DIY Instapack foam?

[anotherfreak]

I am playing an out-of state wedding, I need to get my guitar there and back. I have to ship it

Has anyone here ever tried to make a foam packaging stuffer with plastic bags and Good Stuff? Is there a Chemical thing going on that would make this unwise. I am really frustrated with the whole thing, and I have to ship out by Monday morning. 

My idea is to take some heavy trash bags and spray Good Stuff type foam into the bags for a packing material.

Any thoughts? Anybody ever tried this?

[Bloozguy]

Nearly all of the expanding foam compounds (Dow Great Stuff included) have an exothermic reaction when curing, meaning they release quite a great deal of heat.

If you decide to use it, you should probably wrap the guitar with a thick towel so the bag containing the foam does not come into contact with the finish or any plastic parts on the guitar.

I have used foam in place packaging when I have shipped heavy combo amps and the curing foam will blister your skin and it softens the adhesive holding the tolex on the cabinet.

[anotherfreak]

That makes sense, I was worried about the outgassing as it set up.

 

Thanks

[murkat]

Your over thinking, over packing. If you are truly worried about it, purchase an TSA approved case, like Hammerhead uses.

Most cases, it is a coin toss arriving in one piece or in several.

[veatch]

What kind of case do you have?  If you have a hardshell case, I would double-box and call it good. 

I can send some detailed pics if you want. I've gotten pretty dern good at shipping guitars...  

[cynic]

I'm pretty sure all airlines are accepting guitars as carry-on to be stored in overhead bins.  Unless it's too small a plane for bins, might that be easier?

Link

[anotherfreak]

I have a copy of the act, and what they have printed in their article is not correct. In the actual text it gives the airline the power to accommodate IF they can, and at their discretion. I have had airlines let me walk on, and I've had them look at me like I just pulled their teeth out. It's totally out of your control and I have had them say I didn't have to get on the plane if I didn't want to. Log all the complaints after the fact, but if the counter person says no, you are screwed. I have been early to my gate and been told no, only to hang around long enough to have a different counter person say yes FOR THE SAME FLIGHT.

also, I am flying with my wife and kids. With cars seats and cary on bags. I just don't want to push them too far. I thought by shipping my guitar it would Save stress and headaches 

So:

50/50 chance it goes in the cabin

50/50 chance it gets broken if it goes in the hold

UPS is looking like a better average

[Thundersteel]

14 hours ago, anotherfreak said:

UPS is looking like a better average

I've had good luck with the US Mail. Also, a lot of people don't know that Greyhound ships packages as well. If there is a bus terminal nearby, that might be an option.

[cynic]

21 minutes ago, Thundersteel said:

I've had good luck with the US Mail. Also, a lot of people don't know that Greyhound ships packages as well. If there is a bus terminal nearby, that might be an option.

Back in '85, my folks used Greyhound to ship my guitar and amp to me after I'd joined the Navy.  MS to CA without an ounce of cardboard or packing of any kind, and both arrived in perfect condition.

With an improved understanding of climatic effects and having driven across I-10 in the Summer, and knowing the cargo holds are opened at every stop along the way, I probably wouldn't do it again.

[Hbom]

On ‎6‎/‎25‎/‎2016 at 10:31 AM, anotherfreak said:

I am playing an out-of state wedding, I need to get my guitar there and back. I have to ship it

 

17 hours ago, anotherfreak said:

also, I am flying with my wife and kids. With cars seats and cary on bags. I just don't want to push them too far. I thought by shipping my guitar it would Save stress and headaches 

So:

50/50 chance it goes in the cabin

50/50 chance it gets broken if it goes in the hold

UPS is looking like a better average

Seems like you are going through a lot crap for a 3 hour gig.

Have you considered contacting a music shop local to the wedding and renting a nice guitar for the day?

[cynic]

^^ Great idea.  Even better...might there be an HFC member local that could deliver a selection of loaners?

[anotherfreak]

Well, I have a pretty solid policy about "not talking about when I'm outa town on the internet" 

but I got a solid box, and I am gonna be making some packing inserts and they will have plenty of time to do any gassing out before I have to pack it up. The wedding is in Sandy, OR. and I might just be turning this into a family vacation as well. so, I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything will fall into place for a fun trip!