Looking for instructions on making leather rod tubes. Haven’t seen much on this subject in the literature (that I’m aware of). Anyone be of assistance and provide material sources? Much thanks
Making leather rod tubes is almost the same as making 14th-16th century hard leather quivers or leather armor. The leather is a thick grade De-haired leather and boiled in oil for hours (cannot remember of the type of oil used). This now scalding oil soaked leather is then stretched over a wooden, stone, or iron mold the inside diameter you want (this form is normally split in two or three parts tong and grove together or held together by blocks .) and baseball stitched together or over lapped and riveted and allowed to cure hard . Then the form is knocked out and the bottom is installed most times in a cap form made an a same manor… Seamless caps where made by stretching the leather over a form half and slowly hammering or pressing a second half over the leather and allowing it to dry and then trimming the excess. Also correct me if I’m wrong but leather rod tubes should be lined with an aluminum or other tube as the leather can be acidic.
I think your best bet would be to contact your local Tandy Leather Factory store, there is one in Syracuse. I woudl call and tell them what you are trying to do and then take the ride there with a rod tube and maybe a picture and have them set you up. The guys at my local Tandy are extremely helpful and I’ve heard that all the stores are like that.
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Tandy Leather #128 - SYRACUSE-128
Manager: Robyn Ferris
syracuse@tandyleather.com
4726 S. Salina St.
Syracuse, NY 13205
USA
Phone: 315-492-2225