Instructions on Methods to Pack & Ship a Barrister's Bookcase
A barrister's bookcase is a stand-alone shelving unit. It features three to four shelves, each of which has a framed glass door that swings up from the bottom and slides into the case at the top of the shelf. These swinging glass doors make barristers bookcases a special challenge to ship; the glass must be kept from breaking and the doors must be kept from moving, all without marring the rich cherry or oak finishes that most of these bookcases feature. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Blue painters tape
- Wood crate, slightly larger than the bookcase
- Screws to assemble crate
- Screwdriver
- Cardboard corners cut from boxes
- Moving blanket
- Foam packing peanuts
- Wood pallet
- Steel securing straps
- Hand tool for fastening straps
- Permanent marker
- Assistant
Instructions
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1
Lock any lockable doors in the bookcase. Secure all doors by running two criss-cross lengths of blue painters masking tape across each one.
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2
Place the bottom piece of the crate on the wood pallet. Lift the bookcase onto the bottom piece of the crate. Cover all four corners with flaps cut from cardboard boxes. Drape a packing blanket over the top of the bookcase.
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3
Assemble the four sides of the crate around the bookcase, screwing each side to the side next to it, placing screws every six inches.
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4
Fill any air spaces in the crate with packing peanuts. Make sure the peanuts are firmly but not tightly compressed into the space.
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5
Screw the top onto the lid, placing one screw in each corner and one screw in the center of each side.
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6
Clearly mark the up direction on all four sides of the crate using a permanent marker. Attach any shipping documentation to the crate as directed by your shipper.
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7
Run two steel straps in each direction over the crate and under the top side of the pallet. Tighten them securely and fasten them with the hand tool. Make sure the crate cannot tip on the pallet.
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8
Notify your freight shipper to pick up the bookcase.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to pack your bookcase in an area where shippers can easily get to it, such as outdoors or in your garage.
Most freight shippers who handle furniture have their own packing guidelines; follow them carefully.
If all this seems like too much work, contact a "white glove" shipper. Just like movers, these shippers will do the packing work for you.
If you're nervous about the glass doors, you also have the option of removing them and shipping them separately.
Moving a heavy yet fragile piece of furniture object creates a risk of injury for yourself and damage to the furniture. Get help to move and pack it.
Be certain the bookcase is absolutely empty before wrapping tape on the doors. Even small objects can break the glass from inside during the course of the move.
Do not use regular masking tape, packing tape or duct tape to secure the doors; these will leave residue that will be difficult to remove from the glass and surrounding wood.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Nick White/Digital Vision/Getty Images
