Moving across country

[Freelander]

Looking for any experience using a moving company to transport my Festool tools and Systainers.  I have about 30 Systainers, Dust System, Kapex, and MFT x 2.  Is the best experience to just let the moving company pack it all up directly into the trailer or would it be better to prepack.  If prepack any recommendations? 

Also have the 4'x8' peg board with lots of hand tools and a double stacking multi drawer tool chest (bottom half is wheeled) with socket sets etc.  Any moving hints or experience on getting my workshop safely to a new location would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[DB10]

Hi, I have moved across a few continents in my time so have had to go through the long haul process a few times.
  In my experience packing all my own tools is a must. It's important for a couple of reasons, as you are going through the packing process you can keep an itinerary of what tools are packed in what boxes, this is important for small hand tools, just match the box number with the itinerary, all my moves have involved shipping containers and it can be three months before I have a new workshop in place, trying to remember what tools are packed in what box is a nightmare, a removal company will just pack a box until it full.
Secondly, take photos of packed tools, take photos of everything packed up, I know form experience that without photographic evidence if something goes wrong during the transportation then insurance companies will go out of their way to make it as difficult as possible for you to make a claim.
Over the years I've been fortunate enough to have managed to pick up a couple of large aluminium storage boxes, similar to what the military use, these are perfect for transporting a Kapex or other large tools, they are not cheap to buy so you might be able to pick something up in plastic that would do the job, failing that plenty of bubble wrap. All my systainers have worked well in transportation with their tools inside although it doesn't do any harm to add extra packing, old T shirts come in handy for this.
Good luck with the move.

 

[somewhereinla]

I just moved from Pasadena CA to Florida. First of all it is important to know that moving companies usually don't "care" about your stuff. Their profit margin is rather thin, they make money by filling every inches of their truck. If something break insurance takes care of it and moving insurance are notoriously bad, even if you get the most expensive one... I have moved across the country several times and something always broke or disappeared, and that's only using "reliable" best rated company. So for the last move, I decided to move everything with a mover except for my studio. I rented a uhaul trailer and towed it across the country. All my tools, 3D printer, CNC, etc... Too much combine value to take a chance with the movers... I did sold my table saw, planner, band saw and jointer prior my move. All were in very good condition and I sold them all very well not to say that this would have been a logistic nightmare and a big added expense. Good luck.

 

[Brent Taylor]

Make sure of your insurance coverage, I lossed out on a trip when I was robber of my tools at a motel, because of the tools weren't covered on my auto and because they weren't at my shop or worksite, they weren't covered there either. Same thing happened to my shop. All in the same trip, Hell of a week. So get good info from the Company you deal with, not the people your buying it from.

 

[Freelander]

thank you for your thoughts and replies.  Obviously insurance and evidence of items is very prudent component will check into that right away.

DB10 your tips were great.  Will look into some type of container for big items.  From your post I am assuming the Systainers are put on truck as is.  Do you try to keep two or three connected for the movers or just leave them all separate as singles for the movers to deal with.

 

[mike1967]

Key thing not to do: label any boxes with the word "Tools."  And, if someone packs your tools, make sure the packers do not write "Tools" or "Workshop" or anything like that on the boxes.  If you want to label your boxes, use something like "Bedroom 4."  Your boxes may change hands a few times depending on the moving company and how the company subcontracts, and I fully agree with the suggestion to take pictures of your tools before boxing them up.

 

[sancho57]

Im gonna be moving internationally, My advice is to inventory your tools, include p/n s/n and photo of the condition of the tools.

Moving company is responsible for them once you turn over possession  Are they doing the packing? If so ten make sure you get a LEGIABLE copy of the inventory list make sure they match up. same with house hold items to.

 

[Peter_C]

Why not crate everything up, or rent a POD? That way no one has easy access to your tools.

 

[DB10]

thank you for your thoughts and replies.  Obviously insurance and evidence of items is very prudent component will check into that right away.

DB10 your tips were great.  Will look into some type of container for big items.  From your post I am assuming the Systainers are put on truck as is.  Do you try to keep two or three connected for the movers or just leave them all separate as singles for the movers to deal with.

Hi, I have always stacked my systainers in groups of about 600mm high, roughly 6 sys1's tall, at that height they can be carried easily. I find that once the systainers are all T locked together they aren't going anywhere but I will then tie a flat strap around them that goes under the top handle, this is so they can't be opened easily. I don't use packing tape on the systainers as it can be a pain to remove if left for any period of time.

 

[DTSaskatoon]

A detailed inventory with photos, models and serial numbers is a must!  I'd suggest doing a SENT and RECEIVED column as well so you don't forget anything.  Good luck!

 

[Sparktrician]

Why not crate everything up, or rent a POD? That way no one has easy access to your tools.

Concur!  I've used PODs with great success.  Only you know what's inside. 

 

[richk]

I moved my shop cross-country last year, used a POD. I just left the tools in the systainers as usual, stacked them up, and snugly secured them to the walls of the POD. Lots of boxes too, all securely wedged in and restrained. 3000 miles later and several transfers to different trucks, not a bit of movement or damage. If there was furniture etc not sure it would work as well, but the shop it was perfect.