Mark Bulgier wrote: <snip>
By the way this is why I install ruined trash BB cups (and head set cups and a seatpost stub) in a frame before shipping. Not to make anyone feel bad for not doing that, it's a little-known secret. +++++++
I often use an alternative that also works well. I run a chunk of large dowel (or equivalent scrap) through the bb, cut 1" shorter than the width of the box. Each end of that gets a plate of 1/2" plywood about 6" x 6" (whatever is convenient) screwed to its end to spread loads. Often these plates get mounted to a board maybe 15" long that elevates BB a bit above the box bottom.
Similar treatment for the fork-end spreaders, which I make out of wood held in place by sheet rock screws.
Now, to really keep things from rattling around, I drive sheetrock screws with very large thin washers through the box wall and into the plywood plates.
Recently, when shipping framesets, I have removed the fork, and mounted its ends to the BB assembly, with the steerer lying along the down tube, isolated by foam, but tied to that tube.
Your mileage may vary, and there is nothing more creative than determined idiots (anywhere, I'm not picking on the shippers), but so far this has worked for me. But, as an amateur, I can spend more time than professionals, to make up for the scarcity of proper materials.
harvey "thumbs" sachs
mcLean va