Packaging question

[rbiemer]

I got a catalog at work recently from the U-Line company; they sell all kinds of packing and shipping supplies. One particular thing caught my attention: the Insta-pak system. This is a foam in a bag that you activate, then put into the box, then put what you're shipping on top of the bag. The foam inside expands surrounding the item. You then activate a second bag and place it on top of the item and close the box. You end up with a custom fitted foam block completely enclosing what you're shipping.
Pretty cool, I thought.
Except: you need a special warming unit(almost $200) and they only sell case lots of the bags.
OK, so not for me as I only occasionally send cameras out.
BUT, I thought about the expanding foam insulation my local home improvement place sells. Seems like I could use that stuff for almost the same effect?
I'm thinking: camera inside a plastic bag, a small trash bag to squirt the foam into for the bottom "half" and another bag for the top(so you can seperate the two halves and get the camera out)
Maybe more trouble than it's worth?
Any body tried this?
Rob

 

[JoeFriday]

the problem with that is that the insulation might harden too much, which would mean that any shock to the outside of the box would be transferred directly to the equipment.. possibly making it even less protected.. ouch!

 

[rbiemer]

See, this is why I ask these silly questions here: somebody will point out my flawed thinking!
Thanks Brett. I don't think I'll be trying this. I'll stick with the bubble wrap!
Rob

 

[cp_ste.croix]

Buy some and a box and package some eggs in it. The throw it off a moving truck, which is my estimation of a simulated week in Canada Post's hands 😀

If the eggs survive, it should be ok for your camera...if not, you got to make a mess just like you're a kid, and all in the name of research.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

I'm a firm believer in the "box in a box" method. I'll put a camera in an archival plastic bag and then wrap it in large bubble wrap and put this in a box. Then I pack the small box in a large box surrounded with packing peanuts -- never have had a mishap.

 

[cp_ste.croix]

meta-packaging 😀