Shipping floppies.

[tradde]

Is there a preferred way to pack 8" floppies for shipping. Are they susceptible to x-rays or the like? I would like to believe these were pre-formatted, but have no way to guarantee this. I just want to make sure they arrive in the condition they are now. I have never shipped a floppy disk before. Thanks.

 

[Chuck(G)]

Don't worry about it--it takes quite a strong magnetic field to corrupt a floppy. Do pack them so they won't get wet or overheated or contaminated by condensation. I've shipped thousands by USPS with no issues.

 

[tradde]

Thanks, that is good to know. I have no plastic bags (ziplock type) that are big enough to fit the boxes. I will try fitting the floppies themselves into said bags with desiccant to absorb any moisture. I will not seal the bag. Hopefully this will be enough to keep them dry.

 

[mnbvcxz]

Somebody sent me an 8" floppy disk once, it was bent in the post.

 

[tradde]

Well, I think it would be hard to send just one by itself. Need some form of stiffening on both sides. All mine are in boxes (1 cardboard, 1 plastic).

 

[Chuck(G)]

I've also sent them out in 8" floppy mailers.

 

[tradde]

Never used one. Were they just stiffened envelopes basically?

 

[Chuck(G)]

About the same as an 8x10 photo mailer

 

[NeXT]

I normally ship 5.25" disks sandwiched between sheets of cardboard and DO NOT BEND written on the outside.

 

[mnbvcxz]

Well, I think it would be hard to send just one by itself. Need some form of stiffening on both sides. All mine are in boxes (1 cardboard, 1 plastic).

Exactly, When I sent two 5.25" floppy disks to someone, I used a thick cardboard box that you could almost stand on, with additional packing inside.

 

[Chuck(G)]

My floppy mailers are intended for single disks. They're plenty stiff.

 

[mnbvcxz]

My floppy mailers are intended for single disks. They're plenty stiff.

I think some people may see them as a challenge

 

[tradde]

It's amazing what some postal workers can do to a package. If marked fragile I think they take that as a challenge. Just like you said.

 

[Chuck(G)]

In extreme cases involving more than one floppy, I use the Uline Easy-fold mailers. Never had one mangled--I've got enough to last me into the next life...