Thinking of making my own rod covers like the Stik Jackets, Rod Gloves, Rod Cover Ups, Rod Sox, etc. Does anyone know if the material is nylon, polyethylene, plastic or what? Or, does it even matter? Can it be cut with a knife, scissors? What about that flare at the bottom, is it a matter of heating and stretching or just stretching? What would be a good source for the tubular webbing material. I realize it'll be mostly trial and error but if anyone has tried this, please let me know what I'm in for. Getting a lot of requests for them and don't always have them on hand. Thought it'd be a good added touch to be able to "whip" one out whenever a customer wants one.

There's almost no doubt you can obtain this material and either heat seal or grommet fasten the ends to make them as you need them. But I don't know where to tell you to look. Hopefully somebody else can, and will.

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I looked into this in the past and found you can buy them already made for about the same cost as the materials

This guy sells for $5.75 ea. www.scottsrodsleeves.com

The cheapest I found the material without buying it by the ton was $1 per foot



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/2013 06:57PM by Don Ahart.

I would think the advantage to making your own would be the quick and easy ability to make whatever length you want at the drop of a hat. Buying them pre-made requires you to keep enough sizes in stock to fill any immediate need. I don't doubt for a minute, of course, that you can buy them for not much more, if not the same or less, than you can make your own for.

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If it helps the product is called "expandable braided sleeving"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/2013 07:23PM by Don Ahart.

Polyester Expandable (Braided) Monofilament Sleeving
I used 3/4" for all my boat striper rods for a nice tight fit so I could get them in the locker neatly. Mine looks like it will expand at least twice or more what the stated size is. If you have a few friends to split it with you then these guys have a great price on a bulk spool. [www.cabletiesplus.com]

I just used a soldering iron to cut and seal the ends and shrink wrap and heat gun to bind them for the flared end just turn the tube inside out for a few inches and strecth it a little. It did not take long to make up a dozen. If you buy in bulk the materials will be about $2 per sleeve and you can make any length sleeve you need

Thanks John. I've found the stuff for about 37 cents a foot in 3/4" and almost 50 cents a foot in 1 1/4". Found a supplier that also supplys alot of the professional makers of rod covers. Thanks also for the tips on flaring and cutting, was wondering how that was done. I've also found they use the 3/4 on micro guide rods and the 1 1/4 on normal casting rods. I'd have to go with the 2" on spinning rods and it is around 80 cents a foot. So, for casting at least, it may be worth my while. Thanks again for the help, all.