Shipping bows for the great trade

[Monkey Wrench]

What have y'all used to ship longbows to trade recipients?  I read someone use a PVC tube, is that the most common/easiest method?  

Thanks!!!
Brad

[Dan Landis]

I used 3" PVC with wooden plugs in each end and wrapped the bow in bubble wrap to keep it from moving inside.  Also be sure to place some padding in each end to protect the tips....Dan

[Ranger44]

I shipped my first ever and did exactly what Dan did.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I use PVC or a carpet tube. You could use some unperforated drain tile or something of the sort. I shipped a recurve one time in a piece of 10" sewer pipe and it was still only about 25$ to ship priority.

 Be sure to wrap it and pad it good and you will be fine.

[Mike Most]

I used 4" PVC, for a 68" longbow, worked good.

[scrub-buster]

I used the lightweight PVC and two caps. And lots of bubble wrap.

[fujimo]

same as all above-
when i shipped my scythian recurve,
4" pvc tube- heated the tube at the bends and bent it to match the bow, glued on the end caps- then split the tube lengthwise with a bandsaw- wrapped bow in extensive bubble wrap- 2 halves together, and bound it all up with a roll of duct tape.
then flew from south africa, via europe.
pounded averything to hell- but the bow was still great!!!!

[SEMO_HUNTER]

I used a 4" piece of PVC and wrapped it just like Dan described.

I went with the PVC because it weighed the same as a piece of carpet tube the same size and the PVC is more crush resistant, but given the oppurtunity I'm sure the US Postal Service could get er done!  

[John Scifres]

I've shipped scores of bows and blanks using a carpet tube and proper interior padding (read that as wadded up newspaper) without trouble.  It's about $7 for PVC and caps and about free for a carpet tube.  I'm super cheap    .  Ask at Home Depot, Lowes, or your neighborhood carpet store for the tube.    

Keep your package under 84" length+girth and you will avoid the surcharge.  I generally ship in the continental US for $15 or so Priority.

[scrub-buster]

Thanks for the 84" tip.  I knew there was a certain limit, but didn't know what it was.  The lady at the post office didn't know either.  She just punches the numbers in a computer and it gives her the price.

[AKmud]

That non-perf drain pipe is what I used.  It is MUCH lighter than PVC yet still very strong and uses PVC end caps.  The bow I received was from the same state I shipped my bow to.  The received bow was in PVC and showed $38 shipping, my bow going out was $21 because of the weight difference (of course they lost it along the way.....   )

[John Scifres]

You can go to USPS.COM and print your own shipping labels and postage and then have the package picked up by your carrier.  I do this with everything now.  It saves much time and hassle.  The clerks at the post offices are generally not well trained and I have much more pleasant times with the internet than with waiting in line for a clerk to do the same thing I can do at home     Honestly, I know the rules better than they do.

[tradbower]

John
   You hit the Bulls Eye about printing your own labels avoiding lines and rules. The internet is great.
           Pete

[SportHunter]

I agree with John, print your own labels, works great as long as you are accurate on weight estimate.

[Bradford]

I found a patio umbrella box for my recurve.  Worked great.  I always use USPS as well.. have had good luck.  I did delivery confirmation and 200 bucks insurance.. cost me 36 bucks.  I guess I went over the max. for boxes.  62" box with 6" x 6" sides.  O' well.. could be worse.

[KellyG]

Bradford,
I know it is too late now but I shipped one re-curve
and I made the box for it. I also made it triangle shaped as viewed from the ends. That cuts down on the size some.
Kelly