Homemade Rod Tubes

[TyeeMatt]

I wanted to make a few rod tubes for when I'm fishing with my bike, traveling, or generally want a case around my rods so I don't worry about the guides getting misaligned in transit. I'm going to use ABS pipe because I prefer that over white PVC piping. Is there any issues I should anticipate as far as having the piping material in extreme, hot or cold temps? I know PVC gets brittle in extreme cold, but can't find any info on ABS. I was going to just use ABS glue for securing on end cap and am worried about the fumes affecting rod epoxy. Will the glue, when heated, release fumes even after it's been dried completely? Should I worry about the black rod tube getting too hot on long bike rides in the sun? Has anyone made a rod tube that they attach to a bike, take backpacking, have left exposed to hot sun on a boat for extended periods of time that has proved tough and not ruined a rod? I'm also still trying figure out a liner material for inside the tube, but don't want something that will mold or otherwise get funky if a rod with some residual water on it is stashed in it for a period of time. Any advice or pictures would be appreciated.

[Jerry H]

Check out this site it talks about some of the hazards of the glue that you are asking about. Also Google DIY abs fishing rod tubes. Their are several sites on how to and the potential hazards to some types of rods.

http://rodbuilding.org/read.php?2,46816" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bodofish]

You could probably pick up some thin wall abs (or pet or other.) tube from Tap Plastics. Pipe is heavy and that kind of strength is not normally needed. No need to worry about glue unless you glue and go. Most of the glues will be finished out gassing in less than 48 hr. No need to use a whole can on it...........

[MarkFromSea]

there's some thin walled waste pipe, septic, at home depot, light and cheap... no need for a pressure rating. might take a gander at the gray plastic conduit in the electrical section as well... I'd like that color the best...

[Bodofish]

there's some thin walled waste pipe, septic, at home depot, light and cheap... no need for a pressure rating. might take a gander at the gray plastic conduit in the electrical section as well... I'd like that color the best...

All the thin wall stuff I saw at the HW store was corrugated, so it probably wouldn't work too well. Now the under sink plumbing pieces are about the right wall thickness but not too long....

[bob johansen]

If you have any left over rod shipping tubes like those from Bass Pro shops, they make good rod tubes. I have made many of them.

[TyeeMatt]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I picked up some 3" ABS from Home Depot and made one tube for one of my 3-piece centerpin rods. I padded the ends with a bit of foam that I attached with a spray-on adhesive. After finishing it up I realized that it was super heavy and should serve well for air travel, but not practical for throwing on my bike rack or even really bringing along on a float. Ferguson's here in Seattle has 2.5" ABS that I may look into, as the 3" will be too wide and heavy for my shorter rods. They don't have threaded fittings for that size, only caps, but I'm going to try and make it work as that's the perfect diameter (2" was too thin and wouldn't allow the rods to fit with the guides). After I check out Ferguson's I'll post some pics of the final products. I like the idea of getting a thinner wall pipe with a lower pressure rating and am gonna bring a couple rods down there to see what might work diameter-wise and will cut the weight down. No matter what these will be cheaper than some of the tubes I've seen for sale and I can customize them to fit all my rods that I'll be biking with perfectly.