How to Ship a Singer Treadle Machine
The Singer Sewing Company was established in the mid-1800s and is one of the leading sewing and embroidery machine manufacturers in the United States. The Treadle Machine was one of the original models built by Singer and still exists today as a collector item. This model is made out of heavy steel components mounted on a wooden table and is equipped with a steel base and pedal. Due to the unusual and heavy design of the machine, you will need to disassemble before shipping.
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Things You'll Need
- Eight boxes (four doubled-up boxes)
- 16 pieces of 2-by-2 wood
- Newspaper
- Tape
- Screwdrivers
- Wrench
- Lubricant
- Packing List (optional)
- Commercial invoice (optional)
Instructions
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Sketch a design of the machine and take photos with a digital camera. Include the photos and sketch with the shipment so the receiving party can refer to it when reassembling. Separate the single treadle machine into its basic parts: the machine head, the table and the base. Remove the head from the wooden table by unscrewing the screws with a screwdriver. Remove any parts that could come loose (such as the needles and bobbin) by unscrewing them and place them in a plastic bag. Unscrew the legs and the treadle (foot pedal) from the wooden table. Use penetrating oil to lubricate any stubborn nuts or bolts. Slide the drawers out of the cabinets located under the table and set aside.
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2
Prepare four boxes to ship the components. Double-box each box by placing one box inside another. This will strengthen the walls of the box and prevent damage to the machine parts. Create a frame inside each box by nailing together four 2-by-2 pieces of wood. Place a frame inside the bottom of each of the four boxes.
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3
Double wrap the sewing machine head, legs, foot pedal, wooden table, and drawers in bubble plastic wrap and secure with tape. Place wadded newspaper inside each of the four boxes to cushion the parts. Place the head and bag with the loose parts inside the first box, add more wadded newspaper and tape shut. Place the legs and foot petal in the second box, add wadded newspaper and tape shut. Place the wooden table in the third box, add wadded newspaper and close. Place the drawers in the fourth box, cushion with additional wadded newspaper and close and secure with tape.
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Weigh and measure each box and write the information down on a piece of paper. Print out labels with the name, address and phone number of the both the shipper and the receiving party. Attach the labels to each of the boxes being shipped. Add a "This Side Up" label and attach to each of the four boxes.
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Find a shipping company. Commonly used companies are UPS, Fedex, DHL and USPS. Contact each company individually and request a rate quote for your shipment. You will need to give the package information that you wrote down previously. Compare prices, shipping and insurance options. Notify the shipping company that your treadle machine is extremely fragile. All shipping companies offer insurance and it is highly recommended you select an insurance option that covers the entire value of your shipment. Choose the company that offers the best price and that meets your delivery requirements.
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Find the closest location of your shipping company and drop off your boxes to be shipped. Pay for your shipment and obtain your tracking number to follow your shipment. For international shipments, you will need to provide a packing list and a commercial invoice. A packing list states the items in each package while the commercial invoice shows the value of the items, the commodity classification number and the terms of payment between the seller and buyer. Classify your sewing machine (for international shipments only) by going online to the U.S. Census Bureau and using the Schedule B code on your commercial invoice. Fill out and sign the commercial invoice and keep a copy for your own records.
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Tips & Warnings
You may use pillows or upholstery foam in place of newspaper when packing the boxes.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit treadle sewing machine image by DSL from Fotolia.com
