Hello,
I'm looking for a source of woven graphite tubing to use as spacers for reelseats. I know Batson and Pac Bay make the A7&8 reelseats with graphite spacers but I'm hoping to make a spacer for either a Struble or REC reelseat. The diameters of their seats are different then the Batson spacers so I need to find somewhere that has or can make tubing in different sizes. I've seen pool cues and golf clubs with graphite shanks and have even seen kayak paddels with woven graphite handles so someone must make this stuff in different diameters. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Shawn

TEhre is a bunch of info in the Search feature here. Andy Dear posted some stuff, I believe Gerald McCasland did as well as a few others.

There are 3 diameters currently available for graphite/carbon fiber tubing from a few places, Angler's Workshop, Custom Tackle Supply, and Merrick all have them.

Hopkins & Holloway makes a graphite insert reelseat in dark blue, dark green, dark brown and black. Dimensionally it looks like they may fit the U1, D1, or U9 Strubles. Angler's Workshop has them. They carry REC and Struble also, so they can check for sure.

Here is a place that I have purchased tubing from in the past. They have several different sizes. Also to do more of a search, look for "carbon fiber tubing".

[www.macqc.com]

Thanks all. I ended up finding a place on the net that makes carbon tubes in custom diameters and no minimum. I e-mailed them for a quote, we'll see. Thanks, Shawn

What is the name of this place you found?

[www.carbonfibertubeshop.com] I found the info about custom tubes in their FAQ section.

If your into making you own stuff you can check out [www.solarcomposites.com] , they sell braided CF sleeves but you have to laminate it yourself which gives you the ability to customize the size or length you want. I use the braided sleeves as the top layer of the laminate to make handle parts and other stuff where looks count. I think there are some instructions on the website about laminating the braided sleeves and finishes. Either way it is super easy, you just have to make a couple of practice runs. You can also use fiber glass (FG) to build the thickness you want and just use the CF as the top layer, FG is much cheaper.
Roland