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Shipping

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Will come apart
Won't come apart

Will Come Apart

Cut a piece of newsprint (the sheets that newspapers are printed on) so the width is about 2 or 3 inches wider that the length of the jaws, and the length is about 15 or 20 times the depth of the jaws.

Wrap the newsprint once around one jaw, then put the second jaw next to it, and continue wrapping. Fold the ends over, and tape securely. The intent is not to provide any cushioning, but to bind the two jaws into a single unit.

Cut a second piece of newsprint so the width is the length of the screw (the threaded portion) plus twice the length of a handle, plus a couple inches. The length should be about 40 times the diameter of the threaded portion. ( A yard for a one inch screw.) Wrap the newsprint once around a spindle, then put the second spindle next to it, with the handles at opposite ends. Continue wrapping. Fold the ends over, and tape securely.

Place the spindles on top of the jaws (small clamps), or next to the jaws (big clamps), and wrap once or twice with bubble wrap. (I like small bubbles.)

Make a box from the tops of the cartons for copier paper. The fit should be fairly snug, maybe an inch or two gap around the clamp. Cut slots in the edges and slide the pieces together so that you can get a double wall thickness of cardboard.

Place the wrapped parts in the box, and fill the voids with crumpled newspapers, popcorn, styrofoam beads, or whatever. Seal all edges with 3 inch wide tape. Wrap in brown paper.

Won't Come Apart

Check with your delivery service (FedEx, UPS, USPS, or whatever) for restrictions on sizes.

Technique 1: Clean a pizza box as best you can. Wrap the clamp in plastic film, place it in the box, and fill the voids with popcorn or styrofoam beads or similar material. Secure the top in place with sticky tape. Seal all edges with 3 inch wide tape. Wrap in brown paper.

Technique 2: Get several cartons for printer or copier paper from the local copy center. Cut down sides and ends until you have a box the right size. Try to overlap all seams, or use pieces of cardboard to bridge all the joins, for increased stiffness. Seal all seams with 3 inch wide tape. Wrap in brown paper.

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