JackBull
Hunter
Cardboard boxes are so expensive. Need to ship musical instruments and the boxes are $40 and of course too big so i have to pay more for shipping. Anyone have a good source.
Source for Cardboard Boxes
- Thread starter JackBull
- Start date
Not exactly what you are looking for. But when we pack and move, the local liquor store is a good source of heavy duty cardboard cases. Sometimes they have leftover Christmas display boxes they might be happy to get rid of.
Check at your local musician supply store, they usually have boxes to throw away that they may very well just give you. As far a size, it's always better to overpack (and insure for full value!) any delicate music instruments, as they're absolutely 100% going to be mishandled during shipping.
A good source of BIG boxes for me has been behind the local mattress store. A good sharp knife and some tape and you can cobble together most any size box you need.
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mr surveyor
SP-101
I tend to "uncobble" the larger cardboard boxes for target backers 
jd
jd
That ^ too!I tend to "uncobble" the larger cardboard boxes for target backers
jd
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
I work in a car dealership service department and am always on the lookout for unique boxes. A box that is too big can be cut down to size to save money but a box that is too small it useless. Yeah, it's the land of scrap cardboard and wheel weights ...
Uline, I use Continental Carton. There is usually box company nearby if you look.
What size (s) ? I make oversize odd shape boxes a lot. Give me an idea of what you need and I can probably steer you to some free supplies.
What size (s) ? I make oversize odd shape boxes a lot. Give me an idea of what you need and I can probably steer you to some free supplies.
Do not buy the cardboard boxes sold by HomeDepot. What ever they are coated with ... even good packing tape will not stick to them. The only way to keep them from opening up is to completely wrap the tape around the entire box.
Blume not just HD. Many boxes are coated in some sort of chemical water repellent.
epags
Single-Sixer
And I found that you can go to appliance stores...they normally bring back those heavy refrigerator/stove/dishwasher boxes after they deliver and toss them into the trash. I have asked and they have allowed me to scrounge provided I put the scraps into the dumpsers.
I haven't done it but I bet the same would hold for plumbing stores that install water heaters.
EDIT:
I have bought boxes from moving companies.....they have the odd shaped ones that might work for you with just a little cut and tape.
The first Bass Guitar I shipped was in a box I bought from Fed Ex. I took the box home and cut it down to save on shipping. Now I remove the neck to ship in even shorter boxes. I also save boxes now.
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I burn approximately a pickup box full of broken down (flattened) cardboard boxes every two weeks. Not much help for someone in Montana. 
OP
JackBull
Hunter
I checked out ULine and yeah I'd have to buy 10 boxes. FYI UHaul sells guitar boxes at just over $10.
OP
JackBull
Hunter
I found I had a box that will work. Its an $8k mandolin so I want to make sure it well packed.
Yaworski
Hawkeye
For appliance stores, it is best to talk the delivery manager. Often boxes get flattened and put into a baler as soon as the trucks return.
Other than that, it depends on how big you need. Apple cartons can be had at the grocery store.
Other than that, it depends on how big you need. Apple cartons can be had at the grocery store.
Ok, now that I have a size. I think a flourescent tube box may work. I have used them many times. Free from Home Depot, Lowes. Usually a couple varieties to pick from. Find the strongest and beef it up as required. Lots of room for bubble wrap too.
Try your local bicycle and powersport shops. They have oversize boxes that work well to cut down to size. I also found that marking the bend line and then rolling the line with a screen roller (like a dull pizza cutter) makes the bends perfectly straight.
Hertervillian
Saluki
Our local recycling center is full up with cardboard boxes I’d ten minutes watching the dro off should yield something
USPS used to have free boxes, but I think my offspring ruined it when they decided the school Principal needed to move, and sent a few to the school. Luckily the school resource officer was able to talk the postal inspectors out of filing charges after a few truckfuls showed up.
USPS boxes are not that big and are intended for Priority Mail. They are also considered USPS property even when you use them.
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Sweet. I told y'all the "car" dealerships (not much different than powersports) have boxes and I told y'all to learn to cut too large boxes down. These instructions are more comprehensive than mine.
KIR
Sparks, NV
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2022
- Messages
- 2,771
A couple of years ago, at a local LGS, I bought a Winchester Sporting Rifle with an OAL of 34" (they vary up to 37"?) and while I keep them covered with a sock and in my safe whenever I get a new gun, I like to keep the container they came in. This Winchester did not have a carton. One day, I was in another LGS and noticed they were cutting up some shipping cartons for rifles and I asked them if I could have one. They agreed and I got long enough so my Winchester would fit inside of it. I cut it down to size, knowing someday my son will be moving everything and he can use the boxes.
