E-bay is one of the best places to buy and sell used knitting machines.  It can also be the most hazardous: everyone has heard horror stories of metal bed machines broken due to poor shipping practices; the stories even more heart-rending as some of the most popular Brother and KnitKing machines are no longer being manufactured.  This guide for both buyers and sellers will give you some tips that will help the machine arrive in one piece, and some pictures of what happens when packaging is not done well.

A great way to start is with the manufacturer's original packaging.  

Be sure all styrofoam inserts are there, and follow the manual or advice below to be sure all pieces are protected.  Is the original packaging enough?  According to UPS, most original packaging is meant for items shipped on pallets, rather than individually.  Furthermore, they recommend that all electronic items are double boxed. This is a great idea even for a punchcard machine.  Simply get a box 6 inches (or more) larger on all sides than the original packaging, fill above, below, and around with packing peanuts (NO newspaper or plastic bags), use lots of packing tape (the machine is heavy, remember!) and you have a very well packed item.  What happens if you don't have original packaging, or some of it is missing?

Take your cue from original packaging! 

For knitting machines, the accessories such as weights, small combs, and tools are packed snugly in two styrofoam trays that sit under or over the main bed.   For home packaging purposes, it is best to ship these items in a separate box, wrapping items carefully and packing so that nothing rattles inside the box.  The carriage (and lace carriage if it has one) for the machine can be included in this box also, especially if you do not have the retaining clip to attach it to the main (or ribber) bed.  Having the weight of these items removed from the weight of the main machine will help reduce possible damage to the machine.   They also fit into a regular sized box, which is cheaper to ship than the oversized box the machine must go in.

One of the most important tips I can give is to REMOVE or PROTECT the COVER!!  Although not vital to the operation of the machine, it is the part most often broken.  The cover is for dust protection and snag prevention when transporting the machine by hand and is not meant to protect the machine from bumps and drops.  Some machines shipped originally with the cover off...it was packed with the styrofoam accessory trays.  In other machines, the cover is shipped on the machine, however the lid is supported within by the carriage, accessories, and some extra bubble wrap.   Please note the condition of the cover's plastic end caps of this machine that was shipped to me with the cover on. 

For home packaging, if the lid has any kind of gap when put on the machine you will need to protect the lid with it's own box or cardboard supports which can either be shipped inside the main bed box or on it's own.  If the lid is flush and snug with the machine, you can ship it this way as long as it is supported from the inside, and you take time to properly cushion the ends of the machine.  If in doubt, DO NOT ship the lid attached to the machine.  It is fine to clip the combs, rails, and masts inside the lid as they are meant to be stored, and this prevents these long items from being bent.

The main bed is the most vital part, protect it well! 

It is also the heaviest, averaging 50 pounds.  Care must be taken that undue weight is not put upon the plastic ends.  The outside of the box should clearly be marked FRAGILE, and THIS SIDE UP, keeping the box horizontal and not up on end.  The machine below was simply wrapped in a single layer of bubblewrap, then a single layer of cardboard.  The machine had the cover on, and the ends were cushioned with 1/4" thick cardboard boxes. I would not recommend this method, as hours of bumping around produced these cracks.  

The best scenario would be packing the main machine in a box 6" longer than the machine, wrapping the ends in several inches of bubblewrap to replicate the 3 inches of molded styrofoam that was on each end in the original packaging,  then stuffing the rest of the space with packing peanuts.  Do not use newpaper or plastic bags as cushioning, they will just crush under the weight of the machine.

The bed needs to be fully supported underneath by peanuts so that it will not warp or pull away from the plastic housing (if you have properly protected the ends, the bed will be sitting a couple inches off the bottom of the box). 

For extra safety, the first box should then be placed into another box several inches longer than the first box and surround the entire inner box with peanuts.  This is called Double Boxing (click Packaging Tips in the right column), or using an Over Box.   Be sure that nothing moves in either box when you shake the boxes or tip them up.  I would not recommend air pillows for end cushioning, as if even one pops you will be without protection AND the machine would then be free to slide around in the box.  

The lid and accessories could rest on top of the main machine box, but be sure the lid is protected by cardboard supports or its own box just in case the machine is set up on end or upside down.

Insurance

Many major freight carriers include up to $100 insurance on each package.  Be sure to have the machine insured for the full sale price, plus shipping costs.  If disaster happens, it is important for the buyer to keep all of the packaging materials.   Here is where good packaging is key: if the carrier determines that you did not package well enough (each carrier has guidelines on their website), there will be no insurance money coming your way, which makes for a doubly unhappy buyer and seller.  Be sure to keep communication open; if the machine is only cosmetically damaged, the buyer may be content with a partial refund.  New plastic end caps for the machine and lid can be purchased from a few online knitting machine dealers.

Still not sure?

If the thought of finding two long boxes so that you can double box the machine seems daunting to you, or you are afraid that the seller just won't take this much care, I would recommend using a professional packing service.  I purchased my Brother 930 this way from a seller who only offered pickup.  I did pay extra for shipping ($100 for the machine, the ribber, a g-carriage, and 30 pounds of books), but the machine arrived completely undamaged and I got a great deal.  Most sellers would be agreeable to using such a service if it is available in their town, just be sure to ask before bidding.

Other machines

For other heavy machines such as sewing machines and sergers, similar techniques such as double boxing and removing or supporting the lid can be used.

Thank you for taking the time to read my guide to shipping knitting machines, I hope that it will help improve the reputation of buying them on Ebay, and will save some of the irreplacable machines from damage.  Please visit ThePaintedTiger, I create handdyed yarns for knitting machine, hand knitting, weaving, or crocheting.