I just finished my first full-sized rod since deciding to take the plunge into rod-making. Now I have a question...I'm shipping this one and, given shipping costs, would like to use a thinner-walled pvc to ship it to my customer. Standard-issue pvc from "the big orange box" weighs so much, it's going to be prohibitive to ship it.

Any suggestions? It's a two-piece UL rod, so tube length shouldn't be more than 38". I've received shipments from sources in a couple different types of tube, but I can't seem to locate where to get them.


P.S. Thank you all for your willingness to share your hobby/profession with "the new guys!" I never would have had the guts to try this without the information and help.

-SN

IMO, the weight of the PVC pipe has very little bearing on the expense. Most times there is NO difference at all, simply due to "minimum weight" charges assessed due to length. I would never recommend shipping a finished rod in anything other than Schedule 40 PVC and with proper packing. Believe it or not, they actually even manage to break it sometimes ... so you can't only imagine what could happen to a less durable container.

ABS pipe is lighter yet just as rigid if not more so. But as Jim said, the charges are usually based on size and most lengths being oversized the weight isn't really factored into things.

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That ABS stuff aparantly isnt' available in NY. It's the stuff with te black spiral inside of the thin white outer shell, right?

I use the Tenite tubing available from US Plastics for backpacking rod tubes, they are much lighter than PVC. They have a large assortment of sizes and end caps. I'm guessing that the cost of the Tenite will far outweigh the cost savings in shipping, but the end user would probably be more likely to use the Tenite as an everyday rod tube.

Plastic gutter downspout works great with spinning rods and is thinner walled and lighter.

Take a look at the DRAIN tubes with out the holes. It is at Lowes and Home Depot.

Spencer is absolutely right.

Plastic gutter downspout is the way to go. WHY? because it is much lighter and has a square cross-section, which resist bending far more the a circular cross-section.


Rena

How do you feel about having to rebuild the Rod?

The lighter PVC would be Sch-21 or 26 which can be hard to find in some places. The box stores might have at least up to 11/4 size and that tractor store I have seen up to 2" all of which are 10' length. The plastic downspout sections are great for surf or boat rods with large or roller guides.

Plain ole PVC "SEWER PIPE". 1/2 the weight of PVC, yet still very strong, works like a charm and can be found about anywhere.

DR

The only thing is it is 4" ID.

Bill B,

The sewer comes in 3" as well....perfect for a spinning rod. I never have used the 4"....too big!

DR

i am a truckdriver! simply put: better safe than sorry. if i were to ship a rod i would indeed pack very carefully. get insurace! get insurance! some dock workers could care less about the materials they are moving. pallets do bumped up against each other to get them on the trailers. sometimes pallet boards come loose, get splintered and then get pushed up into whatever is in front of them (that was seen yesterday). i believe i would do a bit of research on what shipping companies to use/avoid.