I'm moving: What's the best way to pack the Detolf?

kondef · August 26th, 2012, 04:12:58 PM

Hey all,

I'm moving soon and I'm not sure what the best way to pack the Detolf is.

I imagine I should disassemble it and flat pack the glass between pieces of cardboard.

Does anyone have any experience with moving Detolfs? Any tips? I'd hate to have them damaged obviously.

Thanks!

**Smashdaddy** · August 27th, 2012, 12:09:56 AM

I've never had to move one, but it makes logical sense to dismantle them all and package them with care.

I imagine just one of them still assembled, (without the glass shelves, of course), in the back of a moving van and along comes that one BUMP...!

Oy...!

MutantXavier · August 27th, 2012, 03:41:59 AM

Just to dismantle a detolf is a challenge already... But better be safe than sorry.

AdamWarlock87 · August 27th, 2012, 04:34:10 AM

I just moved recently and rented a Uhaul and didnt have to dissassemble my detolfs I just took out the small glass shelves and taped the doors shut and just stood the detolfs next to each other surrounded by other furniture. No problems at all I just made sure when they were unloaded that I retighted all the screws and there were some that got loose with the vibrations.

riteguytu · August 27th, 2012, 06:02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamWarlock87

I just moved recently and rented a Uhaul and didnt have to dissassemble my detolfs I just took out the small glass shelves and taped the doors shut and just stood the detolfs next to each other surrounded by other furniture. No problems at all I just made sure when they were unloaded that I retighted all the screws and there were some that got loose with the vibrations.

This is what I did also...

**TrueFaith** · August 27th, 2012, 06:53:02 AM

I think it depends how far you have to move them.
If you're just moving across town you could probably keep them mostly assembled, keeping in mind that if you bump them (even slightly) against anything hard or metal the tempered glass could shatter instantly. I would also be very careful to put padding between the inner metal frames and the outside glass so they can't possibly touch each other.
If you're moving out of state or across the country, I would take the time to disassemble them.

kondef · August 27th, 2012, 12:43:33 PM

Wow Im surprised you guys took the chance of NOT diassembling them but nice to hear that they made it intact. I'm hiring movers so I'm not sure if I trust them to be delicate enough with it assembled, but then again, would the glass be better off on its own? I guess it would rattle less. Decisions, decisions....

Thanks for the advice!

impossiblepie · June 3rd, 2013, 02:48:27 PM

I am moving soon, and I have three of them.

Kondef, how did the move go, what did you do with them?

Tetragrammaton · June 3rd, 2013, 06:00:07 PM

Just buy new ones, they're cheap enough.

**TrueFaith** · June 3rd, 2013, 06:09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tetragrammaton

Just buy new ones, they're cheap enough.

Or just buy a spare to use for parts if anything does break.

RavenCrow · June 3rd, 2013, 06:37:36 PM

I've moved 3 times with my Detolfs and the first time we had movers - we just repeated their approach and it worked just great.

1. Take out the shelves and wrap them up in newspaper and pack them separately.
2. Tape the door shut using a tape that won't leave a residue behind. It is best to tape it in several places to ensure that the doors won't open.
3. Wrap them completely in Moving Blankets. These aren't terribly expensive and come in handy when you're moving.
4. They are really not as fragile as you think they are. You can tilt them over and have someone carry the top end while you carry the bottom end. Carry them to the transport vehicle.
5. You should always move them upright, don't lay them down. Use bungee cables to secure them to the truck wall and make sure they're solidly secure. Ensure that nothing will slide into them and if you have pillows or blankets to separate them from other furniture pieces use them.

I hope that helps.