I have the ability and tools to make crates, but yikes!, I've never actually attempted it. How much handling do you add for your crate-building service? Do you leave the sides open (just framing; 1x4s?), or do you cover everything with plywood? And do you just use something like door skin material or do you go with thicker plywood? I just bought a pneumatic stapler, so making crates would go easier now.

I've got some large pieces of furniture listed right now and would love to give people freight quotes, but the crates would be about 65" x 40" x 30", and I wouldn't even be able to lift them by myself.

Do you mean you cart the crates with the furniture packed inside to the Fedex station, or just the empty crates? One of the pieces I have would weigh at least 150 pounds crated up. I do have a pick-up truck, but still....... How would I even get the thing up to the Fedex counter (and then back to the truck again!)? Or will they bring a scale out to your vehicle?

I'm going to call plyconvanlines.com tomorrow. They have an office in the Los Angeles area (I'm in San Diego County).

Sue