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Is there a cheap way to make some nice looking rod tubes. I see they have tube making kits at Golden Witch, but I don't want to pay that much. I am even thinking of sewing up my own rod sacks...to give you an idea of the budget I'm trying to work from (I also don't really know how to sew, but thats a question for another forum). Can I get aluminum tubes at my local Home Depot... a plumbing store maybe? I really would like them to be metal, as opposed to PVC. Anyone have any good suggestions?
GBF,
I sew my own rod socks from flannel, available at Hobby Lobby, Joanns or WalMart. Takes all of about 5 minutes, and all straight line sewing (in other words ... even you can do it!!) I also use PVC tubes from Home Depot. You can get caps to slip on, or ends that you glue on and have a screw on cap. They take alot of abuse, and the rods stay safe. Also can make a draw string sleeve to cover the PVC tube, if you don't like the white.
Betty
You won't find that kind of aluminum tube at Home Depot and buying a small quanity wold probably cost more than a finished product.
If your trying to save money, go with pvc.
You can find the right guaghe aluminum on EBay quite often, but you reall yave to look for it, but by the time you buy the aluminum, get the caps all sorted out and installed, you have as much invested in them as you would have to pay for a Landmark tube...you can find them fairly easily and readily for $19.95.
The Golden Witch tubes are top quality but man are they one heavy tube!! I have used them for some fairly expensive bamboo rods. If it's going to be an every day fisher, I would go the PVC route and don't even have to buy the heavy guage stuff to get a nice effective rod tube.
For socks, take a walk through the Wal-Mart fabric department and look at the clearance fabric. You can usually get enough to do 3 or 4 rods for $1.
For tubes, PVC is a good, inexpensive option, and you can always dress it up. Pick up some thin, colored cord (or white with some dye) and do a decorative wrap on the tube or even just do a solid wrap to match your rod's wraps. Or use Krylon fusion or any spraypaint over a good plastic primer.
I'm at the point now that I just look for tubes on clearance. It is hard to make tubes if you get a great deal somewhere.
Sierra Trading Post has some fly rod tubes available. One from Redington is only ten bucks...
That said, PVC from Home Depot works well for making custom stuff. Easy to cut, easy to find screw on caps, etc.
Why you want tubes? I hate tubes. I much prefer a rod case....ie that you can leave the reel on. Wal-Mart has them (SA) already done for $18.50. Troutlets.com has them under accessories from Crystal River for $19.60....with a padded reel section.
Gemrod
Gburg, Pull this place up. Stonecreekltd.com. I havent got any of these yet but plan on it
go to REC components (sponsor) and check their web specials - I've gotten several aluminum tubes from them, all under 20 bucks. Even full price they aren't overly expensive.