Use this page to help in preparing a radio, phonograph or television for shipment to be serviced. You may wish to Print this page and refer to it as you prepare your unit. Place
a Check mark next to each step as you complete it. 
Congratulations on your decision to ship your radio for
repair. The most critical stage in the repair process is the packaging and
shipping of your radio or phonograph.
Taking adequate time to properly and sufficiently pack a
vintage table radio before shipping, is well worth the
time, effort, and expense. It will also help prevent the
heartbreak that inevitably comes, when a one-of-a-kind set
has been inadvertently damaged during shipping. Cabinet damage is tragic enough,
but a broken dial glass is literally irreplaceable. When that happens, there’s
simply no turning back the clock. Remember...“It’s not just a radio, it’s
history you can use.”
Materials Needed:
- Boxes x 2 (see instructions below)
- Packing/Strapping Tape.
- Foam Peanuts.
- Bubble Wrap.
- Extra Cardboard.
To properly pack and ship a vintage
tube radio or phonograph:
 | Use a strong, over-sized corrugated carton; heavy
gauge, like a sturdy air conditioner or television box. |
| You’ll need at least 4" of space,
surrounding the top, bottom, and all
sides, after the set has been properly wrapped with at least 4" of
large ( ½" size) bubble wrap. It’s more effective, and often less
expensive than using the small bubble
wrap. |
| Do not encase in bubble wrap yet! There are other things to
do still. |
| DO NOT use a “Pak ’n Mail”- type service to
perform this task for you.
Many will use only generic, flimsy boxes, and basic/standard packing
methods, with very little regard for the end result. Certainly, there are
positive exceptions, but plan to do it, yourself; it’s not worth taking
the risk with your unique, valuable radio. |
| Place Small or loose parts in bags and label them. |
| Remove loose tubes from chassis and pack tubes wrapped in newspaper
or bubble wrap in a second carton. Be sure all remaining tubes in the radio
are secure and not loose. You may wish to hold them down with some tape - Do
Not put tape over any labels either on tubes or chassis. Do not use masking
tape. |
| Bundle the power cord and/or antenna wires using rubber
bands or twist ties, then place in a zip lock bags to keep from scratching
the cabinet or other parts. Gently place inside of cabinet if possible. |
| Older radios with 3 or more wires connected to the speaker, will require the speaker to be shipped as well.* see note |
| Carefully place enough bubble wrap to loosely fill any
large cavity inside the set. Do not try to pack so tightly that things will
get broken by either inserting or removing bubble wrap. Use common
sense. |
| Check all chassis mounting screws. Make sure they are there
(Not Missing) and tight. A loose chassis will most always damage your radio
during shipment. Shifting may occur and the dial glass or other delicate
parts might get broken. |
| Turn all tuning dials to the low end of the band. For
example, tune the AM band so the pointer is set to - 550kc) Unless dial
string is broken. |
| Wrap your equipment to keep packing materials from entering chassis. Important!
You may wish to use a large
garbage bag, shrink/stretch wrap, or even a soft cloth. Tape in place - but
do not put packing/strapping tape directly on the radio cabinet surface.
When removing, the finish could be pulled right off. |
| Fill the area in front of the dial glass
with just enough bubble wrap to make it flush with the front of the cabinet. |
| Cut a piece of cardboard large enough to
cover the entire front place in front of dial glass area for extra
protection! Tape in place. |
| Wrap the entire set in 4" of bubble wrap. Top, Bottom
and Sides. As you wrap the set consider marking the top, that way you avoid placing
the radio in the carton upside down; not a good thing for any radio or
phonograph. |
| Line the bottom of the carton with 3-4" of packing
peanuts. This will condense down to about 2-3" after radio is inserted
and settled. |
| Insert the radio with the top end up. While gently pushing
down, shake or vibrate radio to settle into place. |
| Fill sides and top with packing peanuts. |
| IMPORTANT! In an envelope, put your name, address and phone
numbers, including daytime and evening numbers.
Include any email correspondence and email address. Describe any problems
you have noted with the radio or phonograph and level
of service you most desire. Place envelope inside the box. |
| Seal the box with packing/strapping tape. Place 3 strips
down the middle seam and 1 strip down each of the side seams. |
| Mark the top as: TOP or This Side Up! |
| For the Double box method, use a second box 3" larger
than first box. Line bottom with 3-4" of packing peanuts and insert
first box. sturdy double wall carton. Again, gently push down and shake or
vibrate 1st box to settle into peanut bed. Fill sides and top. |
| Seal the box with packing/strapping tape. Place 3 strips
down the middle seam and 1 strip down each of the side seams. |
| Print and tape these 3 labels on the outside of the box.
(Click here) - Fragile,
This End Up!,
Handle With Care! |
| Insure your equipment for a minimum of $300.00 Keep
in mind, a radio that arrives damaged, will not be covered by shipping
insurance, if the carrier’s claim department determines that it was
inadequately packed. |
| If a radio or phonograph is purchase from
eBay, you should also require a confirmation from the seller, that these
instructions will be followed as part of the transaction. |
| Contact us before shipping!
Email: tvrprman@stny.rr.com
Phone: (607) 797-0066 EST |
| Ship to:
For Your Listening Pleasure
368 Clinton Street
Binghamton NY, 13905 |
