Mailing Bows

[David Holt]

What's the best way to mail a bow?  Packaging, Post office, Fed Ex?

[Mike Most]

I went USPS and encased the longbow I was sending in schedule 40 4" pvc pipe. It worked.

[Osagetree]

The tubes in the center of carpeting rolls. See your local carpet installer!

[Apex Predator]

USPS Priority Mail all the way!  I use PVC sewer pipe.  A 10' piece runs $6.50- $8.00 depending on whether it's 3" or 4".  The caps are around $1-2 depending on which size you need.  Straight and mild R/d longbows will fit in the 3" and pronounced R/D and some recurves will fit the 4".  Never had a problem.

[Roy from Pa]

I'm gonna do it like Alex said the next time. Last BBO bow I mailed out, arrived with the top limb snapped right off backwards. And insurance is dirt cheap..

[David Holt]

I used mail and More when I sent my brothers bow to texas.  It was something like 80 bucks with them packaging it in a cardboard box for me.  Just didn't want to have to that again.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I shipped a recurve for about 20$ in pvc pipe. I had to get the big pipe to, I think six inch. that was priority mail

[David Holt]

Do you wrap the PVC in brown paper or just put the sticker right on it?

[Pat B]

I sent the trade bow to Osagetree in a 4" thin walled PVC pipe with caps on both ends. I think it was just over $10 from NC to Ohio and got there in 2 days, USPS, Priority with delivery confirmation.
 This is how I always send bows and never had a problem.
  David, just use a Magic Marker or Sharpie to address right on the PVC pipe and put clear shipping tape over the writing to protect it. I usually wrap the caps with shipping tape to secure them too.

[Apex Predator]

I glue one cap and tape the other with duct tape.  I created myself an account with USPS online, and just print labels on standard paper.  I tape the labels on well with clear packing tape.  I can even schedule it to be picked up from my door step the next day for no additional charge.

[razorback]

What do you guys pack around your bows, inside the pvc tubes.

[4est trekker]

I use carpet tubes with wooden disks screwed into each end.  I then wrap them with packing tape.  I put the bow in a wool bow sock, then tape those air pockets around the bow until the thing fits snug.  Not the bubble tape, but the ones that resemble the size of a hotdog bun.  I also pack each end with them, along with packing foam, so a sudden drop doesn't hurt the tips.  I ship via USPS Priority Mail with insurance and delivery confirmation.  Hasn't cost me over $25.00.  The PVC pipe and caps are the easiest, though.  Just adds a bit of cost to the shipping, as carpet tubes are free.

[JamesV]

I shipped in a piece of downspout gutter pipe and the bow arrived safe but the pipe was bent badly. Luckily I had the bow well wraped with bubble wrap

[Pat B]

I use bubble wrap around the bow and wadded newspaper or plastic grocery bags at the ends to protect the tips.
  I never insure any bows I send as they are all selfbows or wood backed bows and the PO won't value them like they will if you have invoices to verify the cost of your materials. Like I said, I've never had one lost or damaged in shipping with USPS. I make sure the bow is securely packed with lots of padding.
  I was informed by a USPS agent that with Priority Mail, fewer hands touch the package so that in itself is good insurance.

[SkookumDon]

Great ideas, guys. I've never seen the thin PVC pipe. where do you get it?

[Pat B]

I got mine from Lowe's. I believe it is sewer vent pipe. It might be called schedule 20.

[Shaun]

Recently discovered that the "Pack & Ship" strip mall stores charge a lot even if you have your own completed packaging. $25 through them / $10 at the local post office for priority mail.

[barley40]

The caps are kinda pricey. Just cut cardboard disks for the ends of the pvc and duct tape real good. Tape newspaper around the bow and stuff more of it around the bow tips to keep the bow from sliding around. Works for longbows.

[Pat B]

Barley, I've done the cardboard discs too and also cut wood plugs for each end.