Need help shipping a bow

[coachA]

I have sold a 58" one piece bow and I need some suggestions about a bow to put it in. Any suggestions will help?

[Caughtandhobble]

Check out the DIY forum, there is a detailed post on making exactly what you need.

Or go to a carpet store or home depot and get a cardboard tube from a roll of carpet. They make great shipping tubes.

Bisch

[Archie]

I have shipped bows in long, reinforced cardboard bow boxes, but also in custom wood boxes I've built.  The wood ones are clearly superior, and a lot classier.  

One great tip is to NOT use a round tube, because they roll around too much while in the shopper's custody, and get crunched in automated equipment and conveyer belts.

[Archie]

Just saw Bisch's post, not trying to go against his advice.  I've used those tubes he mentioned and they work well.  But once I saw some TradGang comments about round tubes getting crunched, I started building boxes.

[PaulDeadringer29]

I have used a carpet tube numerous times shipping one piece bows without a problem. Every package shipped is susceptible to damage.

[elkken]

If it's a long bow carpet tubes work well or some 4" PVC from Home depot, if it's a recurve you'll need something wider. Corrugated "cardboard" is actually better than wood, I was in the packaging business for 41 years, it's lighter and stronger when designed properly.

[Blackhawk]

All good advice, but one other thing to consider...and that's cost of shipping.  

I always use USPS priority mail with insurance and found it extremely safe and fast.  However, keeping total measurements at 84" and under (length plus circumference) will save you $20 or more if you go over.  

A bow like the one you describe can be sent cross country for $20-25.  And just insure for actual value of bow.

I only use cardboard boxes and no round tubes either.

[pinky]

On the receiving end,
I have only received a couple of full length bows in the mail, both are 64" mild R/D longbows.  One was wrapped in bubble wrap and shipped in a triangular folded cardboard tube from florida. The bow and the shipping triangular tube arrived in great shape.

The other was shipped in a thinner walled PVC tube from Pennsylvania, this one shipped in it's bow sleeve and wrapped in bubble wrap. The bow arrived in great shape but i think the bubbles saved the day.
Both bows had extra foam or bubble wrap around the Tips also.
 

I took my pvc tube down to the UPS office and opened it there and it thankfully was unscathed.
Bubble Wrap!    

[joe vt]

Buy a hockey stick on line and you will get a great recurve shipping box!!!

If you have two arrow boxes; they will work taped together.

Originally posted by Archie:
Just saw Bisch's post, not trying to go against his advice.  I've used those tubes he mentioned and they work well.  But once I saw some TradGang comments about round tubes getting crunched, I started building boxes.

No problem here, Archie. I had never heard that before about the round tube containers.

Bisch

[M60gunner]

Whatever you use, tube or box ship it priority mail or second day air. Less handling and sitting around waiting to ship. Yes, more money but that is cost of doing business.

[SKITCH]

Originally posted by Bisch:
Or go to a carpet store or home depot and get a cardboard tube from a roll of carpet. They make great shipping tubes.

Bisch

Yep...I've had really good success shipping a few bows and other long objects in these tubes.  Just go to Home Depot or Lowes and ask for their tubes.  I've found they usually have a pile of them because no one wants to take the time to break them Down for the compactor.  Also...some are MUCH stronger than others so look over as many as you can.  If you don't want to get into trying to explain what you are doing ....just tell them they are for a kids project

[Bill Turner]

Depends on the type of bow. One piece recurves always pose a problem. I received a straight limbed LB from a TG member a few years back in a plastic gutter drain pipe (2"x3"). It's sold at Lowe's. Makes for a great shipping tube. For the reflex/deflex bows or recurves, check out the triangular boxes offered by USPS for priority mail use. You will probably have to order them for home delivery but there is no charge. Get the large size and slip two together to accommodate your bow. Tape the boxes together. Securely pad your limb tips and you should be good to go.    

[damascusdave]

The lady at my Canada Post Office told me a while ago there is actually an additional charge for anything shipped in a round tube...you might want to check that with your local shipper

DDave

[SKITCH]

For what it's worth.   All the boss I've shipped in the cardboard carpet tubes have been the reflex/reflex bows.  Wrapped in bubble wrap and fit in the tube!!   My post office told me it was about length and never mentioned shape of tube. ???

[SCATTERSHOT]

I use 3" downspout fom Lowe's for longbows, and arrow boxes taped together for recurves. You can get them from 3Rivers.

Whatever you use, pack it tightly with bubble wrap and reinforce the tip areas.

Priority mail, insured, is the way to go.

[coachA]

I made a box from the directions in the How To resource section. It worked great! Thanks for all of the ideas guy. I truly appreciate it.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Often I go to an auto body shop. They usually have exactly what I need.  sometimes with a few modifications.  Or often I will take flat Cardboard and make a  triangular box.

I have also used the instructions in the "how to" forums with much success.

Furthermore, I have shipped in the carpet tubes without issue.  Usually they will not put them on conveyor belts.  I find the bigger issues is human error when they take them off the belts, they set them down and forget about it for a  few days.  Bow always gets there just usually delayed.

As mentioned earlier.  I always bubble wrap and if possible or available, I fill voids with packing peanuts.   Other than delayed shipments , i have never had an issue.

Just a thought but what if someone made square caps for the round Tubes?

[beaunaro]

Square or even triangular caps for the round tubes?

Great idea!