Pass Around 2017

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Terrywerm

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This is the thread for the 2017 Pass Around Box. It is a continuation of the project which started back in May of 2015.
To see the thread for the first pass around project, click on this link: http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/pass-around.35887/
To see the thread for the second pass around project, Pass Around 2016, click on this link: http://www.hobby-machinist.com/threads/pass-around-2016.43894/

For those who are not familiar with this project, I will explain:
We start off with a medium sized flat rate box from the USPS. It has a substantially braced aluminum interior box which is filled with various odds and ends, doo-dads and goo-gahs, not to mention thing-a-ma-jigs and whatchamacallits (highly technical terms for various machine shop related items :big grin:). People who wish to participate contact Terrywerm or Autonoz and their names get added to the list of participants. The box gets sent from one participant to the next and the next, with each participant removing items of interest from the box when it arrives, then putting other items in their place before sending it to the next individual. This box will circulate down the list until late December at which time it will be returned to the originator. A new box will be started each year if the interest continues.


Here is a tracking link so everyone can see where the box is and where/when it's going next. This is a simple spreadsheet on Google Docs. Everyone can view it, however only Autonoz and myself are able to edit it. The entire history of where the boxes have been is listed there.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c9ibB9G2luefRS7bvUguhZ58EZwUCcEHILNHdTB6a_E/edit?usp=sharing

To have your name added, contact either Autonoz or Terrywerm by way of a Conversation (Inbox, upper right corner of your screen) simply say so and we will add you. Please include a brief description of the equipment you have in your shop so that we can look ahead and try to include items that will fit what you have. We are also requiring that you supply us with a VALID email and phone number. This contact information will be available only to Autonoz and myself, but is necessary if the box becomes stagnant while in your possession so that we can contact you and figure out how to proceed. Participants need to request to be added to the list each time. Names do not cycle through or get added a second time automatically. If you want to be added again, let us know.

Every project like this needs to have a few rules to keep everything on the straight and narrow, here they are:
1. Items must be related to our hobby or it may be an item you made with our hobby.
2. No items may be edible, alive, or alive in the past (leather is okay)
3. No illegal items, hazardous materials, flammables, radioactive or strongly magnetic items - this is a USPS requirement :finger wag:
4. Replace the same number of items as you remove if room permits.
5. Consider the value of the items you remove and replace with comparable if possible. Just be reasonable.
6. No bad mouthing items if they are not up to your standards, be respectful of the previous senders efforts.
7. Photos of the items you keep should be posted in this thread. If you are unable to post photos, please post a good description of the items you kept.
8. Do not take photos or create descriptions of the items you put into the box... The contents are meant to be a surprise for each participant.
9. If the box is in your possession it is your responsibility to contact the next member below you on the list for his or her address.
10. It is desired that the box is mailed back out no later than seven days after receiving it. This gives each person plenty of time to decide what to keep, restock, repack, and send it on. Life happens, we know, but PLEASE make an honest effort to follow this timeline and keep the box moving. If you feel that you will not have time to give the box the care it deserves when you receive it, please speak up ahead of time, and we will move your name down the list so that you receive it at a time that may work better for you.
11. When the box arrives, please post an arrival notice in this thread. When you get it sent off, please post a shipping notice in this thread
12. If the inner box needs repair, please do so before shipping out again. If it becomes too severely damaged, contact Autonoz or TerryWerm so that we can arrange for a replacement box.
13. Repack the box carefully - add appropriate packing material to keep objects from moving around in the box. Please be sure to enter the date, your H-M screen name, city, and state in the enclosed log book.
14. The cardboard outer boxes are free from your local post office. Please replace if necessary.
15. Shipping will cost you $13.45 to send the box to the next participant. That is the only fee for participating.
16. Be aware that there is a weight limit of 70 lbs on the box. Anything that fits inside up to 70 lbs ships for one flat rate. The box weight has typically remained in the 30 to 40 pound range.
17. There are no guarantees that you will find anything useful in the box when it arrives, or that the items you keep will equal the cost of shipping. This is strictly for fun and does involve a bit of chance.
18. This project is open only to members that live in the United States because the flat rate boxes may only be used there. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other US possessions are not eligible.
19. Any member can get on the list as many times as he wishes, but we are going to require that there are at least ten individuals on the list between your entries.
20. If a member does not respond to a request for a shipping address within one week of being contacted, he will be skipped over. He can ask to be added to the list again at a later time.

