Tape Project Forum
Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: docb on October 25, 2010, 04:20:02 PM
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Once again we experienced a tragedy today when we opened up an Otari MX-5050 that had been shipped to us at a phenomenal price from Australia. The machine was packed in a custom made MDF box lined with styrofoam. Unfortunately the padding was not soft enough to absorb the shock of dropping and the C core power transformer tore loose from the mounting plate, much as we had happen to our 5050 a couple of year ago when we shipped it to CES. This is the primary weak point in the MX-5050 series. Luckily the trans did not flail around in the machine and take out all the PC boards like ours did. But we can't mod it for the customer unless we can find a replacement power trans. Bummer.
If you are going to ship an MX-5050 series machine, consider shoring up the power trans inside the chassis when you pack it.
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That's great advice. The brutality that sometimes occurs in shipping is something to behold.
Proper packing with strict adherence to carrier requirements is absolutely essential if an insurance claim has to be filed.
I bought an MX-5050 8-track a few years ago that was damaged in shipping via Fedex. The machine was packed in a double-wall box protected with styrofoam blocking and paper matting. This box was inside another single-wall outer box with three inches space between them filled with paper matting. When I got it, both boxes had been speared with something (looked like it must have been a 2-inch pipe). The side panel was split, the ventilation plate was buckled, screws were sheared, the brake assembly was bent, etc. All in all around $2300 damage. The Otari tech said he was impressed with the force it took to do this. Fedex eventually paid, but they fought the claim for months. Fortunately the packing met their guidelines.