Share-a-long: packaging a bow for safe, economical shipping via USPS

[Mudd]

This my attempt at my 1st "share-along" about packaging a bow for safe and economical shipping as taught to me by a master(JD Berry).

I asked JD about his shipping because I noticed the cost to him for shipping and it was considerably less than what my experience with shipping cost have been. I wanted to know how he was saving that extra money because I remembered that most of the bows I've shipped usually cost me over $20, his were considerably less.

JD Berry has been using this method of shipping out his bows for over 10 years and has never had any issues with his bows arriving safely.

JD says he makes all of his shipping boxes himself using this formula.

Measure your cardboard 2 to 3 inches longer than your bow and 10" wide.

Using a tape or ruler, mark the 10" width at 6" and 4". Score the cardboard at these measurements then fold toward each other,it ends up being a triangle.

Unfold the cardboard and place the bow in the center and refold the cardboard around the bow then secure the cardboard into place using strapping tape.(Other tapes aren't as secure.)

I used his method to ship his two personal bows that he shipped to me just so I could get the experience of shooting his Vixen and Morningstar.
 
It worked great and was considerably less cost than the method(s) I had been using.

I decided to see if it would work for shipping other items as well.

I packaged up some arrows to send one of the young men(JEFFERSON13) that I have been mentoring for a few years now.

I shipped them on Saturday and got a call from young Jefferson yesterday letting me know that his surprise package has arrived.

I asked him if there were any kind of issues with the condition of the arrows, there were none.(Woohoo!)

I will be shipping a bow in the next day or so and I will do my best to document with pictures the process from beginning to completion.

God bless, Mudd

PS: this method works for longbows whether reflexed, straight, or string follow and some less radical r/d bows.(arrows too)

[Duker]

GREAT post Mudd     Sounds easy and simple to do     THANKS for the share-a-long  

[stabow]

Thanks will be looking forward to this because the post office ding me the last couple times on oversize packages even though who sent it to me didn't  go figure.
My buddy is looking forward to getting this bow I will tell him to save the package .........stabow

[Steve Jr]

Thanks for sharing the process Mudd.

[Bladepeek]

A triangle is the most stable geometric shape. That's why you see all the triangles in open towers.

For arrows and other small stuff, the post office has them already to go. I will definitely try the triangle-bow-box build for my next bow instead of a rectangle.

Thanks Mudd.

[KOOK68]

thanks for sharing Mudd! You obviously have better luck with USPS than I do.

[Brianlocal3]

Mudd,
Funny you made this post. After I recieved my first bow from James I was intrigued by it so I dissected the box and promptly got y own cardboard and repeated the process. It is fantastic!!!!! I have since mailed all bows this same way.

[SELFBOW19953]

Mudd,

Does this work for all longbows or just mild R/D's and straight limbs?

[Brianlocal3]

For a  major hybrid like a thunderchild you will have to make it wider than 10" to start, how much would be a trial and error situation

[John Scifres]

Keep your overall dimension less than 84" to avoid a surcharge.  Overall means length plus girth.

Do online (Click-n-Ship) postage and have the package picked up at your house.  It's usually $2 or so cheaper and much easier.  Use an accurate scale and the widest girth.

Post office clerks don't often know how to ship long, skinny packages.  I know the rules better than most of them.

[stujay]

Mudd, will be looking for those pics when you send your next bow.

[Mudd]

I'll be going to Columbia this evening and will pick up some card board while I'm there.

The plan is to ship tomorrow.

Things are way too hectic here today to get it done.

God bless,Mudd

[Mudd]

Here are the tools I used.

 

Step by step pictorial

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow hopefully Nick can come by before he goes to work and be my camera guy to show just how the bow is packaged inside.

God bless,Mudd

[Mudd]

I need to apologize ahead of time.

I've had nothing but frustration trying to get my video to down load to the computer in a place I can actually use it.

I had to do it in segments and it may not be as complete as the original video but I hope that you get the main idea(s) of how to do this.

Click on photo to watch the videos.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

God bless,Mudd

[Ric O'Shay]

Great tutorial. Thanks Mudd!

[Mudd]

Here's the big pay-off for making your own shipping container.

I just shipped the bow to Georgia from Missouri and the total cost of shipping and insurance was $13.85.

That represents a substantial savings over what my shipping cost have been in the past.

God bless,Mudd

PS: I'll follow up after the bow arrives at it's destination to let you know how it fared.

[KOOK68]

Another thing I did when shipping a longbow. Buy a pool noodle for 2 bucks. Cut a section 6 inches or so and put on the limb tips. Can also split one and wrap the riser.

[Chromebuck]

Here is a JD Berry package received just today.  It cost $19.15 from Washington to Alaska.  Bow was in mighty fine condition.

   

   

~CB

[stabow]

Mudd that's a great price the last bow I shipped was 30 something. You let Mile know its on the way?

[Mudd]

The answer to your question is.... Naw!  

I figure he'll know it when it arrived...lol

I am hoping the M.O. gets here by the time the bow arrives there..lol

God bless,Mudd