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That and Amazon always uses bubble wrap, never paper? Why not paper Amazon

I have a small bit (about 2 years) of experience on this one. I used to pack boxes for a company that shipped all sorts of hardware. (Hardware store kind of stuff, not like computer hardware.) Paper is a HUGE pain in the ass. It certainly is an effective packing material, but I can't stress enough how much overhead is involved.

We had two types: 30" wide rolls and 2'x3' sheets. (like this and this) The first problem, shit's heavy. 30-50 lbs per roll/bundle. It takes a lot of work to just move it around, it takes up a lot of space to stack it and store it. Likely Amazon's biggest problem with it, the labor costs to shove it into a box. A small-ish (6x8x4) box that's half-full of whatever takes about 3-5 feet off a roll, or 2-3 sheets off a stack. And it goes up fast for bigger boxes. I realize that doesn't sound like a lot, but if your job is to stuff 100 boxes/hour (probably more, for Amazon) that's a whole lot of paper you have to pay someone to shove into a box.

From a labor perspective, the air pillow are amazing. The rolls of feed-stock are lighter. The pillows themselves are essentially weightless. It takes a lot less effort to pull them out of the hopper than to unspool/crumple up kraft. And they take less time to shove them into a box. Their downfall, and why we quit using them, they didn't hold up well enough for the type of stuff we were shipping... They don't do well with heavy/pointy things. But I can see why Amazon would use them, a lot of the stuff they ship is already in a box.

That and Amazon always uses bubble wrap, never paper? Why not paper Amazon

I have a small bit (about 2 years) of experience on this one. I used to pack boxes for a company that shipped all sorts of hardware. (Hardware store kind of stuff, not like computer hardware.) Paper is a HUGE pain in the ass. It certainly is an effective packing material, but I can't stress enough how much overhead is involved.

We had two types: 30" wide rolls and 2'x3' sheets. (like this and this) The first problem, shit's heavy. 30-50 lbs per roll/bundle. It takes a lot of work to just move it around, it takes up a lot of space to stack it and store it. Likely Amazon's biggest problem with it, the labor costs to shove it into a box. A small-ish (6x8x4) box that's half-full of whatever takes about 3-5 feet off a roll, or 2-3 sheets off a stack. And it goes up fast for bigger boxes. I realize that doesn't sound like a lot, but if your job is to stuff 100 boxes/hour (probably more, for Amazon) that's a whole lot of paper you have to pay someone to shove into a box.

From a labor perspective, the air pillow are amazing. The rolls of feed-stock are lighter. The pillows themselves are essentially weightless. It takes a lot less effort to pull them out of the hopper than to unspool/crumple up kraft. And they take less time to shove them into a box. Their downfall, and why we quit using them, they didn't hold up well enough for the type of stuff we were shipping... They don't do well with heavy/pointy things. But I can see why Amazon would use them, a lot of the stuff they ship is already in a box.

My buddy was running 1/2" thick foam core. It really is available, though your local art supply store may not have it in stock. http://www.uline.com/ has 1/2" foam core at their website. The point of 1/2" thickness is to get as much rigidity as possible in your diaphram. You could also probably get away with gluing up two 1/4" pieces. As a 2 ply laminate, that might provide even greater rigidity.

Instead of vinyl tape with silicone adhesive, try this:

http://www.uline.com/BL_6420/G...

It is PET, the same plastic as a 2L soda bottle, and the adhesive is silicone based. I have found it impossible to tear, easy to cut, and it has much better adhesive strength than kapton tape.

Standing only.

The chair has extra long legs. It is a sit/stand type:

i.e.

http://www.uline.com/Product/D...

These things already exist. Tip'n'tells, shockwatch, and drop'n'tell. Damage indicators

Yep they not only already exist, but have for a long time.

I've seen a lot of those used on crates that were used to transport
expensive electronics and specialized computers to the job site.

These things already exist. Tip'n'tells, shockwatch, and drop'n'tell. Damage indicators

The only thing new about this is it's electronic

the problem is most envelopes can be steamed open you would need to somehow prove that the envelope has not been tampered with.

I would suggest you use something like http://www.uline.com/BL_1552/Self-Seal-Flat-Tyvek-Envelopes (nearly impossible to open without destroying the seal) and sign the seal a couple times.

go spin your lies to someone else. a cylinder is more sturdy than a box... simple physics, moron. thanks for confirming the frequency of tube damage.

Yes, but a cylinder also has the property of being able to roll with ease. When a package rolls, it inevitably finds itself lodged under other cylinders called tires. The crush weight of whatever may roll over your tube will be considerably larger than what it is rated at. Something like this box will ship better than any cylinder and something like this will fare even better.

go spin your lies to someone else. a cylinder is more sturdy than a box... simple physics, moron. thanks for confirming the frequency of tube damage.

Yes, but a cylinder also has the property of being able to roll with ease. When a package rolls, it inevitably finds itself lodged under other cylinders called tires. The crush weight of whatever may roll over your tube will be considerably larger than what it is rated at. Something like this box will ship better than any cylinder and something like this will fare even better.

