Just thought I would share how I build a bow case.  I use 3" or 4" sewer pipe, depending on what I want.  The 3" works great for straight or mild R/D longbows.  Just slip your longbow into a sock and into the tube.



This sewer pipe has a 3,000# crush strength.  It is much lighter and cheaper than sked 40 though.

Here are the two different sizes.  The 4" model will fit several longbows.  I've had my pronounced R/D and a straight one, with a little extra room.  It would hold 3 straight ones with no problem.



The handle can be rigged many different ways.  I had the leather already, but nylon strap would work as well.   I used a coupler that I cut in half and slipped on to the place you see them.  It enabled me to drill tiny holes to start some 3/8" long sheet metal screws with a drop of super glue on the ends for lube!     Works great, and they don't protrude into the inside of the tube.  The coupler halves are glued on with pvc cement.





One end has a cap that is glued, and the other has a "test plug", which was the most expensive part at $4.43 and 6.47 depending on the size.







I just measured my longest bow and added 5 inches for length.  You can glue some foam to the glued on cap before gluing it on for cushion on the bottom end.  

Works great, is light weight, and best of all, can be built in less than an hour very inexpensively.  The printed ink that comes on the pipe can be wiped off with acetone.  

Total cost, not counting the leather, was  right at $16 for the 3", and $19.50 for the 4".

Great stuff as usual Marty! I think I will try my hand a  building a few of these! Thanks.

Looks good!  I built a similar fly rod case out of sch 40.  About the only difference was that I used a threaded clean out fitting on the end.  I like that sewer pipe idea though.  How wide do you think it would need to be for a recurve?  I'm guessing pretty big.  The 3" would work for my selfbows and Montana fine though.

I think the 4" will fit alot of recurves.  A 6" pipe is probably available, but would be big and heavy.  I don't have a recurve to test.  Hold it against a wall or work bench with the tips down and take some measurements.

Hey you stole my idea!!lol. Mine looks just like that but I used rope for my handel. Mine hold 3 mild R/D bows that are in bow socks. Great minds think alike...lol!

3K# crush will stop a lot of transit problems. Lighter means cheaper costs. Good info. Thanks

It looks great. If you wanted something a little lighter, you could use SDR35. It good stuff also, just a thinner wall. We use both on the new septic systems we put in.....Roy

I used 4" schedule 40 for mine. It is a little heavier but stronger too. Sealed the bottom with a cap but used a clean out on the top with a threaded cap. Placed a little foam in the bottom and in the cap. Works great in the back of the Ford truck and I don't have to worry about the safety of the Hills.

Danny

I have a similar one I made from 6" sched 40. A bit heavy, but I can fit 4 Hills in it at a time and not worry about stuff falling on top of it in the back of the truck.

Excellent!! Can you buy thise test plugs from a big box store like home depot or is it specialized to a plumbers supply house?

I bought all the supplies from my Lowes.

Looks like I'm off to Lowes! Thanks bro!

They can be about bullet proof if you are shipping a bow too.
I bought a bow from a guy in Long Island, and it came in a tube.  It was worth the money to ship it back to him empty for the peace of mind that the bow would be undamaged.

Thanks Apex! I need to make one my self.

I make a simpler one without a handle and two caps on the ends to ship all my longbows in.  I don't ask for them back, because they only cost about $8.  These pipes come in 10' lengths, so you can make a nice arrow case out of the end you cut off.

I'm going too make one this weekend, thanks Apex for all the info. thats cheap bow insurance!

Cool idea!  Think I'll make one for road trips  

Very good info apex,I was going to make one like that and still might. I found a fly rod case at Cabela's on close out for $5.oo! it was supposed to be 4" but when it came it was really 3" I can get my Martin Savannahs in it but its a tight fit! Really needs at least a 4" pipe. I thought about how to put on a handle when I made some and now I know!!! Thanks for the tips,also like the plug on the end.

Apex, funny you should mention the arrow case. I did that also, took the scrap tube and made a arrow case when I travel. Went to Ohio and Illinios this year and took 1 1/2 dozen arrows that were totaly protected.

Looks great! I did something similiar this summer for my St. Croix fishing rods and they work perfect. Cheap insurance!