Mailing wood

[Den Socling]

I want to mail a couple pieces of Bloodwood to a chair maker in Florida. The biggest is 8/4 9" x 62". It weighs 43 pounds. Two others are similar but a little smaller. If you don't know about Bloodwood, it is hard as rock and totally indestructible. Question: Do they have to be wrapped or can I just slap on a shipping label? I would just like to ship it as 3 "packages". They aren't going to believe it when I insure 3 pieces of wood for $450.  :D

[beenthere]

Shipping company would be good place to ask. I was under the impression UPS would not take things that were not wrapped. But could be wrong on that.

If the wood gets "lost", can you replace the wood for $450 ?

[Den Socling]

BT I have a ton of Bloodwood. A company sent me thousands of bf a few years ago. It wouldn't all fit in my vac kiln so some was dried after they made their pick up. I wrapped one piece in cardboard but it seemed like a ridiculous waste of time. This is going to Parker Converse who made the Amboyna chair that I wrote about a few years ago. He sold that chair for $25,000!

[Magicman]

I have shipped and received lumber through UPS that was taped together.

[Den Socling]

That's what I though MM. A single heavy piece with a secure label should go.

[isawlogs]

Some shipping compagnies prefere things wrapped up... even if its only plastic wrap, it takes the responsiblility of damaging the product away from them  ;)

[Den Socling]

I'll put stretchwrap on them. That's easy. Cardboard and shipping tape is a pain.

[Magicman]

Sadly I did not take a picture before I cut the tape off,


 
but these three pieces of lumber were taped together sent to me by UPS.  Stretchwrap sounds like a very doable option.

[isawlogs]

  Tha'll work Den, easy and fast!!    :D

[Den Socling]

Thank you guys. I knew there would be answers here!

[Kcwoodbutcher]

I've shipped a few smaller slabs to Utah via UPS. Just taped (very securely) a label on it and they picked it up. They were just under the 70 lb limit.

[WDH]

When I ship wood naked, UPS charges me extra because the wood is not in a package.  If I remember right, it is about a $6 to $8 additional freight charge to ship wood naked. 

[Kbeitz]

I was told the extra charge for bare wood or anything in wood boxes is to cover splinters by the UPS workers.

[Hackermatack]

I have shipped a few packages FedX . I just cut cardboard to fit and Stretch wrap the  whole thing. I don't imagine that with such valuable wood a few extra dollars in shipping makes much difference but you said it was 62" and I have found anything over 60" takes a pretty big jump in price when shipped FedX.

[Peter Drouin]

I would wrap it.
could be all done by now with all the talk about it here. :D :D :D ;D

[terrifictimbersllc]

FEDEX and UPS limits are 150 pounds.  Watch out for a $50 addition to the price as the dimensions increase past an "oversize limit" which for packages 51-150 pounds is 130 inches in (Length + Girth).   https://www.fedex.com/us/developer/WebHelp/fsms/1401/dvg/DVG-WebHelp/5_4_1_Package_Size_and_Weight_Rules_for_FedEx_Ground_and_FedEx_Home_Delivery_U_S.htm

Doubt there would be any concern for being unwrapped, rather if there is  a "nonstandard packaging" type charge it will be because of the shape of the bundle not being rectangular or box-like whatever the geometric name for that is.

[Den Socling]

They went out via USPS this morning with just stretch wrap. Even a piece 62" long weighing 47 lbs. No problem except the woman at the counter had to get a guy from the back to lift them off her scale. $190 with insurance and with 3 to 5 day delivery.

[isawlogs]

 I love stretch wrap!!  While atthe office did yu ask about sending out bare wood ???

[Den Socling]

No. When someone mentioned being charged for splinters, I dropped the bare wood idea.  :D