Shipping Tools

[Zen]

Hi Guys , This is guitar related in a way so I thought I would ask for some advise here. My sister in law who lives in New York kindly decided to help me out with some tools or equipment if I promised to build her a nice parlor guitar and I opted for something I badly need for a long time and thats a new Jet 10-20 plus drum sander. They are hard to come by in Europe so I thought she will probably get it at half the cost in usa and ship it over. What I did not bargain for was the weight of the item--110 lbs
She contacted me today and the shipping companies are charging anything from 300 to 900 bucks to ship it here to Ireland.
Have any of you had any experience with shipping a heavy item say from state to state or further afield and who would you use that will not charge this kind of money.
Previously I had a mold sent to me from california that weighted 60 lbs and that cost 90 dollars to ship so I assumed this might be double but not what they are quoting her.
Any advise greatly appreciated
Rusty

[Dave Sayers]

You had better work out the customs import duty as well. Jet 10 20 drum sanders can be bought from Axminster tools in the UK?

Rusty, it looks like you're getting slammed no matter which way you turn.
Not only the weight, but the dimensions of the package are a consideration in shipping costs.

Have you looked into making a drum type sander? There are many resources on Youtube, and Google will provide many others.
There's a Saf T Planer knockoff on eBay that would work, provided you have a drill press.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-DRILL-PRESS ... 19d73f9f77

The router method that many use to flatten a workbench would work also.
Perhaps getting familiar with using a handplane, and how to sharpen might be a good solution.

Is there a local or even semi local cabinet making shop in your area? Perhaps a visit to one would hook you up
with a craftsman who has a drum sander and would be willing to do the thicknessing for a reasonable cost.

Many ways to skin a cat. (Apologies to John Hall.)

-tommy

[tippie53]

what shipping method ? Often commercial shippers can do the job resonable to UPS or USPS.