I have been "dabbling" with building rods for nearly 40 years - started with a Herter's kit. However, it is never too late to look into something new. I would like to find a supplier for protective inserts for fishing rod racks made from wood. I have looked at teh internet until I am nearly crosseyed. Now is the time to yell for help.
Can anyone give me the name of a supplier where I can purchase the inserts. I wil lprobably need several sizes because I use everything from ultra-lite spinning to heavy casting to large catfish spinning rods.

I would also appreciate all ideas on building my own inserts and the name of material suppliers.

Rex,
When I make rod racks, I generally make wall mounted racks. It is a very simple process. I use a piece of oak trim board for the bottom board that fits flat on the floor. This is typically 1X2 stock. I use a fostner bit to drill flat bottom holes to hold the rod butt.
Then, at about waist height, I use another piece of oak trim that is screwed to the wall. This is typically 1/2 inch by 2 inch trim stock. Both of these boards are finished first before using them as rod holders.
IN the top board, I go to St. Croix Rods and buy their rod rack clips. These clips are about $1 each and use a simple 1/4 inch hole that is drilled into the board to hold the clip.

Drop the butt of the rod into the bottom board hole, bring the rod up to the top board and snap into the clip and you are done. I like to put these racks behind doors that are covered by the open door when the door is opened. Easy to store lots of rods nicely that are out of the way and easy to use.

Another option - if you are buiding free standing racks is to use simple felt strips. You can buy rolls of felt in various wideths. If using a rod holder with a stand a lone setup, you can use the felt strips, cut to the right lenght and then glued into the sections of the rod holder to protect the rod.

You can also pick up adhesive back foam rolls which adhere to the wearing surfaces of rod holders to protect the rods surface. Simply pull off the foam strip as long as needed, and adhere it to the rod rack in the area needing to protect the rod.

Good luck
Roger