Iv done a lot of traveling with One piece longbows
and recently sold a few, i have a simple way to protect your bow that i thought i would share.
Quite a few people already know this method and have been doing it for years, but for those new to the game here's the way i do it.
Firstly next time your in Town go over to the Carpet/tile store and ask the lovely lady behind the desk if she by any chance has some of the inner cardboard rolls that the carpet comes rolled on. She will likely say "sure we have a pile out back", Ask if you may have a few, "sure it'l save us taking them to recycling take as many as you like" thank her and then look though the pile to find the ones in the best condition. No kinks and try find the ones that have one single seam and not a spiraled seam as they are stronger.
this is what your looking for...
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1362-2.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1362.jpg)
Now that you have the Cardbaord roll
you will need
-The bow your about to ship/or travel with
-Duct tape
-2x 12oz coffee cans
-Swiss arm knife with saw to cut cardboard roll to length
-Bubble Wrap/newspapper
- clear wrapping tape ( we call it Cello tape :) )
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1364.jpg)
Unstring the bow, and wrap the tips well with bubble wrap or cardboard to protect them, if your including a bow sock to sweeten the deal for the buyer nows the time to put the bow in the sock.
Lay the bow next to your Cardboard roll and i like to give it 1 1/2" past each tip now mark the cardboard roll and cut it.
Take your 2 12oz coffee tins and stuff Bubble wrap or newspaper into the bottoms to further protect the tips of your bow ( You can also cut closed cell foam to fit in the bottom of the tin for a more permanent use)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1366.jpg)
Now your ready to put the ends on
the 12oz can will fit snug in the Cardboard roll
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1367.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1368.jpg)
the Tin is the best way i have found to plug the ends of the roll, if you wish you can glue this end in ( epoxy / Gorilla glue etc) then duct tape it in place
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1369.jpg)
do not glue the other end just tape it and remember to mark which end is the end that should be opened.
Pretty slick Andy :thumbsup:
Now put the bow inside wrapped with babble wrap or in a bow sock and close the end as above (- the glue)
When your At the Post office ask the lady behind the counter if you may please have some "Fragile" stickers. Put these on the Tube.
Confirm the shipping address write it on some paper and then attach it the the package with clear tape so to water proof it.
When shipping longbows longer than 64" check the shipping length restrictions at the post office to avoid extra costs.
And when flying try to keep the longest length 62" or less to avoid extra luggage costs.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1355.jpg)
Here is another variation i use for it you really want the thing bomb proof only down side is it is much heavier than the cardboard version.
i also make smaller versions to travel with arrows.
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1357.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1358.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1359.jpg)
(http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h101/tradtusker/IVY_20091215_1361.jpg)
PVC drain with cap and screw cap on one end
Hope thats of some help to someone
Andy :thumbsup:
Nice job! One bit of advice that I did not see mentioned:
When shipping ANYTHING, I always include a mailing label or just a scrap of paper with my name and address and the destinating name and address on the inside, preferably attached to the article itself. Just in case something happens to the outside label, or one end of your tube comes off. It happens.
Any number of things could happen to the label-scraped off or obliterated, bad tape, moisture, etc. Cheap insurance.
hes right there thats what i do with Quivers i send but after saying that i forgot on one parcel i sent but it still got there. LOL!!!!
I , too use both methods, the carpet roll and the PVC pipe and have not had an issue in shipping. For personal travel, the PVC is my choice, lighter and sufficiently sturdy.
Good job, Andy!
The one thing I would mention is that the last time I did this the post office would not allow duct tape. Use the heavy clear wrapping tape.
QuoteOriginally posted by dnovo:
The one thing I would mention is that the last time I did this the post office would not allow duct tape. Use the heavy clear wrapping tape.
Just gotta sweet talk the lady mate :saywhat: ;)
no your right As far a s i knew they will only not allow duct tape is when its sent registered but Clear tape will work.
Very nice. I really like the coffee can idea....where can I get those for free like the carpet roll???
Thanks for sharing.
Not sure about the coffee can's John i just drink a lot of coffee :help:
I bet you might find a few at the recycling place though
If you are sending anything registered, (most secure) you can not use any tape that will not absorb ink. All seams/openings have to be red ink stamped to prove the parcel has not been tampered with.
So on registered parcels you need paper tape; the only one that used to be acceptable is water soluable tape- but that may have changed. I think you can use about any kind of tape on non-registered articles.
Gary