How to Pack Expensive Antique Scientific Instruments for Shipping

1) Take everything apart that can reasonably be taken apart and wrap each of the individual pieces separately in bubble packing

2) Put the individually wrapped pieces and/or fragile items in one or more interior boxes to pack in a larger outer box

3) Wrap the heavy parts (e.g., microscope base) individually with lots of bubble packing and put each in a separate interior box filled with styrafoam peanuts - do not try to pack the heavy parts back into the original instrument case as they will shift during shipping and damage the case or the instrument or both - light weight individually wrapped pieces can be packed in the original instrument case and the case then wrapped in bubble packing to protect its finish.

4) Do not use tape of any kind on any part of an instrument or its case - tape will damage finish

5) Glass fronted cases will need to be protected with a layer of bubble packing over the glass, a layer of cardboard, and several more layers of bubble packing

6) Interior boxes and the instrument case should be packed in a heavy outer box (double wall if possible), with at least 2 inches of styrafoam peanut fill between the interior boxes and the outer box sides if possible - before sealing the outer box, shake it gently - if anything rattles it is not properly packed

7) Use fiberglass reinforced tape to seal the outer box - wrap tape around the box in several places to keep the box from being damaged or coming open - the heavier the box, the more tape wraps are needed

8) When in doubt, overpack some more - it is a real tragedy when a fine antique scientific instrument is damaged in shipping if a little more care in the packing process would have ensured its safe arrival