Here's the first prototype crate, which I built to a size suitable for shipping
one of my Scroll Basses. This crate went together with 72 screws total (32 to remove the lid!),
which I now realize was overkill.
The inside of the crate is flat wood on all sides. I can add attachment blocks
to the inside for fastening down heavy items, if you need them.
The intersections of all the braces are lap joints, fitted tightly and glued for
strength. The corners are trimmed off on an angle to reduce damage if the crate is dropped or
dragged.
|
|
Wooden Shipping Crates
Custom Built To Any Size
I now offer custom made wooden crates for superior protection of fragile and valuable items
during shipping. My crates are a good solution for Air Cargo and international shipment of
musical instruments, at far less cost than a flight case. Airlines generally will not insure
a musical instrument in a cardboard box, and many won't even accept them. For a long distance
sale of a valuable instrument, or for your own occasional travel by air, my crates offer
inexpensive protection.
My shipping crates are much higher quality than typical commercial crates, and are designed
to be used repeatedly. The six panels of the crate are assembled with screws, not nails, so
it can be opened without damage. After use, the crate can be taken apart and stored as flat
panels, to be used again later.
The panels are made of 1/4" birch plywood, and all of the braces (the strips around the edges)
are 3/4" x 1 1/2" poplar. The braces are all glued and stapled to the plywood, and all of the
intersections of the braces are glued lap joints. When all of the panels are screwed together,
these crates are very strong and impact resistant.
Dimensions:
I'll build your crate to the exact size that you specify; tell me the length, width, and depth
of the interior space that you need. Remember to allow space all around for whatever
padding that you intend to use. The external dimensions of the crate will be 2" larger in all
three directions. I'll assume that the panels described by the length and width dimensions, as
you give them to me, will be the the top and bottom, and will be the easiest to remove.
Weight Limits:
These crates are intended to carry up to 125 lbs of cargo inside. My crate provides the structural
shell, but you still have to use proper padding and secure mounting of your cargo inside to
protect it.
Pricing:
Prices are based on the sum of the three dimensions that you give me. Just add the length, width
and depth of the interior together:
Less than 50": $90
50" to 74": $120
75" to 99": $150
100" and above: $180
These prices do not include shipping. An empty crate sized for a guitar or bass weighs 20 to 22
lbs., and can easily be shipped by UPS.
|
|
