Sytrofoam peanuts and EVIL and worthless

UPS states"
"Due to the shifting and settling properties of peanuts, it is recommended that a minimum of three inches of cushioning be used around the contents"
"not recommended for use with flat, narrow, or dense products that may migrate to the edge or bottom of carton during transit"

UPS recommends:
- inflatable packing (air bags)
- Bubble pack
- engineered (Solid) foam
- Spray in place foam

R-Tech solid foam sheeting available @ Home Depot (approx. $8 for 1" x 4' 8' sheet) is a good material to use for heavier gear.

I use peanuts for tubes (much prefer them to bubble wrap) and to fill package voids on delicate items (both light/heavy), such as vintage drivers. The peanuts (filling voids) absorb energy from drops/shocks which might otherwise cause damage (for example: whacking/jolting a vintage alnico speaker magnet can reduce its strength).

Styro peanuts are expensive in my area ($3/cubic foot seems to be the going rate, with perhaps a 10%-15% discount for larger/bulk purchases).

Forget the exact solvent (maybe lacquer thinner), but have read that Styro peanuts can be dissolved in the proper solvent to make a protective paint/spray on finish.

I recently shipped a preamp (did not have the original packaging) and figured out a simple method to protect the front/back controls and inputs. I wrapped the unit in a plastic lawn/leaf bag and then taped/strapped it down to a thick piece of flat cardboard (the cardboard piece extended beyond the footprint of the preamp and it was sized to snugly fit the bottom of an over sized inner box). This way the front/back of the unit had an air barrier with nothing to push against them while in transit. I also double boxed the unit with 2-3" of foam sheeting on all sides.

Next time I'm on the receiving end (having a used item packaged/shipped) I'll request this packaging method. It's easy and cheap (a piece of decent sturdy cardbard, an oversized box and a bit of extra tape are all that's needed).

Here's the solution. Wish I could patent it. Buy the zippered large baggies. Actual zippers on there - not the squeeze type. Put the peanuts into the baggies. Zip shut.

Pack the baggies around your gear. No mess. Great strength. Reusable. No mess. Especially good when double boxing!

Been there, doing that, as it provides great flotation for bulkheadless kayaks!