Hello all. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good place to get a shipping tube for a longbow. Thanks,
Tom.

Carpet store

Carpet tubes work well. The green PVC is better. Depends on $ you want to spend.

I'm a machinist and we get thers cardboard tubes they use to ship metal in all the time.  I'm 200lbs and can stand on them and they won't flex, very strong.  The shop usually throws them away so if you know any machinsts they could probably get you one.

Carpet store, or PVC pipe.  I have had two bows going overseas get completely destroyed in the carpet tubes.

Mark

3" pvc works great. A cap on one end, and a screw off cleanout plug on the other makes a nice reusable shipping container.

You get funny looks at the post office when you go to mail them though.  

You cant go wrong with the tubes from a machine shop.Im a machinist too.We cut and throw out quit a few each day.They come in 12' lenght.Wood plugs. Leon

PVC tube works great. I was in WI a few weeks back and ran upon a great deal on a fly rod, bought some pvc tube and caps at the local hardware, shiped UPS no issues. But didnt get some funny looks at the hotel when I was putting it together.
Best of all its reuseable

You can buy lightweight PVC tubes (3") from just about any Lowe's, Home Depot, or hardware store, or you can use a section of plastic downspout from the same places. Use USPS, it's cheaper and better all around.

Good luck!

P.S. To avoid a "balloon charge" the combined length and circumference of the tube must be less than 84".

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I stopped by a carpet store today and got a cardboard tube for free but it isn't the most sturdy thing in the world. I need to go to Home Depot later anyway and will look at their PVC and downspouts.
thanks again.
Tom.