This is the only way to ship a cue safe!!!

hillscues

hillscues

American Craftsmanship
Silver Member
Yes thats PVC tubing thats how I will be shipping from now on , I ran out of the 1/4 '' cardboard tubing I use to use. I bought these from home depot for 6.50 ea 10' footers so you get 3 out of 1. I cut them at 32.5'' long and made ends out of pine. I will drill 2 holes for the small nails to go into the wood on the top end leave the nails up a little and the cap out a little , so they can pull the nails and get the cap out. I take a lot of time and pride building my cues and for some jackass to break it I won't stand for it. well I just shipped my first one you should have seen the look on the tellers face at the post office ,he said whats in hear I told him something worth a lot of money and I want it to get there safe , oh by the way it was only 9.00 dollars priority mail with delivery confirmation.
the writing on the pvc comes off with thinner.....
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hillscues said:
Yes thats PVC tubing thats how I will be shipping from now on , I ran out of the 1/4 '' cardboard tubing I use to use. I bought these from home depot for 6.50 ea 10' footers so you get 3 out of 1. I cut them at 32.5'' long and made ends out of pine. I will drill 2 holes for the small nails to go into the wood on the top end leave the nails up a little and the cap out a little , so they can pull the nails and get the cap out. I take a lot of time and pride building my cues and for some jackass to break it I won't stand for it. well I just shipped my first one you should have seen the look on the tellers face at the post office ,he said whats in hear I told him something worth a lot of money and I want it to get there safe , oh by the way it was only 9.00 dollars priority mail with delivery confirmation.
the writing on the pvc comes off with thinner.....
10newcues021.jpg
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I've been using that PVC pipe for some time now. I put the cue into a felt liner and then into the tube with a few peanuts and then tape the ends with duct tape, This is then put into a Priority box and shipped. I have shipped many cues over the years without a loss or damage so of late I've been getting paranoid as I feel my number is about up.

Dick
 
I'd consider plywood for the caps...they won't split like pine can.
Countersunk screws would be easier to remove as well.
 
Looks good, however be careful if shipping ups, They do charge if your package is not in a cardboard container.
 
I use three smaller pvc tubes, one for each piece, 1b,2s. Then put in a triangular Priority mail box.
 
IMHO there is NO 100% SAFE WAY to SHIP ANYTHING. SHIPPERS ARE NOT PERFECT, SHIPPER HAVE THIEFT FROM SHIPMENTS ALL THE TIME, DELIVER TRUCKS RUN OVER PACKAGES, ETC..

In many ways the Cuemaker is SC****D because in some cases if a shipment is lost or damaged, the Cuemaker will only get replacement cost of material, not the Total Price of the Cue. The Consumer is in a better position than the Artist aka Cuemaker!.

If you have something to ship that is NOT REPLACEABLE, the best thing is REGISTERED MAIL, as the Shipment is UNDER LOCK & KEY all along the shipping process, plus the shipment is SEAL with Tamper Proof TAPE.

I have seen what Federal Express Ground can do to a 3/4" Plywood Shipping Container, when one of their SEMI TRUCKS RAN over it. Turned the Plywood Box, and Content into SCRAP!

Things I would do when Shipping a Cue,

Photo of the Cue before Shipment

Proof of Value

Wrap the Cue in Baby Flannel

Put the Baby Flannel Cue in a PVC TUBE

Seal Both End of TUBE

Put Address Label on Tube ALSO!!!!

Put the PVC Tube in a USPS Shipping Triangle.

Send Priority, Insured Mail, with Deliver Confirmation, and or Signature RELEASE.

PRAY BELOW DON'T HAPPEN WITH YOU PACKAGE IN MAIL TRUCK!!!!


mail_truck_6_jd.jpg
 
Also something to think about if shipping UPS you MUST pay for signature confirmation not just insurance. I shipped a case the other day and was told that my $300 worth of insurance I paid for is no good without signature confirmation. The driver can leave it at the front door and that is considered delivered.
 
hillscues said:
Yes thats PVC tubing thats how I will be shipping from now on , I ran out of the 1/4 '' cardboard tubing I use to use. I bought these from home depot for 6.50 ea 10' footers so you get 3 out of 1. I cut them at 32.5'' long and made ends out of pine. I will drill 2 holes for the small nails to go into the wood on the top end leave the nails up a little and the cap out a little , so they can pull the nails and get the cap out. I take a lot of time and pride building my cues and for some jackass to break it I won't stand for it. well I just shipped my first one you should have seen the look on the tellers face at the post office ,he said whats in hear I told him something worth a lot of money and I want it to get there safe , oh by the way it was only 9.00 dollars priority mail with delivery confirmation.
the writing on the pvc comes off with thinner.....
10newcues021.jpg
[/IMG]
10newcues022.jpg
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10newcues023.jpg
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My only disagreement would be with handing it to the post office.
 
3 small pvc tubes

Craig Fales said:
I use three smaller pvc tubes, one for each piece, 1b,2s. Then put in a triangular Priority mail box.
Click to expand...

