The boys at the Post Office and UPS can really make a mess out of a bug
if they are not packed well. Bugs are heavy, so if dropped, they
really take a blow,... often times fatal !! A little extra care in packing
will help insure your bug arrives safe and sound.
Remove the plastic or Bakelite pieces where the fingers go. These
are the first to break; one little bump and they are shattered. Put the
pieces in a small plastic bag or envelope.
Remove the weights. They will vibrate loose, fall off the pendulum
and knock a chip out of the base every time the truck bounces. Put the
weights in the same plastic bag as the finger pieces or in a separate
ziplock bag or envelope.
Any small parts you remove should be wrapped in bubble sheet and
placed in a ziplock bag.
Run all the thumbscrews in so that the lever does not vibrate and
tie the pendulum to the damper with a rubber band or "twisty tie".
Wrap the entire bug in bubble sheet or foam sheet with several
layers. THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT !!!! The one inch bubble
wrap is most effective. Smaller bubble wrap does not cushion the
bug well from a blow. Four or five layers of bubble wrap is needed;
fewer layers will not cushion a blow.
Center the bug in a large box with tightly wadded newspaper or
more foam on all six sides. The packing should be tight enough so the
bug cannot float around.
The absolute best way to ship a bug is to double box it!
Pack the bug as described above in a smaller box, then put that box in
a larger one. The larger box should be at least one inch bigger
on all sides.
Even if the bug is in its original case, it needs to be packed
in the big box. Put cardboard shims tightly between the bottom
of the bug and the case. This will prevent the bug from sliding around
inside the case. Even better is to pack the bug and the case separately.
The foam peanuts do not work well because the bug is so heavy that
it will eventually float to one side and have no cushion from a blow.
Put you name and address on a string tab and tie to the bug.
If the outside of the box is destroyed, then the P.O. will know where
to return the bug.
Mark the package FRAGILE on the top and several sides and insure
for the value.
WHEN PACKING, TRY TO ENVISION WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE BUG WERE DROPPED
FROM FIVE OR SIX FEET !! You may have packed fragile items before.
But, have you packed something that is both HEAVY and FRAGILE?
Additional Useful Packing Tips:
On narrow based bugs, loosen the contact post screws from the
bottom and turn them such that the adjusting screw is parallel with
the base so they don't hang out and get bumped.
Two bugs in one box are best wrapped in bubble pack and then taped
together, bottom to bottom. This will keep them from shifting and
beating against each other.
