A while back I asked for advice from the group about how to move my home workshop. I was concerned about how to move my Super 7 lathe (on industrial stand), Dore-Westbury mill+stand, Rapidor power saw, Kerry drilling machine, Alexander TCG, Taylor-Hobson engraver, several heavy benches, hand tools, materials stock etc without damage or injury. Having now settled in my new abode, I thought some others in the group might be interested in how it worked out.
As sometimes happens, it was all easier than expected. To start with I got quotes for the house move from 3 removal firms. In each case I showed them the workshop and explained all the issues. Two of the 3 were happy to move the machinery provided it could all be broken down into lumps which two strong men could move (using a sack truck if necessary). The firm I finally chose seemed the most helpful, and provided unlimited packing boxes (only cardboard though) tape, and paper wrapping material.
Next I found a very helpful local company (in Southampton) which specialises in new and second-hand industrial grade plastic removal crates. From them I bought a dozen large second-hand crates for =A35 each, They offered to buy back any I no longer needed after the move for =A33 each. I also bought a 100m x 0.5m roll of heavy-duty bubble wrap very cheaply on eBay.
The worst job was breaking down the machines into manageable lumps, bagging and tagging fasteners, and wrapping/packing the parts so they would not be damaged. Once this was done, packing smaller items, machine accessories, hand tools, material stock etc into the very strong plastic packing crates was quite easy. Lighter items went into cardboard removal cartons supplied by the removers. I numbered the crates and boxes, and kept a detailed list of what went into every crate/box.
Come the day of the move I was amazed at the speed and ease with which the removers shifted everything. From the workshop I had the broken- down machines, 12 heavy duty plastic crates, another 6 light-duty (B&Q) crates and 30 large, and heavy, cardboard moving boxes. The removal team moved and loaded these in less than an hour!
At the new location, unloading was as quick as loading. Nothing got lost or damaged, and I'm now looking forward to getting my new workshop built so that I can get the machines properly installed again.
- hope this is helpful to anyone else faced with a move.
Mike