay up for the damage....not that i have had to deal with anything being broken...yet anyway......i say that sucker is already broke...yeah...this glass is definetly half empty....its not being ugly, its good advise...(glass half full?)
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 03:50 am |
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26th Post |
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William Schaub Guest
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I can't wait to see how it turns out. so much suspense.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 03:56 am |
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27th Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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Todd Mann wrote:...but if the packing is hard like that it wont matter...the fans own weight will snap it up or even break the stator and rotor right through the covers... That foam is firm, not hard, and supports the back of the motor well distributing the load over most of the motor cover. There is always a chance of damage to a fan as the shippers haven't told me how they are going to treat the box. I know, overpack, overpack and pray.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 04:01 am |
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28th Post |
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Alex Hart Guest
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Well I will tell ya!! Ron ...will go out in his truck late at night When he wakes.... He will discover 4 things! 1) It is morning and he has woken up (again) in the back of his truck 2) He has only 1 dollar in his pocket 3) He is sporting another set of XXL womens nickers around his neck !! 4) His door keys are next to a cardboard box, sitting in front of his door... which has been crushed.. not unlike the falling of a man trying to find and enter his home drunk! So steve if Ron tells you the fan has been broken in transit! Don't say I did not warn ya! LOL!
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 04:12 am |
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29th Post |
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Todd Mann Guest
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Hey Steve...print these out full page and cut em in half...put em on all side at the top...i think they have saved me A LOT of trouble.... Attached Image (viewed 4376 times):
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 04:28 am |
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30th Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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Print that out and use up all my red ink? No way. Thanks Todd, I printed enough for my next fan. Will try it; surely will help but I don't think they will adhere to DO NOT STACK. They pack as things come down the line and fit into a space whether it's on the top or bottom. Maybe I should make up a sticker that reads "VERY FRAGILE, RELIGIOUS STATUE".
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 07:20 am |
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31st Post |
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Jeff Rusnak AFCA Member 
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Steve,Looks like your fan will make the trip to it's destination alright,and you've taken alot of measures to ensure the fan arrives safely. Everyone has their own opinion on how to safely pack a fan for shipping.Heres my 2 cents !! The only thing I would add to the fans packing is to put the fan into a plastic bag tied up tight !!! Why you say ??  Styrofoam is a B~+%# to get out of the motor without having to take it apart to clean those little chunks out.It's very static and seems to adhere itself to just about everything.Maybe we should have a session at Fan Fair this year on fan packing ?? Just a suggestion.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 08:57 am |
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32nd Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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Jeff Rusnak wrote:The only thing I would add to the fans packing is to put the fan into a plastic bag tied up tight !!! Why you say ?? Simple; just a quick jet of air from my compressor and the little bits are gone. But, I know, not everyone has a compressor. Good tip and I will try to do that in the future Jeff. I know Geoff did a seminar on fan packing and he had his hands full with packing materials, etc. But, since everyone DOES have their own way to pack, maybe something like that would be good. Even a discussiion session on packing tips and how to notify sellers on how to pack.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 12:44 pm |
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33rd Post |
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Ralph Bliss Guest
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Using a plastic bag has its drawbacks. I've found that plastic bags tend to make the item more prone to slipping and sliding. Having the parts against the foam provides a better grip. By the way, my full time job is shipping packages. About 50,000 packages a year go through the UPS system with my name on the return address. I'm just glad the company I work for pays the bill, About $4,000 a week!
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| Posted: Sat Jun 6th, 2009 05:19 pm |
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34th Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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Ralph Bliss wrote:Using a plastic bag has its drawbacks. I've found that plastic bags tend to make the item more prone to slipping and sliding. I can see that Ralph. So, one man's great idea is debunked by another. Experience in packing and shipping counts for so much. I hope my packing does what it's supposed to do; have the fan arrive in many broken pieces so you'll have to buy more replacement fans from me. (Ralph has some of my fans on the way to him so he can critique my packing).
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| Posted: Tue Jun 9th, 2009 01:02 am |
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35th Post |
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Ron Powell Guest
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OK! Here we go again! I've posted somethings today and did some PM's and there disappearing. I don't know, maybe dementia. But here goes again. There were a few of you out there that mentioned that it might not make it and one that I recall said it wouldn't at all. Well it didn't show up as a ball of brass and iron, nor does it need a half pound of J-B Weld to hold it together. In fact it showed up this morning just the way Steve shipped it. Thanks to Steve's caring and Professional packing it arrived in perfect condition. Thank you Steve PS. I'm saving this reply to a word Doc. so I'll know I posted it and can repost if nessasary.
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| Posted: Tue Jun 9th, 2009 01:27 am |
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36th Post |
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William Schaub Guest
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Ron Powell wrote: OK! Here we go again! I've posted somethings today and did some PM's and there disappearing. I don't know, maybe dementia. That's great news! I've been waiting to see how this all turned out. Last edited on Tue Jun 9th, 2009 01:27 am by |
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| Posted: Tue Jun 9th, 2009 01:55 am |
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37th Post |
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Ralph Bliss Guest
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Glad to hear it arrived in good condition. 
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| Posted: Tue Jun 9th, 2009 02:55 am |
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38th Post |
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Alex Hart Guest
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Alex Hart wrote:Well I will tell ya!! Last edited on Tue Jun 9th, 2009 02:57 am by |
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| Posted: Thu Jun 11th, 2009 08:17 am |
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39th Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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Here's my second attempt at packing a large, heavy fan with the cage and blade on. I made some minor adjustments to my first try. This fan is a R&M 1404 weighing 24 lbs. A Westy tank weighs 23 lbs. Also, I packed a 29646 right after this R&M in pretty much the same way. Each fan requires some modification to the packing as my scrounged packing materials on hand change. These fans both were shipped today. Todd, I used your FRAGILE printouts on the two fans. On these two fans I made sure to provide extra support under the neck:     
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| Posted: Wed Jan 6th, 2010 07:17 pm |
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40th Post |
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Steve Stephens Guest
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An update on this method of packing. I have now shipped at least 7 or 8 fans this way (without removing blade and cage) including at least one cast iron 16" Emerson big motor 27648 and all have arrived with no damage. It works! That is, if you do it right. I use my handy dandy "strapping table" to get under the plywood and tie the cords under the plywood board. The table is a wroght iron table for a 1928 Atwater Kent metal radio that allows me to set the plywood and fan on top and have access through the bottom for tying. I guess one could support the plywood between two kitchen chairs and work from underneath that way. I don't think I would recommend this method to sellers as it's a bit complicated but I find it works great for me and probably saves the buyer some postage costs by allowing the fan to fit into a much smaller box than if the blade and cage were removed. I'll be continuing to pack my fans this way.
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