Seed Runs Co-Op Logistics/Cost/OT Discussion Megathread

[HolyAngel]

I hate that corrugated plastic. You NEED to put in chopsticks or something on the sides so it doesn’t crush, and they’re just a big pita to take seeds out of without mixing or damaging any compared to other shipping containers.

Centrifuge vials are cheap on amazon or ebay. Can usually get at least a couple hundred vials for less than $10. The 0.5ml should do ~15-20 seeds. The 1ml vials will easily fit ~30-40. May or may not be compatible with rollers in an envelope.

If the vials are too small to deal with due to arthritis or other issues, Lacon Sample Containers are a bit more expensive but sooo much easier to work with. These are what i’ve seen Sebring use for a lot of the seeds he sends out. These should also easily fit in an envelope for the rollers.

[Shadey]

@HolyAngel

The 1ml vials will easily fit ~30-40. May or may not be compatible with rollers in an envelope.

They are right on the limit, you have to tape them between to piece’s of card so they don’t move and keep the tab and hinge to the side’s.

[Meesh]

You can use excel or word to print labels. It lets you choose Avery sizes and numbers. It’s not complicated. If you have any experience with Microsoft office it’s fairly user friendly.

[GMan]

@ReikoX had a link for the coin holders and the rubber washer that works really well, but doesn’t allow for larger amounts. I need to contact him about those links to buy for my own needs. the seeds seem to survive a simple envelope and the rollers.

[HolyAngel]

Yeah those would definitely work fine too. Should be able to get 11-15 seeds or so depending haven’t seen that particular washer first-hand but I’ve definitely seen similar packaging with similar seed count.

[Hephaestus]

I was curious what me.sparkle was using for seeds. totally wasn’t what I expected. So I started playing. Thinking matchbox makes most sense.

That’s 25x25x5mm (5mm thick seems to be the US/Canada lettermail rule)

Each box is 2.05g / 8 minutes. All walls are .4mm so single pass designed to be printed without supports or cleanup.

Added 50 duplicates - here’s what s3d says for petg (the environmentalist types may want pla since it’s biodegradable - Id prefer the flex and not shattering of petg (think soda/pop bottle plastic))

[Shadey]

@Hephaestus

That’s 25x25x5mm (5mm thick seems to be the US/Canada lettermail rule)

Technically in Canada seeds should be sent in an oversized letter or have an oversized letter stamp, which is what I use. The max height / thickness for an oversized letter is 20mm with a weight no more than 100grm so that gives you more room to play with. Bigger than 20mm thickness and your letter becomes a parcel and costs jump from $2.13 to $17 I think.

[Hephaestus]

Yeah, I was just keeping the stealth factor in mind - >4mm inside is enough for a layer of most seeds, flat matchbox style means tape it to cardstock and toss it in something.

Running a test group this morning on a mothballed printer (with a .6mm nozzle installed too just to really push the worst case)

If they slide together half ass decently (though I’m pondering a latch feature of some sort) I’ll throw it up on thingiverse.

Since just about everyone knows someone with a 3d printer, between friends, schools, libraries. Half ass makes sense, maybe a bit more time intensive than buying the centrifuge vials, but also at least minimally easier to ship.

edit - if anyone wants to test drive/print/usps destructive test… https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4617310

[Shadey]

Flat is definitely easier than a conical shape. Stealth is good as well, not so necessary in Canada but where its illegal it’s going to be better. Being able to fit in an envelope with a normal stamp cuts costs further so that’s a bonus.

[HolyAngel]

hmm this match box is actually pretty neat. S3D won’t actually generate the outer box itself, I need to play with the settings on here. I’m on a 0.6mm nozzle on a cr-10s4 myself, but the matchbox portion actually came out really strong for just being PLA and looks like it’d easily hold 3 packs(11) of seeds. The matchbox itself with PLA takes me ~10 minutes to print. Can’t imagine it being more than 30min with both.

[ShiskaberrySavior]

This box that is govt approved that the 5 pre rolls are sold in work great for shipping thin enough for a $2.50 stamp packed in a bubble envelope any where in Canada ,fits through there slot and measurement doesn’t bump it into the small package bracket .
Holds a shit ton of seed safely .

