DIY Rod Tube Success

Divad

Divad

Whitefish
Whipped up a couple rod tubes from ABS after repurposing a 2in pipe I got from a coworker. These are much stronger than the typical ones received with rods and stronger than the aluminum I was planning to use. Also very economically priced compared to aluminum and will float while being waterproof.

I used 2in ID ABS but you might be able to get by with 1.5in if you don’t have a size 16 stripper. One “clean out” plug ($6) and cap ($9) per tube with some foam inside both for cushion. Added a couple stainless d rings incase I want a strap.

Next will be a quick spray paint job to make finding easy if ever lost.
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I tried this once, and found that the tubes were very "heavy," at least as compared to the aluminum tubes. How "heavy" are these tubes?
 
I made larger diameter tubes out of the same material in different lengths to store all of my gear rods when not in use. I don't put foam in them but that is a great idea. My gear rods in those tubes survived my last military move intact where other rods not in tubes did not.
You could probably paste a bright colored tape around the rod holder instead of spraying and still be able to see it.
I now use bright tape on my pliers for unhooking winter steelhead after not being able to find a pair I set down on dark colored cobble.
 
Grandpa Jim said:
after not being able to find a pair I set down on dark colored cobble.
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Took my prescription polarized tortoise shell ray bans off in a shady spot to detangle and change flies Wednesday. About a half hour later I realized I didn't have them on when I got back into the sun (I see pretty good without my specs). Retraced my steps back to the rig, didn't find them, and covered all the ground again finding them about 1/3 of the way back from my turn around spot. I'd looked there twice before. You're smart to make that stuff bright.
 
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Bonefish Jack said:
I tried this once, and found that the tubes were very "heavy," at least as compared to the aluminum tubes. How "heavy" are these tubes?
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- My 2” OD/.065 wall aluminum rod tube @ 28” is 1lb 7oz.
- The 2” ID ABS rod tube @ 30” is 1lb 5oz.
- Thin plastic nylon wrapped plastic tubes that come with rods 2” OD @ 28” is 1lb 3oz.

The ABS has a collapse pressure of 400psi which is enough to support being ran over by a semi. I can’t find the collapse pressure of 6061 w/ .065 wall. The rod tubes from manufactures are adequate but very weak compared to ABS.

Cost to make an aluminum rod tube: $60+ with about $20 of the cost being the threaded “fuel” cap. Cost to make an abs rod tube: $15-20 and can source everything from local hardware store.
 
Tom Butler said:
Took my prescription polarized tortoise shell ray bans off in a shady spot to detangle and change flies Wednesday. About a half hour later I realized I didn't have them on when I got back into the sun (I see pretty good without my specs). Retraced my steps back to the rig, didn't find them, and covered all the ground again finding them about 1/3 of the way back from my turn around spot. I'd looked there twice before. You're smart to make that stuff bright.
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I strongly recommend a sunglass strap! I have them on all my sunglasses. Slip over the ends and you can hang them from your neck when not inuse from the chest or backside. Don’t get the stiff wire type ones.
 
Divad said:
I strongly recommend a sunglass strap! I have them on all my sunglasses. Slip over the ends and you can hang them from your neck when not inuse from the chest or backside. Don’t get the stiff wire type ones.
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Thx, I'll be looking around. Never happened before but lesson learned. I should be picking up my new regular glasses soon, so I'll see what the optometrist has.
Great work on the rod tube, looks super.
 
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Only thing i have against ABS is the black heat absorbing color. I’ve used pvc, white doesn’t get so hot inside. Neither likes paint much, stickers or reflective safety tape works good,
 
for less combat level strength, drafting tubes work well, this one $13 at Amazon, keep a coupla switch rods in it for coast runs when the Kings are in
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If you spray paint them, leave the end caps unpainted. They're what will get beat up and the paint will show it.

Nice job!
 
BriGuy said:
If you spray paint them, leave the end caps unpainted. They're what will get beat up and the paint will show it.

Nice job!
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That’s exactly what I did too, good deal 😎 I scuffed with 400, alcohol, then used plastic adhesion promoter. Base layer of white primer and now going to paint a bright red or as Rustoleum calls it “Strawberry Fields”. Then maybe a quick clear coat.
 
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Divad said:
Whipped up a couple rod tubes from ABS after repurposing a 2in pipe I got from a coworker. These are much stronger than the typical ones received with rods and stronger than the aluminum I was planning to use. Also very economically priced compared to aluminum and will float while being waterproof.

I used 2in ID ABS but you might be able to get by with 1.5in if you don’t have a size 16 stripper. One “clean out” plug ($6) and cap ($9) per tube with some foam inside both for cushion. Added a couple stainless d rings incase I want a strap.

Next will be a quick spray paint job to make finding easy if ever lost.
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View attachment 116412
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Nicely done!
 
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