Re: [ARSCLIST] 78 RPM Packing Advice Requested

[George Brock-Nannestad <pattac@xxxxxxxx>]

From: Patent Tactics, George Brock-Nannestad

I have once bought shellac records that I filled directly onto pallets (6 of
them) inside what I would translate as "pallet frames". These constitute
collapsible wooden frames with steel hinges that fit closely to a standard
pallet and which may be stacked for instance 6 frames high (about 4 feet) or
higher. However you only need the height to go a bit above the records. One
so-to-speak creates a big wooden crate having a pallet as the bottom. The
records were in two layers only - one consisting of two tightly filled rows
of 12" along the length of the pallet, and a further layer consisting of
several (this was in 1984, so I forget how many) rows of 10" records across
on top. It should be noted that in Denmark, records not in albums almost
always came in stiff carton covers with a reasonably identical height, making
a reasonable flat top surface when placed in rows.

The bottom was covered in styrofoam sheet, about 1" thick, and the inside
surfaces of the pallet frames were covered in the same, all cut from
insulating sheets from a home-building supply market. All spaces were filled
with strips of the same, and there was a layer between the two layers of
records. There was no lid as such (it was a local transport with a truck
having a hydraulic platform) but tarpaulin for each. The frames were fixed in
the habitual way by means of steel strips (blue plastic these days) tightened
and with a small clamp. All it required was a rain-proof area where the 5
pallets could stand while they were filled, and a tarpaulin to protect them
until the truck came. If you use this solution, there would no need to buy
boxes at all.

> >
> Is there any particular reason that 11" x 11" x 11" would be better than
> 10"x10"x10"?  The 10" inch box would certainly make for a tighter fit.
> Is the concern based on the fact that, with a 10" box, the edge of the
> records would be touching the interior walls on all 4 sides?  The 10"
> boxes are about 20 percent less expensive than the 11" boxes - but since
> my main concern is that the records arrive in good shape, that price
> difference is certainly not my deciding factor.

----- I would say that if any manual moving of the records occurs, it is wise
to pad with 1" styrofoam on every side, increasing the size of the box.
Someone may drop a box. Modern styrofoam does not do any degassing of styrene
to any amount that might attack records during the short period they would be
in contact.

>
> I am going to want to keep the storage albums as I have a feeling that I
> will have an easier time getting some of my money back by selling them
> than I will finding someone who wants the records that don't match my
> listening tastes.

----- when shipping records via mail or as airline luggage I separate records
from albums or sleeves and stack them interleaving with newsprint. 3 inches
of records is handy, and package tape or duct tape is efficient for keeping
the stack together.


> My concern is with the safety of
> records that might be in albums that may have only 1 or 2 out of 10
> sleeves filled.  I have not seen the collection in person,  so I am not
> sure what percentage of such albums there may be.  When I look at empty
> or nearly empty albums, I notice that the ends of the covers come
> together at an angel.

----- right you are, this is a very dangerous situation. But most important
of all: you can only stack records that are flat. If you have dished records
you would need to mate them according to "dishihess".

  Or is it better to alternate the direction of
> the spine on each album?  I have never really trusted albums so I rarely
> use them.

----- I alternate albums, but the ideal way is to alternate while centering
the records inside the albums. Due to lack of space, I have one stack of
albums sitting vertically like this on the floor. Strips of - yes, styrofoam
again - could be put at the non-spine end to keep the distance.

In shipping records back home (Denmark) with our luggage, the only breakage
of one record occurred because Homeland Security re-packed the inspected
baggage in a most inexpert way - they reversed the order of a stiffening
board and a shock-absorbing styrofoam sheet. I have complained to their
website in June, 2003, but I have had no response at all. So, if it were
possible, I would use a truck anytime.

Kind regards, and good luck,

George