I ordered a few sets of them in varying widths. It turns out the 15" deep ones are exactly the right size to fit in an Ikea office cabinet with the doors closed. That is a cheap, easy, and tidy way to create a huge amount of well organized space for cables, batteries, adaptors, rubber bands, wire ties, computer parts, etc etc.

Finally, you didn't ask about cables but I'm sure you have a bunch of test leads as well as common computer cables that are used occasionally. E-Z-hook is the solution: http://catalog.e-z-hook.com/viewitems/accessories/wire-test-lead-cable-wall-brackets?

If you are having a problem with noise in public places, it is a self inflicted problem. Here is a very inexpensive solution so that you don't have to be in torment when every single person around you doesn't bend to your will.

http://www.uline.com/BL_954/Classic-Ear-Plugs-NRR-29

You can buy the plastic coated metal ties by the spool in a variety of colors. http://www.uline.com/BL_3153/Plastic-Colored-Twist-Ties-Spools?desc=Plastic+Colored+Twist+Ties+-+Spools. Several Asian brand televisions used these to hold the degaussing coil in place on TV's.

Cable lacing is one of the more elegant looking and robust methods of cable management but it is also the most labor intensive and hardest to maintain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_lacing It's now relegated to devices requiring high reliability.

found some reclose-able anti-static bag http://www.uline.com/BL_57/No-Print-Static-Shielding-Bags-Reclosable

Reading the complaint, they have a good case. Netflix and Blockbuster don't have this problem because their items are getting special handling. They want equally good treatment.

The basic problem is that they want to ship DVDs through the first class mail system, not via parcel post. As a first class item, they can't put in enough stiffeners to protect the item and stay under the 1 oz rate, or even the 2 oz rate.

If you ship a DVD in a DVD case in a fibreboard DVD mailer, it won't be damaged unless someone steps on it or runs it over. But the mailer will cost about $0.30 in quantity, and mailing it will cost $1.34. They're trying to get the first class mail rate for "1 oz envelope containing a rigid object" of $0.62, or 2oz for $0.72. The extra dollar in shipping cost to get the product delivered safely would kill their profit margin.

It's a tough problem. Ceramic-package ICs were hermetically sealed, but plastic ones are not, and there's a long-term corrosion problem. Storage in shrink wrap, using dry air, heat-sealed plastic, and a "desiccant pack" inside to absorb any remaining moisture, will at least keep the corrosion problem down. That's easy to do. I'd suggest packing at least three of everything, so that people in the future can swap parts around if they have to. And include plenty of the consumables - blank disks, etc. I don't know if ink-jet ink would last, but laser toner probably would.

Older equipment is easier to restore. I'm currently restoring a Teletype Model 15, produced from 1930 through 1958. This unit was built during WWII. It hadn't been powered up in many years. I put on a modern power plug and cranked it up, and it started turning. Many parts were sluggish; the oil had congealed. At first, the main clutch wouldn't release. But after a few minutes of warmup, it was running again. I'm now cleaning it up and will do a proper lube job.

But a Teletype Model 15 has hundreds of oiling points, dozens of screwdriver adjustments, a cast-iron base, and weighs over 50 pounds. Nobody will put up with that in modern equipment to get a machine that can easily last a century.

It won't do squat. Get an ESD nickel bag from uline.
http://www.uline.com/BL_52/Static-Shielding-Bags-Reclosable

Then test to see if I'm correct. Failing that wrap it in aluminum foil.
http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_321.php

Stealing?
http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_313.asp?searchedkeywords=milk%20crate

Yeah, right. Next you'll be telling us she paid for all those music files she had on her computer. ;)

You can get them at Uline and come in quantities of 200 for $24.

For the less frequently used, replace the hard jewel cases with more pliable plastic ones that still have a spine and can either take the CD insert/back label or can be labeled: http://www.uline.com/AdvSearchResult.asp?view=ALL& SubGroup=5164&Source=20&BrowseGroup=87&Method=BROW SE&desc=Square+Plastic+CD+Cases

My company uses the cases and stores them in a large 4 drawer, 500 CD per drawer, media cabinet. I wish we had a jukebox.

> Lots of (gaffa? or duct tape) very handy.

I think you meant gaffer's tape.

I am privy to some leaked images of Lockheed's CEV prototype. The images are posted on this website: http://www.uline.com/Browse_Listing_409.asp
If someone asks, you didn't hear about this from me.

Or, buy plain old / regular CDR's, DVR's, etc, some adhesive labels and a stomper to apply them. Why do I need a special drive and special disks, again?

Or, buy plain old / regular CDR's, DVR's, etc, some adhesive labels and a stomper to apply them. Why do I need a special drive and special disks, again?

Not sure if this is entirely new information, but corn starch "shipping peanuts" have been around for a while as a bio-degradable alternative to styrofoam. If you sprinkle some salt & pepper on them they taste ok.