i found an excellent trick for such shipping. get a cardboard box-- appropriately oversized. get a can of the expanding foam that hardens. with box open, lay down enough foam to cover box bottom 1.5" or so.. let this layer begin to set up. you can smoothe it with a cardboard spreader that's used to control the layer thickness. enclose the item in a suitable plastic bag that is free of holes. assure that the bag is totally closed off. situate the bagged item onto the first foam layer. close the box and tape the top shut. cut a few 1/2" holes around the box ( just above the first layer). and cut a small 1/8" or so vent hole near the box top. squirt the foam into 1 or more of the holes. foam will expand, sealing itsself to the box walls and will totally immobilize the object. i've found this to work on ball vises and any manner of odd shaped stuff. give the foam a few (3-4) hours to set hard. you're set to go. be sure to warn the recipient how you packed the i tem. when the item arrives, very little problem for the foam to be cut away.