If you agree to all of the rules listed here, then by all means, join in! :encourage:

If you have any questions, please speak up by either posting to this thread or by contacting Autonoz or myself through a Conversation.

Be aware that there are two different sizes of Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate box. We are using the box that has these dimensions: 11 7/8" x 3 3/8" x 13 5/8"

You can order the correct box right here: https://store.usps.com/store/browse...tegoryId=shipping-supplies&productId=P_PPFRB2

You order the box online and your mail carrier leaves it in your mailbox for you. You pay for it online ahead of time and print the mailing label and within a day or so the empty box is delivered to you. Once you have it and pack it up you can go online and schedule pickup of your package by your postal carrier. All you have to do is tell them online when to pick it up and where the box will be (in the mailbox, by the front door, etc). The last two times that I had pass around boxes here I handled it that way and it worked slick.

I thought I would pass this along as I am often on the road during the week and have no chance to go to the post office. It really helps out those who have exceptionally busy schedules.

At the end of the calendar year, the remaining members on the list will be carried over to start a new list for the new year. A new thread for the new year will also be started and the thread for the old year will be closed.
 
Starting off the 2017 year, The Liberal Arts Garage is currently in possession of the box and he plans to ship it off to the next participant (jimmills) right after January 1st.

Currently there are only eleven people on the list so if you want to get your name on the list, please contact Autonoz or myself and we will be happy to add you. :anyone:

If you have been on here before and wish to be added again, just let us know.
 
Terry, Thanks for maintaining this again. Hope you had a nice Xmas and have a happy new year.
 
That's good to know, though I don't know where I stumbled on that restriction. Any idea on what makes the distinction between those that are ok and those that are not? A good guideline would be helpful here as there are some items that are magnetic that are very beneficial to us as hobby machinists.
 
What is prohibited is "Magnetized material with a magnetic field strength of .002 gauss or more at a distance of 7 feet." According to the K&J Magnetics website, that's what you'd get from a 1 1/8" diameter, 1/2" thick, grade N52 neodymium magnet (which is a really strong magnet). I've used magnets like that at work, and they're almost too strong to handle safely without special precautions. For ordinary stuff, I don't think there's anything to worry about.
 
Okay, I did some research on magnetic material and found this definition on the USPS website:

Magnetized material is an article that has a magnetic field strength capable of causing the deviation of aircraft instruments and producing erroneous aircraft magnetic compass readings.

So, where does one draw the line? I know that magnetic bases for dial indicators have long been banned from air shipment for the reason stated above. I assume that a person could mark the package in some sort of appropriate manner so that it gets shipped by ground only if a strong magnetic item is included in the box. Of course, this could potentially ruin the three day delivery promise of Priority Mail.

Food for thought I guess. Too bad Cliff Claven isn't a member here, he'd be able to fill us in on the details. :grin:
 
What is prohibited is "Magnetized material with a magnetic field strength of .002 gauss or more at a distance of 7 feet." According to the K&J Magnetics website, that's what you'd get from a 1 1/8" diameter, 1/2" thick, grade N52 neodymium magnet (which is a really strong magnet). I've used magnets like that at work, and they're almost too strong to handle safely without special precautions. For ordinary stuff, I don't think there's anything to worry about.

I guess we were both writing at the same time. Thanks for the details!
 
If there's any doubt just bury it in the middle of a bunch of steel parts to shield the field. It's not going to be as effective as a non-perforated Amumetal shield, but it should be plenty for anything anyone would be interested in shipping in this box. If anyone is thinking of including a magnet strong enough to affect the aircraft instruments then they have a sick sense of humor, because that would be an absolute beast to separate from the ferromagnetic tools, toolholders, etc. that are getting passed around.
 
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