[Hephaestus]

@HolyAngel

hmm this match box is actually pretty neat. S3D won’t actually generate the outer box itself, I need to play with the settings on here. I’m on a 0.6mm nozzle on a cr-10s4 myself, but the matchbox portion actually came out really strong for just being PLA and looks like it’d easily hold 3 packs(11) of seeds. The matchbox itself with PLA takes me ~10 minutes to print. Can’t imagine it being more than 30min with both.

That’s printed on a mothballed (hasn’t been used since march 2019) ender, I tossed in a .6 nozzle (left as .4 in software so like a super worn out nozzle) and ran a fresh cura install + default settings, ran at 120% on leftover filament that’s wet as fuck. So pretty good approximation of a typical library/makerspace/school printer. 3 of them were 22 minutes at .20 layer height. Can’t remember what cura thought - out to lunch number as always.

I realized this scenario doesn’t take into account corner ringing. It’ll assemble but it’s tight. So I’ll post a looser fitting outer case for this scenario in the next little while. Taking out clearance from .10 to .20 should cover it if my calipers are right.

[Tejas]

Like this:

I just received this from @ReikoX in a small envelope.

[ReikoX]

Here is the thread with links.

Using a coin flip and a hose washer to mail seeds

This is a good way to ship seeds safely, and it usually only costs the price of a first-class stamp to mail. I realize this is not groundbreaking, and many people have been doing it this way for awhile, but I thought I would share here in case there are people who haven’t seen this method of shipping. Get a coin flip (one of those cardboard sleeves used to collect and display coins) and a hose washer. Place the seeds inside of the hose washer, like this: [120197740_1064688557294286_1134069853…

[GMan]

Thanks you brother. I know I bookmarked it but that was last year. I’ll leave it open now until I get them, heh. They seem to work great for 10-15 seeds. Sending in an envelope is a huge savings but no tracking. But the seeds arrive just fine. My little town always tries to ding me for around $14 to send a small padded envelope when I always receive them from others paying $4. I have to make it for sure under 3/4 inch and put my own postage on it but even that info can be sketchy. If I go to the window at the PO he’s gonna make me pay, lol.

[Guitarzan]

I noticed in the About the Seed Runs Co-op ⚠ Read before you participate thread, MOTR is still listed as the US distro, so any new members are probably still sending her their safe addys.

It should probably be updated to reflect @Sebring taking over from MOTR until she’s back in the saddle.

[Sebring]

@Guitarzan

It should probably be updated to reflect @Sebring taking over for MOTR until she’s back

Fixing it.

[Hephaestus]

@Hephaestus

So I’ll post a looser fitting outer case for this scenario in the next little while.

Did add some v2 files to the thingiverse repository.

Not to take anything away from reiko’s method - it was particularly handy since it provided a washer I needed this spring

But for a rush or a very occasional ship - maybe more convenient for some.

V2 in white. Reworking as a 2" with logo for a customer now to be printed on the SLA

[Eudaemon]

@Shadey

As soon as you make a penny profit your a business, and can be prosecuted with tax evasion and selling seeds illegally

I’ve been able to seriously push the envelope with how much I’ve been able to get away with over the years while everyone around me is dropping like flies from the heat. The key is doing nothing for money and everything for the thrill. I think the downfall of 99% of people in this world stems from greed. It’s now a rule for me–hard and fast–and if I am in a situation where I am compelled to accept money, I give it away as quickly as possible. Sitting on money is far more dangerous than sitting on weight and sitting on weight is only dangerous because its worth money. Keep that shit as far away from me as possible!

[zephyr]

Hi everyone,
I’m happy to say @Vertebrata is our new volunteer for co-op distribution to Latin America!

Seed Runs Co-Op Logistics/Cost/OT Discussion Megathread

We are looking for a new volunteer for distribution in latin america. I want to thank madscientist for all his volunteer work distributing the previous co-op projects. After checking in with all of the distributors, madscientist let me know he was having too many problems with the mail service in his country. If anybody would like to volunteer as a new distributor for latin america, please leave a note here. if you you would like to suggest someone, please PM them and ask if they would like …