Shipping a bow???

[HickoryBill]

 With the PA bow trade coming up I thought it might be a good idea if we explain/ show the best ways to ship bows? That way everyone gets their new bows in one piece!! I know some of the guys are kind of new( Not trying to insult anyone) and maybe have never received or shipped a bow before. I also know the postal service can be kind of brutal on packages sometimes. I will try to get some pics up of how I do it later.   Thanks Bill

[John K]

pack it like you expect a truck to drive over it and it will be fine 

Seriously, use pvc, carpet rolls, Shipping tube, ect..Make sure to wrap the bow  good with bubble wrap or something similar , especially the tips and everything should be good 

[Elktracker]

Good idea, I was thinking of going to a carpet store and getting old cardboard tubeing wrapping the bow in bubble wrap and shipping usps. I have never shipped or recieved a bow so I am interested how most do it. thanks HickoryBill

Josh

[HickoryBill]

I've been thinking about starting thread this since I entered the PA  bow trade,I just didn't want to offend anyone in the process.

[Elktracker]

 

[Dvshunter]

I have a Lowes and Home Depot by the house and have shipped enough bows that I donlt even have to ask for the old rolls antmore. They just wave as I carry them out. They work well. I starten using cheap plastic caps for the ends and now wrap them in bubble wrap too. USPS for me too. I haven't had a problem yet. I also ship priority.

[Pat B]

I use thin walled PVC pipe either 3" or 4" depending on the bow(s). I put end caps on both ends and wrap the bow in bubble wrap. You can buy a 10' piece of 4" PVC for just over $8 and the end caps are less than $2 each. I ship USPS priority mail with delivery confirmation. I was told by a postal worker to ship valuable things priority mail because fewer postal workers touch it. It usually gets to it's destination in two days too.  I get delivery confirmation so the package can be tracked if necessary.  I don't buy insurance because I have no way to proove the value of my selfbows if the bow is damaged. I have shipped lots of bows this way and never had a bow damaged by USPS.

[hillbilly61]

   PatB   "I use thin walled PVC pipe either 3" or 4" depending on the bow(s). I put end caps on both ends and wrap the bow in bubble wrap. You can buy a 10' piece of 4" PVC for just over $8 and the end caps are less than $2 each."

This is the same thing I do. It weighs less than the cardboard rolls (less shipping cost) I'm cheep on the bubble wrap. I just stuff walmart bags around it

[Pat B]

I use grocery bags and wadded news paper too. We save bubble wrap from packages we recieve. I haven't had to buy any.

[Pat B]

...also, If you buy two 10' PVC tubes with a "bell" end you can make 3 shipping tubes.

[sailordad]

i have used the cradboard tubes in the past
but i think  i am going to check into the pcv tubes

i get my bubble wrap from work
ya'll have no idea how many auto parts come fvrom FORD in bubble wrap
i have boxes full,evrything from the small (less than dime size bubbles) to large (golf ball size bubbles)
im to cheap to buy it if i can get it for free
oh ya,i also use plastic grocery bags for packing too

[Marc St Louis]

Carpet tubes are free and work well but only for straight limb bows.  When shipping a recurve or RD bow then the only thing I have been able to do is make my own rectangular shipping boxes out of heavy duty corrugated cardboard that I recycle from furniture stores.  Heck of a job to make but when done I cap the ends with 3/8" plywood that's stapled down, makes the whole thing very strong.

[sadiejane]

have also been successful making my own triangular shaped boxes outta bicycle boxes.
stuffed well with packing to protect-the wood ends are a good idea
only shipped two so far but they arrived safe!
both shipped ups

[trapperDave]

Ive used two of the triangular priority document "boxes" available at USPS. Bubble wrap bow, slide one over each end and slip one inside the other in  the middle. Tape the heck out of it and off she goes. I have sent/recieved a ahlf dozen or more recurves this way.

[Pat B]

I have heard some horror stories about shipping UPS. Never had a problem with USPS.
  If you go online to the USPS site you can order the triangular priority boxes in bundles of 10(I think) for free. USPS will ship them right to your door.