Bud Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 I'm taking a molding-plane-making class in May and I need to get a small set of tools there with me (gotta fly). Does anyone have experience with shipping hand tools vs checking a case or bag? I have a pelican case in mind and have most of my tools mapped out in illustrator but I'm not sure how this compares in terms of convenience and security to shipping. The case will be under 50 lbs so I won't incur a weight fee for a checked bag on the plane but I'm worried about my tools, not sure what to do. Any advice would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 Call and ask the airline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 I would consider shipping, just so you can lock the case up. TSA is likely to pilfer through your checked bag, since it will obviously be filled with deadly instruments of destruction if X-rayed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 see if you can fit them into a carry-on sized bag. Remove all the sharp parts and put them (the blades) in a checked bag, and then carry the planes on as carry-on. Hopefully the blades will be less interesting to anyone looking to pilfer stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 I'm thinking shipping, too. If there's a shipping store near you they can give you an estimate of the shipping cost. Make sure to also ask about the cost to (further) package what your sending, and insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 Let us know what you do, and how it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 I'm not sure i can help you but I'd take some blue painters tape and wrap it over the sharp edge leaving a slight flag. It's not a lot of protection but it's better than nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 Ship them to your hotel. Call the hotel and alert them that the package is coming and they'll hold it for you. I do this a lot with my work stuff and have never had an issue this way. Be sure to insure your package. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 Shop & insure plus take photos of each tool as packed just for documentation . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 When I traveled a lot as a field tech it was common practice to pack your tools well and have them shipped ahead. Just pack them as if someone is going to play basketball with the box and you'll be fine. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 Do not even consider trying to take tools as a carry on. Guaranteed someone will think you under contract to a middle eastern nation. if they're going to fly with you then they'll need to be checked baggage. Be aware that TSA and baggage handling has the authority to remove or disable any lock should they deem necessary. I'm on the same page with those recommending shipping your tools. With next day delivery they should be there before you are. If the conference is being done in a location where it repeats it's likely the hotels are used to dealing with this. Also do yourself a favor and do some advance scouting for how you're going to return ship them. Google your destination city and find out where the nearest ship location to your hotel is so you're not scrambling on your return day to try and figure out how to get your tools home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 I travel with legit weapons. No one cares if they are locked properly in a bin. (Firearms excludes as you have to declare and verify the lockout.) You might have to explain they are woodworking tools. No more. US guys aren’t the one likely to pop that case open. They will have a dog sniff it and move on. My knives etc make it through Germany and the cases don’t get opened until Zim unless they sit too long in South Africa. The real concern is rough handling, but shipping does not guarantee better handling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted January 25, 2019 Report Share Posted January 25, 2019 10 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: I would consider shipping, just so you can lock the case up. TSA is likely to pilfer through your checked bag, since it will obviously be filled with deadly instruments of destruction if X-rayed. I agree, TSA will definitely get in there and no telling how they will repack it. I'd also get insurance on the pkg if it were me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted January 26, 2019 Report Share Posted January 26, 2019 It's a pelican case.. take it to the tsa check where they inspect long rifles. Have them inspect it, then lock it. Carry the key on with you. I would absolutely Never ship my nice tools out of my control. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ_Engineer Posted January 26, 2019 Report Share Posted January 26, 2019 Throw a firearm in the pelican case and check it (assuming you are traveling to a free state) and you can actually lock it. They'll work double time to find a missing gun if it doesn't get to your destination. Shipping will be expensive I imagine, but either way you're packing them in a hard case the same. It's been a long while since a checked bag of mine has gone missing or delayed. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted January 26, 2019 Report Share Posted January 26, 2019 That's a clever idea i'm gonna remember that.... I got TSA pre check because i hear they started to hassle photographers that carry on their cameras. For some reason they don't like seeing the lenses in the xray or something. The pre check helps prevent you having to unload all your camera equipment. Not something that will work for tools though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted January 26, 2019 Report Share Posted January 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Chestnut said: That's a clever idea i'm gonna remember that.... I got TSA pre check because i hear they started to hassle photographers that carry on their cameras. For some reason they don't like seeing the lenses in the xray or something. The pre check helps prevent you having to unload all your camera equipment. Not something that will work for tools though. Germany expected me to mount every lense onto the camera and turn it on so they could look through each lens. Forgot about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted January 26, 2019 Report Share Posted January 26, 2019 4 hours ago, Chestnut said: That's a clever idea i'm gonna remember that.... I got TSA pre check because i hear they started to hassle photographers that carry on their cameras. For some reason they don't like seeing the lenses in the xray or something. The pre check helps prevent you having to unload all your camera equipment. Not something that will work for tools though. Probably case by case but I flew earlier this week with my DSLR and a couple lenses and it didn’t bother them. You do have to pull the camera out of your carry on bag though. The sliced apple, however, made them mad. Years ago I was flying through Germany or Switzerland and had a fountain drink. Security made me take a sip of it before letting me through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted January 27, 2019 Report Share Posted January 27, 2019 Regardless of their putrid procedure, TSA does make me feel safer, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylder Posted January 28, 2019 Report Share Posted January 28, 2019 I had TSA refuse to let me carry on an antique brace (drill) with no bit. You cannot carry on any tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted January 28, 2019 Report Share Posted January 28, 2019 3 minutes ago, Dylder said: I had TSA refuse to let me carry on an antique brace (drill) with no bit. You cannot carry on any tools. OP said Check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby W Posted January 29, 2019 Report Share Posted January 29, 2019 On 1/27/2019 at 4:47 PM, Dylder said: I had TSA refuse to let me carry on an antique brace (drill) with no bit. You cannot carry on any tools. Hi, Dylder - you can carry a limited number of tools in you carry-on. I routinely carry a screwdriver and other small tools. Mine beaks down because you are limited to 7" length. I suggest that anyone check with TSA before taking tools in carry-on. Ironically, I was told you can now carry box cutters, the thing used to hijack the 9/11 flights. And the world just keepson spinning.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Posted February 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 Wow...thanks for all the responses everyone, lots of good suggestions. The trip is still a way off but I'll post my solution when I finalize everything. Because I'm staying for vacation immediately after the class I won't have any room in my carry on, plus it's a big enough set of tools that I'm definitely going to need to check or ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumpnav Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 I vote for shipping. Easier to file a claim if lost or damaged. The airline has a greater chance of putting your stuff on the wrong flight and you won't have it when you need it. A lot of golfers ship their clubs now as opposed to taking them on the airplane...less chance of damage or getting lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bud Posted June 1, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 1, 2019 This is what I ended up with - I bought this case, although now the pictures on amazon have changed slightly so I'm not sure what's going on with product quality...looks the same but who knows. I checked the case with American Airlines and had zero issues, made it thru three flights (one connecting). The foam in this case is already segmented into squares so it was a bit tough to fit the curved objects but everything made it without a scratch. Overall I'm happy with the case but would be willing to spend the extra money for a pelican case, I can't explain why but I would spend the extra money. I used some cheap non-TSA locks for two reasons: 1) TSA locks offer very little security 2) Most expensive locks can be cut just as easily...plus I figured once a potential thief saw that it's not a camera or lenses they would lose interest. I never really considered shipping, I think it would be more expensive but actually have no idea. I paid $30 to check the case from Vegas to PA, and then $30 again from NY to Vegas - $60 total. I never even weighed the case but it's less than 50 lbs. Thanks for all the suggestions! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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