Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 16

Thread: Moving shop across the country

  1. #1

    Moving shop across the country

    Hello all,
    One of my first posts here. Ive been lurking for a while and have chimed in on a thread once or twice recently. Fairly new to woodworking especially in any serious sense. As a farmer I have to be a jack of all trades and working with wood is definitely one of them. I also really enjoy the focus and sometimes tedious work after a week of bruting around in the fields, not to mention needing something to do during the slow winters.
    I find myself having acquired a good pile of tools and shop supplies, including a couple bigger ones, and now facing moving house 40 hours across the country. My question is, does anyone have any suggestions about moving an entire woodshop across the country. The big items I have are a contractor table saw and a 10" compound miter saw. Other than that it's just the average tool box: squares, tapes, screwdrivers and bit sets, chisels, planes, sockets ect. Tips, tricks for packing, ideas?, I could really use some inspiration for getting this stuff packed up by the 24th. Thanks!
    Last edited by Jeff Robinson; 02-13-2018 at 7:21 PM. Reason: Grammar

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,675
    You shouldn't have much issue moving what you describe you have. For the table saw, just remove any table extensions, etc., and pack them separately. Same with the "fence fence" so it doesn't get knocked around. Cover with a moving blanket and let your movers handle it. For the small stuff, box it up, using binding wrap to insure containers, etc., can't come open (like saran wrap, but for moving). My suggestion is that rather than writing specific descriptions on the actual boxes, for security, only label the destination room/space and then code/number the box. Keep a separate list of what's actually in each box. Nothing draws, um...temptation...than a box labeled "tools". Oh, and be sure you properly insure all of your personal contents for replacement cost, etc. The "standard" moving insurance is only by weight and that severely undervalues even normal household items, let alone more valuable things like tools.

    Of course, you also have the option of selling the table saw before the move and buying a new one at the other end...
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Modesto, CA, USA
    Posts
    9,876
    Where are you moving too? depending it might be money ahead to sell the saw and buy a better cheaper one in you new location. Consider buying a cargo container or box truck and selling it after the move.
    Bill D

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Becker View Post
    Of course, you also have the option of selling the table saw before the move and buying a new one at the other end...
    Not a bad idea actually. Although I would be worried that I might spend alot more on the move than I'm thinking and not be able to afford another one right away. We are moving to an old house built in the late 1700's with a barn thats a bit younger and looks like a fun restore job. Also need to get started on multiple out-buildings pretty much immediately so I might actually need it like within the first week after the move. Did I mention that anything I need will be $25 and an hour and a half ferry ride away so Craigslist shopping for table saws will be more difficult than I'm used to I think.

    Also, I have quite a few 10" and 7.25" carbide blades. I was thinking I would pack them in taped up Manila folders with a layer of corrugated cardboard in between each them. And then maybe in a some sort of flattish box like what amazon sends smallish things in sometimes (18"x15"x3"? Roughly) Any other ideas about that that might work better? I have some of the original plastic packaging that some of them came in but not nearly for all of them.
    Last edited by Jeff Robinson; 02-13-2018 at 8:04 PM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Modesto, CA, USA
    Posts
    9,876
    When my brother moved he ordered a lot of free flat rate boxes form the post office. delivered to his door. He packed them up and packed them in his truck to his new house. Of course the post office frowns on misuse of their boxes.
    Bill D

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Modesto, CA, USA
    Posts
    9,876
    A table saw in Alaska or Hawaii is going to worth a lot more then any where else. The supply of ones to buy will also be reduced so I would keep it if that is where you are going. On the mainland a sears saw is not worth much and a true cabinet saw will be a big step up in quality.
    Bill D.
    Modesto, CA USA

    PS: if you are in Canada or Australasia I do not know pricing ranges there.
    Last edited by Bill Dufour; 02-13-2018 at 11:23 PM.

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Dufour View Post
    A table saw in Alaska or Hawaii is going to worth a lot more then any where else. The supply of ones to buy will also be reduced so I would keep it if that is where you are going. On the mainland a sears saw is not worth much and a true cabinet saw will be a big step up in quality.
    Bill D.
    Modesto, CA USA

    PS: if you are in Canada or Australasia I do not know pricing ranges there.
    It's Maine actually. Not far from Portland, but it's on an island that's an hour+ ferry ride to get to anywhere thats worth buying anything.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,675
    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Robinson View Post
    Not a bad idea actually. Although I would be worried that I might spend alot more on the move than I'm thinking and not be able to afford another one right away. We are moving to an old house built in the late 1700's with a barn thats a bit younger and looks like a fun restore job. Also need to get started on multiple out-buildings pretty much immediately so I might actually need it like within the first week after the move. Did I mention that anything I need will be $25 and an hour and a half ferry ride away so Craigslist shopping for table saws will be more difficult than I'm used to I think.

