cline4 (2/8/2010)Does anyone know where I can find some kind of plastic or rubber padding to put on my rod holders on my home made surf cart. I haven't welded the rod holders on yet and still have the option to go with 1 1/4 or 1 1/2" aluminum pipe at this time. I am talking about the little rubber cover that slips on top of the pipe to protect the reels from the abrasion of the bare aluminum.
All help is appreciated.....
Oh what I could tell you about this situation.
You will not be able to find those caps anywhere in small quantities. And then everyone of them is going to be different... ie, Different diameters , wall thicknesses, etc. I build stuff like this , and I ended up getting samples from 6 different companies before I found one that will work.
Now here is my less than elegant alternatives:
You can dip them in Hot Dip Vinyl. $13 a can at Rubber Specialties. There may be cheaper alternatives
You can use vinyl edging, like whats on fender wells. Cut the length you need, glue it on.
Silicone tape
Thin rubber tubing, put it in the hole, turn it out so it covers the outer diameter.
In my case, I wanted a professional solution, and so I found a rubber cap that works, but I had to buy $500 worth of them to meet their min quantity.
Mine will ONLY fit a 2" diameter, 1/8" thick tube.
I will say your tubing sounds on the small side. By the time you put a vinyl cap on it, you won't ever get your fishing rod in that 1 1/4" hole.
1.75 diameter is the minimum I would go with.
2" is what I went with, and is what I have caps for
Hope this helps