Hi,
where do you get those pvc tubes ? (small for shaft and butt)I like it. DUH, HOME DEPOT, sorry , I just realized.
thanks, Bill
 
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JerseyBill said:
Hi,
where do you get those pvc tubes ? (small for shaft and butt)I like it. DUH, HOME DEPOT, sorry , I just realized.
thanks, Bill
Click to expand...
hey bill , go to a plumbing supply house
ask for FOAM CORE pipe
it's pvc inside & outside liner with a styrofoam core
a lot lighter than regular schedule 40 pvc ,
but just as strong for this purpose
i bought a 10ft pc of 2" and 10ft of 1 1/2" the other day for $8.52*
a butt with some newspaper or bubble wrap fits the 2" easily
shaft wrapped same way fits the 1.50" easily
adds approx. 1.50 to 2 pounds max on your package,
but well worth the piece of mind

* with bit of a discount from 30 years of plumbing experience
 
CocoboloCowboy said:
IMHO there is NO 100% SAFE WAY to SHIP ANYTHING. SHIPPERS ARE NOT PERFECT, SHIPPER HAVE THIEFT FROM SHIPMENTS ALL THE TIME, DELIVER TRUCKS RUN OVER PACKAGES, ETC..

In many ways the Cuemaker is SC****D because in some cases if a shipment is lost or damaged, the Cuemaker will only get replacement cost of material, not the Total Price of the Cue. The Consumer is in a better position than the Artist aka Cuemaker!.

If you have something to ship that is NOT REPLACEABLE, the best thing is REGISTERED MAIL, as the Shipment is UNDER LOCK & KEY all along the shipping process, plus the shipment is SEAL with Tamper Proof TAPE.

I have seen what Federal Express Ground can do to a 3/4" Plywood Shipping Container, when one of their SEMI TRUCKS RAN over it. Turned the Plywood Box, and Content into SCRAP!

Things I would do when Shipping a Cue,

Photo of the Cue before Shipment

Proof of Value

Wrap the Cue in Baby Flannel

Put the Baby Flannel Cue in a PVC TUBE

Seal Both End of TUBE

Put Address Label on Tube ALSO!!!!

Put the PVC Tube in a USPS Shipping Triangle.

Send Priority, Insured Mail, with Deliver Confirmation, and or Signature RELEASE.

PRAY BELOW DON'T HAPPEN WITH YOU PACKAGE IN MAIL TRUCK!!!!


mail_truck_6_jd.jpg
Click to expand...




Thanks for brightening everyones day Cowboy!!!!!:wink:


Wow
 
I always ship in 4" thin wall pvc. I just use cardboard for end caps. Never had one damaged. Of course I don't ship as many as you, probably 10 or so a year.
 
Waldo's said:
Also something to think about if shipping UPS you MUST pay for signature confirmation not just insurance. I shipped a case the other day and was told that my $300 worth of insurance I paid for is no good without signature confirmation. The driver can leave it at the front door and that is considered delivered.
Click to expand...
If you ship online there is a box to check if you don't want them to have to sign for it. If you don't check that box they will pay even though they might try to get out of it. Round PVC with just a label on it is not the best idea as the cue can roll around alot. What I do is wrap the cue in bubble wrap. Then I put that inside the PVC pipe, tape the ends shut and put that inside a shipping box. That keeps it from rolling around and it also saves you the non-square or rectangle box charge with UPS. Signature confirmation is not insurance and if it gets lost you are out the cost of the cue. Postal insurance is cheap so always buy it. Signature confirmation is a waste of money if you pay for insurance, unless you just want proof without tracking.
 
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I ship in PVC also. You can buy plastic caps for the tube as well. I bought mine from Lowe's. With the caps, a good tape job on the end is all that is needed.

Kelly
 
I don't use PVC but my way is pretty fool proof. Cue sleeve wrapped in bubble wrap. Then taped in a tube then in a priority triangle. Tubes are 3$ and the post office. Triangles are free. It takes alot to break that cue.
 
Jr's Farm said:
I'd consider plywood for the caps...they won't split like pine can.
Countersunk screws would be easier to remove as well.
Click to expand...

I was wondering how the hell to get the nails out. Screws would be much better.
 
hillscues said:
I left them up about 1/16'' then I tape the end and mark it top open this end.
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Sorry if my post sounded critical. Truth is I'm impressed by the lengths you go to in order to help insure safe dellivery. Kudo's to you and anybody who ships a cue like this. Very impressive attempt to do things right.
 
hillscues said:
Yes thats PVC tubing thats how I will be shipping from now on , I ran out of the 1/4 '' cardboard tubing I use to use. I bought these from home depot for 6.50 ea 10' footers so you get 3 out of 1.
Click to expand...

Thanks for a great idea for capping the ends. I recently had need of a 4" shipping tube vs. my std. 3" and your solution was perfect. Only difference is I used screws instead of nails.
 

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