Big Blue tool v2 news, and packing photos

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Nov 2016, 10:14

Hi guys, and the several MVS women,

Big Blue is the loaner tool for removing the delta style links in the rear suspension in P80 Volvos. It supersedes an OEM tool that broke (replaced) twice while out on loaner missions, and was finally lost in the USPS mail system somewhere between Colorado and North Dakota (true story).

Big Blue v2

JDS60R has created a new hydraulic centerpiece to this system. If you feel like thanking someone for something today and don't have anyone in mind, he's a good choice in my humble opinion.

That new piece (Big Blue v2) is now out on its first loaner mission in Vermont.

Packing

I've gotten this tool back a few times... barely. Here are two photos of sending, and two photos of receiving (same round trip, not cherry picked).

It shows the beating the box takes. If you borrow this tool, you must pack it like it is the Hope Diamond.

Post by **scot850** » 22 Nov 2016, 10:30

We are fortunate to have wonderful resource supporters in the MVS community and JDS60R is one of those that goes over and above! So thanks to him and his ingenuity on our behalf.

Man is that UPS box truly dinged up. Reminds me of the UPS handled Volvo radiator shipped by Tasca to me in western Canada. Radiator arrives I a 'U' shape. The had actually managed to bend the aluminum structure of the radiator and then had the nerve to try to say it wasn't their fault!! God bless Tasca who packed a replacement more securely and shipped it overnight at their cost.

Neil.

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Nov 2016, 10:39

Neil, that box looks good compared to some I've gotten, believe it or not.

I've gotten it with USPS company tape on it, covering holes as big as your fist. That means the USPS employees actually taped it up and perhaps put pieces back in.

I upped my tape game for this one using duct tape on the shortest side for structural cohesiveness. Then probably 20 wraps of packing tape on the other two axes, covering pretty much the entire cardboard surface.

With all my packing warnings, I don't want to be The One Who Messes Up.

The tool and its pieces way around 25lbs, far more than these Flat Rate Medium boxes are rated. Plus BB and its assorted army of pieces have all kinds of odd, obtuse angles that are perfect for puncturing cardboard. I pack with plenty of stuffing - cotton/plastic/foam - to mitigate puncturing.

Post by **abscate** » 22 Nov 2016, 21:42

Matt - sometime get it my way and my shipping and make a custom foam block to fit a medium box - problem solved.

Ship it out with a new box, too.

Post by **Matty Moo** » 23 Nov 2016, 09:10

I ship heavy things all the time in those flat rate boxes. They're fine if you package stuff where it's tight, leave no voids and won't move at all.

Post by **matthew1** » 23 Nov 2016, 10:17

It has a new box every time, even when it comes back.

That's the thing, getting all the pieces not to move. Steve I'll make a foam insert, that's a great idea. Thanks guys.

splattj · Post by **splattj** » 23 Nov 2016, 12:21

Cut one of those USPS boxes so that it's a clam-shell. Get a couple cans of expanding foam and some plastic sheet. Tape plastic sheet to line the top and bottom half of the box. Spray foam one half, lay more plastic sheet over the foam it, place parts on plastic sheet. Spray foam second half, put plastic sheet over parts, close clam-shell. Perfect fit foam for the flat rate box.