Need shipping/transporting advice, please.

JMK

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Maple Grove, Minnesota
I need to get my new Rock-Ola from "Point A" to "Point B" (a distance of approximately 1,000 miles) as cheaply as possible. Freight quotes for LTL and short-haul carriers have proven to me that picking this up in-person is the least expensive alternative, and I'm currently considering my options.

Front.jpg


What I'm thinking I would like to do is lay this unit on it's back, and bring it home in the back of my truck (suitably protected with padding, a topper, etc, etc). However, I'm a little leery about this since I don't know if this will cause problems with any of the internal mechanisms.

356347092_o.jpg


My thoughts are to take some tools with me and remove the tonearm, amplifier, woofer, and anything else that is loose/could be damaged, before tipping it on it's back and CAREFULLY sliding it into my truck. I'm also considering removing the entire turntable mechanism, if necessary, but I don't know what that would entail. (Note: Someone here sent me an "Instruction Manual" for this model which shows qty (4) "Mechanism Anchor Locks" for the turntable assembly. I can't put the email address with the moniker and thus I don't know who sent it, but if this will suffice I'll run with it).

Questions:

1. Can I safely tip this unit on it's back for shipping? If not, why?

2. If so, what else should I remove or be aware of?

3. Is there anything in the selector drum mechanism that I should take extra precautions with? Seems to me the bearings are meant to be used in a horizontal plane, and I would hate to damage them.

4. I seem to be finding many restored 1454's on the internet. Since this 1452 is so similar, is there a "Guru", or "Go to guy", who knows about these?

Thanks everyone!

Jim
 
The original manuals (available from www.victoryglass.com) show the "uncrating" procedure that is done to a brand new juke. Securing it for a long haul move is just the opposite of uncrating.

This jukebox email group has plenty of seasoned veterans there that can answer your questions:

http://lists.netlojix.com/pipermail/jukebox-list/2010-March/subject.html

One thing for sure is that you will definitely need to remove all the records so bring a box to put them in.
 
Ken,

Thank you for the reply!

I've ordered every piece of literature Victory Glass has to offer for this model, and I just registered and sent out an email to the email group (another "thanks!"). Hopefully I will get a response before I have to make a "go/no go" decision on tipping this thing on it's back. The seller is being patient and working with me on this, but I would like to get it out of his way ASAP.

Regards,

Jim
 
Jim,
You will most likely do much better picking it up yourself than trusting it to a mover. Unless you're a total putz, you will put a lot of extra care into the move whereas they don't really care. "That's what insurance is for"

1000 miles isn't so bad, figure 5-6 tanks of gas a couple meals and maybe a hotel stay for the night if you are making the trek alone. Otherwise a 2nd drive is highly recommended. I'd also bring a roll of bubble wrap to put around any delicate parts, I.E. tone arm, tubes, etc...

At least you'll know the machine was treated with care and respect.
 
CykoMF,

Thanks, and what a moniker! :)

And you are correct- I've come to the conclusion that picking this up in-person will be much better, and now all I have to do is coordinate my schedule with my Father's (since my Mother is going in for surgery sometime soon).

And as it turns out, I'm going to be using his truck since mine has an engine "issue" and I'd rather not get stranded somewhere. However, his truck doesn't have a topper, and my topper won't fit on it. So, the shipping/receiving guy here at work is going to build me a custom shipping crate, after-hours, based on my dimensions- all for a 6-pack and some BS time. Gotta love it! It will look somewhat like a coffin, and he is going to leave the bottom (as the jukebox would lay) and the front open, and once I get it packed in there nice and safely all I will have to do is nail these panels down, cover it with about 3 layers of plastic sheeting or tarps to keep out the weather, and I'll be good to go!

And thus the father-son rebuild project takes another step forward....

Jim
 
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