EH Scott Radio Enthusiasts

The Fine Things are Always Hand Made

Hi, I'm looking to buy a philly from member, no cabinet, just the tuner, amp, speaker and face plate.  I've contacted Craters & Freighters and their quote seems steep. I don't have any experience with them but the little I've heard is positive. Will need to have the parts packed and then shipped from the Detroit area to MIlwaukee. Any other packing/shipping services that you recommend? Thanks, Karl

Views: 100

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I have no faith in a packing service for the most part, but if Craters and Freighters are making wood cases, then you should be fine.  Don't be tempted to have this dropped off at the UPS store and let them pack it, otherwise it won't survive. 

What I have done in the past is to ship appropriate boxes to seller along with packing material.  They put items in the box and pack per my instructions and send to me.  I have even supplied UPS return labels for them.  Last time I did this with a Philharmonic, I spend about $300 to ship empty boxes and have them returned to me with items.  Not cheap, but set arrived safely.  I like to glue 1/8" masonite board to the insides of the boxes to really toughen them up. 

One thing for certain is to make sure the 15" speaker has a piece of plywood screwed over the face so the cone doesn't get damaged- and tie up the cord on it tightly.  I had a Hallicrafters speaker where the cord went thru the opening in the rear of the speaker and destroyed the cone. 

Good luck. 

I shipped a Philharmonic in a cabinet in 2006 from Boston to New Mexico using Craters & Freighters and they did a great job. Back then I think it cost me $750. I'm sure it cost much more today. 

Today we have USHIP. If you can get the seller to put a 2' x 2' plywood board over your 15" speaker screwed down to protect the speaker cone.  You then have the seller  pack the tuner and amp in separate plastic bags, placing them in separate double wall boxes with packing peanuts. If you have tweeters with screens over the front of the cone do the same: plastic bag, double wall box and peanuts. If the seller will do all this for you. I would use USHIP. https://www.uship.com They bid for your shipping job, which helps the price come down. This process can take a 2-3 weeks.  If it is a short hall it could cost less than $250. Long hauls $400 to $500. USHIP will give you an average cost online with their online calculator. USHIP uses independent shippers to do the hauling. The shipper comes to your sellers home of place of business pick up the items and delivers it to you directly. They call and your meet them for the delivery. I have had good luck with this method of shipping. 

Thanks Dave and Scott. I'm pretty sure the seller is unable to pack these even If I would send him the boxes,  I just put in a request at uship, but I'm leery of them. Dave, Craters & Freighters quoted $675, so not out of line with what you paid 14 years ago. Driving out there is another option...

For the time/distance, I would run and pick it up. Google maps puts Milwaukee/Detroit at 400 miles, about 6 hours. It could be done in a day (start early, home late), but I'd be inclined to make it an over night run. I've done one day runs longer than this myself. No worries about packing and probably cheaper even with a night in a cheap hotel.

Kent

Kent, that was my 1st thought, and looks like that's best way. As you can imagine, a poor packing job will be the ruins for this philly.

Agree - do drive to get it.

Better you handle cables, protecting and carrying the set and protecting amp tubes and speaker(s). That way you know you get everything. If the radio is misrepresented, you discover up front.

*

Recently, a person came to OH from WA for a very nice, complete Philly (no cabinet) to take back on AMTRAC.

FYI - U-Hall has a nice selection of boxes. 

They have a heavy duty double walled equipment box 24x24 by about 20 inches high, that can be trimmed down to about 14 inches high. Bought 4x8' sheet of 3/4 inch foam board (Home Depot) which I cut up to reinforce the bottom, front and back of box, plus additional pieces stacked and taped in front to protect the dial and control shafts. With careful fitting, also the sides. And another on top. Remove the eye bar and wrap it with bubble wrap.

Enough to ship commercially,?? Maybe.  Mark FRAGILE !!!   Still a gamble!

U-Hall has a 24 inch long narrow box for packing dishes that is a good size for the amp. Again reinforce box with foam boards.

And an 18x18 box suitable for the speaker, cone protected by plywood screwed to the speaker basket and more foam boards under and sides, ....  The amp tubes  bubble wrapped in with the speaker.

The 3 boxes cost about $30. Did add some bagged peanuts to further stabilize the speaker. Do secure the cables.

This is how I packed the Philly for the buyer's trip home. He looked it over and together we packed it up for his trip.

*

Much better to go get a set in person. The peace of mind and savings may be enough to cover gas and motel expense.

I have traveled as far as TX for a Scott.

I have used Craters and Freighters in the past with no problems, both times shipping large consoles. That being said, for that distance, I'd make it a mini-RADIOcation and drive it. 

Reply to Discussion

RSS

© 2024   Created by Kent King.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service