In article ,
Tim Wescott wrote:

I have inherited some vintage radio pieces from a relative who recently
passed away (this sort of thing is always bittersweet -- I lust after
those radios, but I'd much rather have my uncle-in-law back, thank you
very much!).

I'm in Oregon. the radios are in North Carolina, and I'm not sure that
there's an experienced antique-radio-shipper at that end that I can call
upon to pack thing up properly. There's around ten boxes, one of which
is reported to be 100 lbs (it's a Collins 75-A -- is that really 100 lbs?)

What can the group suggest for having this stuff shipped?

Professional freight company, preferably as a single shipment on a pallet.
(They're less likely to drop it off a forklift.) Insure it against damage
in transit (they will then take more care to avoid an insurance claim).

Will UPS or Fed-Ex handle such a heavy radio?

Do _NOT_ use UPS if you want something to arrive intact.[1]

My uncle's ham club is helping the
family liquidate the radios, but the fellow that I talked to was
uncomfortable with the idea of opening up the rig to pull tubes for
shipping. Is there a way that I can get this done, or do I need to
impose on my father-in-law to do it (they'll be out for the internment).

A crate with *thick* foam padding or polystyrene chips (Do NOT use solid
polystyrene sheet/board/block, as it has no cushioning value), and about
2 to 4 inches of padding around the sides. Avoid shipping equipment with
die cast (Mazak) components in subzero temperatures as the alloy becomes
very brittle and will shatter like glass if dropped.

Assume the worst: that the shipping company only employs psychopaths who
get a bonus for every parcel they destroy in transit, and package stuff
accordingly. You might get lucky and have it survive[3].

Good luck,

Chris.
p.s: The tagline at the bottom of this post is a direct quote from a
Signal Training pamphlet: "Maintenance of signal equipment in the
field" with a small addition by me. Believe it.
[1] Their "sorting" facility uses rams to shove packages off one conveyor
onto a lower one. Apparently the drop is about three feet.[2]
[2] I've got the result of a near mint WS19 sent via UPS - every panel bent.
[3] Cynical? Me? Of course I am, I have to deal with Parcelforce[4] in the UK.
[4] "The package destruction arm of Royal Mail PLC." -- Peter Corlett.
--
"...It should be remembered that goods in transit receive very rough
handling, a free drop onto concrete from a height of 4' 6" is not
improbable, and packaging should as far as possible be made to meet
these conditions". -- The British Army has obviously used UPS.