Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: amertrac on November 21, 2013, 05:10:09 PM

Title: weight limit usps
Post by: amertrac on November 21, 2013, 05:10:09 PM
Does anyone know the weight limit on padded envelope 9in x 12in bob w.
Title: Re: weight limit usps
Post by: Lostmind on November 21, 2013, 06:33:22 PM
Says 70 pounds. good luck with that!
https://www.usps.com/business/prices.htm
Title: Re: weight limit usps
Post by: rusty on November 21, 2013, 06:47:59 PM
I have this sudden urge to see how many sheets of lead flashing will fit into a padded envelope...
Title: Re: weight limit usps
Post by: RedVise on November 21, 2013, 06:54:12 PM
Bob, I have shipped 5 1/2" drive  ratchets at one time in the paddded envelope (zip tied to a piece of cardboard).
 l use them when an item is too large for a small flat rate box.

Now I do tape the outside pressure points but have had no problems.


Brian
Title: Re: weight limit usps
Post by: sumner52000 on November 21, 2013, 08:36:40 PM
All the flat rate stuff is 70lbs.  I took an old blackhawk floor jack apart and shipped it in two large flat rate boxes.  Didn't come close to 70lbs.
Title: Re: weight limit usps
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on November 22, 2013, 08:21:54 AM
I shipped two IHC monkey wrenches from Wisconsin to Illinois in a padded envelope. All that the guy got,  THREE WEEKS later, was a taped up empty envelope.  If you ship something heavy, make sure that it is padded and can't move around in the envelope.
Title: Re: weight limit usps
Post by: wvtools on November 22, 2013, 08:44:01 AM
The international weight limit on the padded envelopes is 4 pounds.  For U.S. shipments, I would guess the practical limit is about 10-12 pounds.  I would be sure to tape is up well.  When I pack those heavy, I wrap tape all the way around twice in each direction and I tape their self adhesive seam.

I have mailed the large flat rate boxes to CA with 60 pounds of tools in them many times with no problem.  However, I wrap tape around the box so that every square inch is covered with tape with more on the seams.
Title: Re: weight limit usps
Post by: RedVise on November 22, 2013, 09:16:17 AM
The international weight limit on the padded envelopes is 4 pounds.  For U.S. shipments, I would guess the practical limit is about 10-12 pounds.  I would be sure to tape is up well.  When I pack those heavy, I wrap tape all the way around twice in each direction and I tape their self adhesive seam.

I have mailed the large flat rate boxes to CA with 60 pounds of tools in them many times with no problem.  However, I wrap tape around the box so that every square inch is covered with tape with more on the seams.


What he said...   Tape is cheap !!


Brian
Title: Re: weight limit usps
Post by: sumner52000 on November 22, 2013, 09:28:42 AM
I have been using Scotch brand packing tape because it is made in USA.  The last batch I bought from sams club was awful.  It would not stick to anything.  I'm lucky I didn't have any items get lost in the mail because of this.  I emailed them about the sorry product I had purchased.  About a week later a box showed up with 6 rolls of tape.  These 6 rolls are sticky like they should be.  Great customer service but wish the tape I purchased would have been up to par and saved me some trouble. 

When you ship use lots of tape.  If you use the flat rate envelopes cover every piece of it with tape.  Also helps to attach items to a piece of cardboard before putting it in the envelope.
Title: Re: weight limit usps
Post by: scottg on November 22, 2013, 12:14:34 PM
You can get away with a lot in a padded envelope, as long as you zip tie the tools to cardboard first and use a little extra tape outside.
 
 I shipped a vintage Purox cutting torch (heavy) with extra welding tips (about 10 pounds of brass) just fine this way. It was my old reliable torch for years, but I got another one (story below).

  The combination of cardboard with the envelope makes a huge advantage.
Tools shipped loose have little chance of making it.

  For a while my local Post girls were keeping track of what boxes weighed.
 I had second place for a med flat rate box for a while.

   My buddy Jim sent me Oxweld torch stuff (the Cadillac of torches).
  2 mint bodies, regular cutting attachment, twin cutting head (2 torches side by side and adjustable for distance apart), every cutting tip size made with duplicates of several common sizes, and every single welding tip size ever made for these. That's a lot.
 Well over 30 pounds of brass in a med flat rate box.

  I wonder what had first place in a med box??
         yours Scott