Anyone out there ever make their own leather rod tube? I want to. I know its not the cheapest option for rod tubes, but I think it would be fun. Just curious if anyone else has tried this. If you own a leather rod tube: Does it have something inside it (like an aluminum tube)? If it doesn’t, how comfortable are you with its protectivity? (yeah its a made up word, just run with it)
I have never attempted leatherwork, but know a fellow who dabbles in it. Check out his website for some ideas of fly fishing leatherwork. He lives in Wooster, Ohio.
http://www.turtlemoon.com/acord/acord.htm
Joe
GBurgFisher:
I do leatherwork and if you do a leather tube you WILL want an aluminum tube inside. The fabrication process isn’t difficult just time consuming. It is something that would require hand stitching in most cases which is hard if you’ve never done it before. If you want you could splice the leather and glue it with Barge Cement and eliminate most of the stitching except for the cap but stitching will last longer and be stronger.
Another issue is cost. You will have to buy a large piece of leather, possibly a whole side to get a piece large enough to cover a tube. You?ll also need a piece of aluminum tubing or an old rod tube. Most leather cases utilize a leather cap so you won’t use the original cap if you use an old rod tube for your liner. You will also need certain tools that you may or may not ever use again.
I heartily recommend taking a look at the books written by Al Stohlman like “Hand Sewing Leather” and ?Making Leather Cases? Volumes1-3. These books are great for learning case making techniques and what tools are needed.
You can also check out [url=http://www.tandyleather.com/:75326]Tandy Leather[/url:75326] or [url=http://www.zackwhite.com/:75326]Zack White[/url:75326] for supplies.
Good luck if you try it. I make lots of leather cases and pouches for fishing and they look and function great.
Dabbles in it! lol… I know Jimmy, one of the tops in the trade! Even have a piece of his. 
Found this on google.
http://www.yagersflies.com/leflyrodca.html
JC LOL , dabbles is as dabbles does. Good one.
I don’t like to promote Jimmy too much, especially with a one year waitng period for his works. Jimmy was a vendor at the first Northern Ohio Fly Tying Expo in January 2002, and booked so much work at that show that I haven’t had him back in the show as a vendor since. He still comes to the show each year to browse and say hello, but he’s “as busy as he wants to be” according to him. :lol: Great guy! I wondered if anyone else here knew of him.
Joe
I have a Hardy Smuggler with a leather tube. And yes, it has a metal tube inside.
my leather tube has a pvc tube in it.
I’ve known James Acord for a number of years. A great gentleman and a good friend – and such an artist. He made a rod case for me, definitely a thing of beauty.
We have a Wooster graduate here in NH – Fred Kretchman – who makes magnificent cane rods. For a small town they turn out some talent!
Best regards,
Reed
[url=http://www.overmywaders.com:8f9c2]overmywaders[/url:8f9c2]
[url=http://www.overmywaders.com/cblog:8f9c2][i]The Contemplative Angler /i[/url:8f9c2]
I’ve got a leather tube and it’s got an aluminum tube inside it.
Thanks for the advice folks, and the links. I think I’m going to give this a go somtime this winter. I’m not leatherworker per say…but I did (don’t laugh) teach leatherworking merit badge at scout camp a lifetime ago. Should at least remember the basics:)