MAIL-IN CARBIDESHIP IT FROM ANY STATE

1. Text photos first — before you ship anything

Send photos of your carbide with a rough weight and your city and state to 312-880-8174. I’ll review them and give you a firm number for your lot before a single box moves.

2. Pack it in a sturdy box

Carbide is extremely dense — a medium USPS flat-rate box holds roughly 40 to 60 lb of inserts. Use a sturdy corrugated box, tape every seam heavily (the bottom especially), and never use padded envelopes or poly mailers. Carbide tears through light packaging.

3. Put your name inside the box

Include your full name, phone number, email, and a short inventory note — approximate weight and what’s in the box — inside the package, so your material is matched to your photo review the moment it arrives.

4. Ship to the address I confirm by text

I’ll text you the current shipping address along with your instructions. Use a tracked service and keep your tracking number. Do not ship until you’ve received your firm number and the confirmed address.

Step 1: Send photos and details

Photograph your carbide material: the overall quantity plus close-ups of representative pieces, labels, and boxes. Include an approximate weight, your city and state, and whether the tooling is new, used, or broken. Email everything to sjohns@ironcrestindustrialsurplus.com or use the contact form.

Step 2: Receive a review and instructions

Ironcrest reviews your photos and confirms whether mail-in makes sense for your material. If it does, you will receive current shipping instructions including the destination address, packaging guidance, and what to include with your shipment.

Step 3: Package your material

Follow the packaging instructions below. Carbide is extremely dense, so proper packaging matters more than it does for ordinary shipments.

Step 4: Ship your carbide

Ship to the address provided in your instructions using a tracked service. Keep your tracking number. USPS Priority Mail, UPS, and FedEx Ground all handle carbide shipments routinely when packaged properly.

Step 5: Material is received and verified

When your shipment arrives, the material is checked against your photos and description. Weight is verified and the contents are confirmed.

Step 6: Payment is arranged

After verification, payment terms discussed during the review process are completed. Do not ship any material before receiving current instructions. Shipping without confirmation can delay or complicate your transaction.

Choose the right box

• Use a sturdy corrugated box, preferably double-wall for heavier lots
• Small, compact boxes are better than large ones; they are easier to handle and less likely to burst
• Do not use padded envelopes or poly mailers; carbide will tear through them
• For very heavy lots, consider a USPS Flat Rate box, which handles weight well at a predictable cost

Protect the contents

• Wrap loose inserts, end mills, and drills in paper, bubble wrap, or foam so pieces do not shift in transit
• Keep manufacturer boxes intact; do not dump new inserts loose
• Fill empty space with packing material so nothing rattles
• Separate new or boxed tooling from loose scrap within the package

Seal and label

• Tape all seams securely with heavy-duty packing tape
• Reinforce the bottom of the box; this is where failures happen
• Write the approximate weight on the outside of the box
• Include your return address clearly

What to include inside

• Your full name, address, phone number, and email
• A brief inventory list: approximate weight and types of carbide included
• A reference to your photo review (your name and the date you sent photos is enough)

If anything about packaging is unclear, ask before you ship. A quick question now prevents a damaged or delayed shipment later.

How much does it cost to mail carbide?

Shipping cost depends on weight, box size, and distance. Carbide is heavy, so even a small box can cost more to ship than you expect. USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are popular for carbide because the price does not change with weight. Get a shipping quote from your carrier before deciding; for very small lots, confirm that the shipping cost makes sense relative to the material value.

Is there a minimum quantity for mail-in?

There is no strict minimum. A few pounds of inserts or a handful of end mills can be worth reviewing. That said, be realistic about shipping costs: mailing a single pound across the country may cost more than the material is worth. When in doubt, send photos first and we will give you an honest read on whether mailing makes sense.

How long does the mail-in process take?

After you send photos, review typically happens quickly. Once you ship, transit time depends on your carrier and distance. After your material arrives and is verified, payment is arranged per the terms discussed during review. The full cycle from first photos to completed transaction is usually a matter of days, not weeks, assuming prompt communication on both sides.

How do I get paid?

Verified shipped loads are paid in 24 to 48 hours by check, Zelle, or wire. Lots of 500 lb and up: 50% is wired when the carrier pickup scan and sealed-drum photos land, and the balance is paid within 24 hours of verified weight. First loads of 1,000 lb and up can run through escrow. Your firm number and payment terms are confirmed in writing before you ship anything, so there are no surprises.

What if my material is different from the photos?

Describe your material honestly in the first place and this is rarely an issue. If the received material differs materially from what was reviewed, we will contact you to discuss before proceeding. Accurate photos, honest weight estimates, and keeping non-carbide material out of the shipment prevent almost all discrepancies. When in doubt, include more photos rather than fewer.