Re: Skids or no skids, truck or plane

["Ashley McGrew" <AMcGrew@getty.edu>]

Kurt,

Your comment on the sacrificial nature of skids, and Richard's about having them countersunk, reminded me of how much time over the years I have spent chiseling off - glued down splinters of skids held in place by a few remaining stubborn twisted nails. 
I agree with Richard on his skid detail. Replaceable skids are a feature that I have used myself, and have offered to clients when possible in the past.

Recounting encounters with broken skids does illustrate your comment about their sacrificial nature. I think it also points out a potential benefit of their use. 
When you do see the impacts encountered by your crates skids, it raises the question "would you rather that impact be directed directly to the joints of your crate"? 
In some cases that I have seen, I feel pretty confident that the same impact applied directly to a corner join could have "compromised the integrity of the containers seal". Something to think about.


Thanks to everyone who has already responded on these two questions.
Those of you who haven't had the chance to comment please still do as you get the chance.
There are more considerations to weigh on both sides of both issues.

Both questions seem to be reoccurring in nature, and by discussing them this forum your thoughts can serve as a reference for folks who find themselves having to make these kind of decisions for the first time.
Thanks again,

Ashley
  
>>> "Kurt Christian" <Kurt.Christian@slam.org> 8/22/2007 7:40 AM >>>

Ashley,

Just a few thoughts to add to this subject. I have never really heard
any valid argument against using skids. Bryan makes a really good point
about a skid actually being protection against a forklift, so in a sense
this is a sacrificial layer as a skid can always be replaced. As to
truck vs. plane, you must keep in mind that an airplane won't be picking
up a crate at your museum so even if it goes on a plane you are still
sending it on a truck two times. The truck that will be picking the
crate up to go to the airport will normally be a bob-tail type with a
short wheel base traveling over less than perfect city streets. Even
with air-ride, it will get a much bumpier ride than in a tractor
trailer.
More importantly, when you send by air you double the number of times
that the object is physically transferred, and that is statistically the
most dangerous period of transit so it is worth thinking about. By truck
even if you don't purchase "exclusive use" it still won't be loaded and
unloaded those two extra times and it gets a better ride while it is on
the ground.

Regards

Kurt