Has anyone out there made rod tubes from PVC pipe? I made a couple of them over the weekend by using the PVC primer, then PVC cement to attach an end cap on one end. The other end will be the same type of cap but, obviously, not glued. I like the way they turned out but my question is this…The odor from that PVC cement is very strong inside the tube. How long before that odor goes away and/or is the odor harmful to a rod inside the tube? I’ve left the caps off so they can air out but the smell is still there. Any ideas???
I made many. It’ll say on the can of pvc glue how long the dry time is. Not long. Then put your rod in and forget about it. I may have waited about a half hour or so. The glue smell may get ya high but it won’t the rod. Won’t harm it in any way. And there ya are.
I agree with Softhackler, should have been dry and usable in half an our or less. One thing I have done with my tubes is drill a few air holes in the caps that way if there is some water on the rod when you put it away it can dry our and not mold or mildew the sock or cork. it would also allow the smell to get out.
Thanks Softhackler and Eric!
The cement is definitely dry but the odor remains. I’ll just continue to let it air out for awhile. My biggest fear is that if my rod gets too “loaded” on glue fumes it may not be in any condition to catch fish!!! Thanks guys!
too get the smell out of it there are 2 things to do. Either take it outside on a nice warm day and let it set out there for about 2 hours. You can also take and get some cedar chips and put them in the tube for a couple of days. take the cap off and the smell should be gone.
You might consider getting a screw-on cap on the other end. Occasionally those caps can get pretty tough to take off if they’re just the slide-on variety.
To get rid of the smell just add a 1/2 cup of white vinegar and cover the end. Shake the tube from time to time and in about a half hour to an hour the smell will be gone. After that just rinse with water. You can poor the vinegar on weeds as an eco alternative to weed killer.
the screw on caps are tapered to provide a water tiet seal, it is water pipe you know. Over time they will loosen up a bit and are easier to take off and on, I have made many rod tube form pvc useing the screw on cap.
Ghost
I drill holes down the sides of mine. that way the rod doesn’t get too hot inside in the car, as well as the fact that it lightens the tube a bit. Screw on caps, definately. A little silicone spray does wonders on the threads, until they wear in a little.
When I built my PVC rod case I put a cap on each end; one glued in place the other held in place with a “set screw.” I drilled the cap in place and threaded through the side and into the pipe. Very reliable so far and I can remove the 1/4" machine screw with a dime or penny most of the time. I put a pipe of polyurethane upholstery foam in each cap for a little cushioning when the rod slides back and forward in transit.
I put a rope handle near the center for each of transport at the airport with the baggage.
I made a PVC tube Monday, I used the Universal Cement sparely, twisted the pieces on the tube until I could twist no more and left it in the cab of my truck for two days and have no smell at all.
The cab of my truck smells like the chain saw that happens to be sitting in the floor board, haven’t driven it since Saturday when I cut and hauled a load of Pecan wood to BBQ with. I put it in the truck because my wife can’t stand the smell of the cement. I brought the tube into the house and let her do a sniff test and she couldn’t smell anything.
I actually like the slide on caps and I don’t glue them…because, with a little bee’s wax, my multi purpose PVC rod tube functions as a terrific didgeridoo when I get bored. :rolleyes: Screw tops would probably work too.
