How do you stuff a box for shipping?

I hope i have the right forum.

I have some cast iron straight-edges to ship. In the past I wrap them with bubble wrap and ship in cardboard boxes. I just ordered some new 12 x 12 telescoping cardboard boxes, meaning they can be cut to the right length and one box fits over the other to get the length needed. Mud sent me a straight-edge last year and he had it packed with foam. But I think he has a foam gun that is made for packing.

I was thinking has anyone used insulating foam in this way? I bought some spray cans yesterday and figured I would give it a try today. I have been looking on You-Tube and no one has tried it with the spray cans that I have found. It appears to expand about 4 times. I have a big void in one of the 36" long Straight-edges, but the 48" isn't as much. I was thinking of a combo bubble wrap and foam. I do plan on putting 3/4" plywwod square blocks on the ends too, just in case they drop it so it won't rip through the ends. I was thinking of standing the box on it's end and drilling holes in the box and fill it from the bottom up, so it expands upward.

Has anyone ever tried spray insulating foam for packing material? Thanks, Rich

The maximum weight for a USPS package is 70 lbs. Also, there are some things that you can’t send at all (prohibited) and other things you can only send under certain conditions (restricted). Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) might be prohibited or restricted.

As a rule of thumb, if what you’re sending could harm people or cause damage (like lithium batteries), very carefully check the list of Domestic Shipping Prohibitions, Restrictions, & HAZMAT.

Prohibited Items

Some items are prohibited (completely forbidden): You can’t send them through USPS, so you’ll have to choose another carrier. Prohibited items include:

• Ammunition, explosives, and fireworks
• Items containing liquid mercury
• Alcoholic beverages

Restricted Items

Other items are restricted: You have to follow the rules, stick to any limits, and properly package and label your items. Restricted items include:

• Lithium batteries (like the ones that come installed inside small electronics, like laptop computers or cell phones) are usually OK to send if the items are new (or a manufacturer-certified repair); if the items are used, they can only be sent via ground transport (can’t go on planes).
• Perishable items (like plants or food) are generally OK to send as long as they are properly packaged and won’t spoil or leak.
• Some items have special packaging requirements, or can only be sent via ground transport, like perfumes containing alcohol.

You have to follow all laws and USPS regulations. If you don’t follow the rules, you might face fines, or even criminal penalties.

If you have any questions about what you may ship through USPS, review the restricted and prohibited items list.

See More Details: Domestic Shipping Prohibitions, Restrictions, & HAZMAT

Review USPS Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, & Perishable Mail

Try the HAZMAT Shipping Tutorial