    Also, I have quite a few 10" and 7.25" carbide blades. I was thinking I would pack them in taped up Manila folders with a layer of corrugated cardboard in between each them. And then maybe in a some sort of flattish box like what amazon sends smallish things in sometimes (18"x15"x3"? Roughly) Any other ideas about that that might work better? I have some of the original plastic packaging that some of them came in but not nearly for all of them.

    I'd personally keep the saw and move it...you're going to need it for sure. But you'll also want to consider some new ideas/tools for the kind of work you'll be doing to setup your new estate. I say that from experience as part of our home dates to the 1750s, too. I assure you that my track saw and other "system" components made working inside this house a pleasure and a lot cleaner one, at that.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Jackson, GA
    Posts
    23
    Jeff, I just moved last week from Chicago area to Atlanta area. I moved a three car garage full of tools (5hp table saw, 14in band saw, 8" jointer, 15" planer, 18/36 drum sander, full sized drill press, router table, etc...). I used a standard moving company (United), and they did a very good job with the tools. The harder part will be getting everything organized and setup in my new location. I plan to start a thread talking about my new shop.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Pueblo, CO
    Posts
    328
    I've moved several times. I usually build crates and cabinets for the small tools and screw them shut before the movers arrive. Cutting edges get wrapped in rags or newspaper while packing. Cabinets get french cleats to allow easy install at new location.

    I let the movers pack my tools once. They did fine except that their inventory was Garage, contents tools. Not much help when you need a tool the first day or two at the new location. I had purchased a house that my wife didn't get to see until after we owned it. The first night in after the movers left she decided that the kitchen peninsula had to go and go NOW. While I had anticipated a kitchen remodel, I didn't expect to start the first day in the house. I spent over an hour looking through the boxes labeled garage, contents-tools until I found my jigsaw to cut the offending peninsula out.

    That was two houses ago, the crappy B&D jigsaw is long gone, but I still have the wife.

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Becker View Post
    I'd personally keep the saw and move it...you're going to need it for sure. But you'll also want to consider some new ideas/tools for the kind of work you'll be doing to setup your new estate. I say that from experience as part of our home dates to the 1750s, too. I assure you that my track saw and other "system" components made working inside this house a pleasure and a lot cleaner one, at that.
    Thanks Jim, I think that's what I'll do. I am looking forward to having an excuse to spend a bit of money on tools in the next year or so. A nice cabinet table saw is high up on my list of favorites, but technically low in priority. I think my little craftsman contractor will be handy to get started with until I can find a worthy long term one - hopefully by next winter after the growing season is over.
    Do you have any other specific tools or machines in mind that made your life easier during your work on your house?

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Steven Hosler View Post
    Jeff, I just moved last week from Chicago area to Atlanta area. I moved a three car garage full of tools (5hp table saw, 14in band saw, 8" jointer, 15" planer, 18/36 drum sander, full sized drill press, router table, etc...). I used a standard moving company (United), and they did a very good job with the tools. The harder part will be getting everything organized and setup in my new location. I plan to start a thread talking about my new shop.
    Unfortunately, I am the moving company. We are very rurally located in southwest Colorado and moving to an even harder to get to place in Maine so movers ended up being a little out of the price range. Loading the biggest uhaul we can get with the help of family and friends on both sides of the move. There are some definite cons to doing to move by ourselves, but I do like not having to worry about a bunch of strangers moving all my things around without the care that I can put into it myself.
    I'll be looking out for your new shop thread. Going to be setting one up in the old barn for temporary and hopefully building a new one soon. I'll be interested to see how you go about it.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,675
    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Robinson View Post
    Do you have any other specific tools or machines in mind that made your life easier during your work on your house?
    I kinda embraced the Festool system years ago...I just didn't mention the name in my previous post. It allowed me to work inside with little dust in a house we were living in to do major renovations in some rooms.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Northern UT
    Posts
    762
    You might consider using ABF's Upack option. They drop a 28' trailer at your door for you to load. They will then pick it up and drop it at the new location for you. After you unload it, they haul it away. I did that on a move from Southern UT to Denver. A year later my company moved me back to Salt Lake using United. My cost for the move was less than $6000 whereas the United move was about $35000.
    I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love.... It seems to me that Montana is a great splash of grandeur....the mountains are the kind I would create if mountains were ever put on my agenda. Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans. Montana has a spell on me. It is grandeur and warmth. Of all the states it is my favorite and my love.

    John Steinbeck


  15. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff Robinson View Post
    It's Maine actually. Not far from Portland, but it's on an island that's an hour+ ferry ride to get to anywhere thats worth buying anything.
    Welcome to Maine!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •