Hi guys. I though I'd put together a quick "how-to" on my PVC rod racks. These are great for people looking for custom spacing as you can make them to your own dimensions. They are also great outdoor organizers for pre fishing trip management and post trip clean-up. They are quick, cheap and easy to make.
First, the raw materials. I use 1.5 inch inside diameter pvc pipe. For every rack, you need 4 90 degree pieces for the ends. Each rod you plan to store will stand in the central opening of a three way connector. So you need as many three way connectors as fishing rods you plan to store. As you will see, you will be making a two row rod holder so there will be an even number of three way connectors. For this exercise, I'm making a 10 rod holder, so I have 10 3-way connectors. You also need PVC glue. I'm using Oatey's primer and glue that comes in a two pack with built in applicators.
First we make up the sub-assemblies. For this rack, I first cut eight 6 inch sections of PVC pipe. These eight pieces will serve as the spacers between the three way connectors. Just mark the PVC pipe every six inches and then cut at the mark. I'm using a table saw for cutting the pipe. This saw belonged to my dad until he died and I remember him using it back when I was a kid. Note the safety markings on the power switch! :D
I chamfered the ends, but it really isn't necessary. I also primed the pipe before I applied the glue, but remember, these unions do not need to be water tight. The glue alone would probably be fine. Here you see all the spacers primed. I also prime the inside of the three way connectors.
Next we connect the three way connectors to each other with the spacers. Coat the end of a spacer piece with glue and insert it into a three way with a slight twist. The first one is simple. When you connect to the second three way, you want them to be aligned. I stick on the next three way, then lay them on the floor and stand on them so that both three ways are leveled by my weight and the concrete floor.
Now repeat the process and we have two rails completed.
Now we need to make the end pieces. This is where the four 90 degree bend pieces come in. You need to decide how much space you want between the two rows. For this rack, I cut two 9 inch connectors to serve as spacers between the two 90s and thus, the two rows. I then cut four 4 inch connectors that will tie the end caps to the two rows. First, glue up the two 90s to the 9 inch spacer and then repeat for the other end.
Next, you glue in the two 4 inch spacers into the open end of the 90s and they are ready to be inserted. At this point, I also cut ten 5 inch lengths of pipe to extend the top opening of the three way to create the length I want in order to receive and hold the rods straight. All these spacers and primed, glued and installed.
At this point, you have four sub-assemblies. Two rows and two end caps.
Now put the sub assemblies together. Glue and insert one side of one end cap into one of the rails. Make sure the end cap is flat on the floor and the rod receivers are 90 degrees to the end cap. Now apply glue to the other side of the end cap and insert it into the second rail. Again, make sure the second rail is 90 degrees to the floor. Ok, one end cap is on.
Then move to the other end of the two rails. Apply glue to both sides of the second end cap and insert both sides into the two rails at the same time. Very quickly make sure the rails and end caps are all flat on the floor. I stand on mine quite a bit during the entire process.
That's about it. You can drill a few holes in the bottom in you like to let water drain out. Good luck.
Bill
I like it!
I'm putting 1 on the back of my yak and a modified one on the ceiling of the garage.
Ron
That's awesome. I think I will have to make a few.
Neat idea and very nice tutorial.
I have them in my shop.
They look great and would look better on the back of my pickup truck just kidding btw they sell clear pvc primer so you don't have all them purple stains. looks like my next project
Thanks guys. Yeah jg125, I wasn't too careful with the primer on this rack. She will spend most of her life outside so I wasn't too concerned about appearance and I had to get this done before dinner. ;D I spent some time cleaning up and clarifying the text. I hope some of you find this useful. I'm just glad to add something to this great site.
Quote from: Bryan Young on March 29, 2014, 11:26:37 PM
That's awesome. I'm thinking of making a 4 roll one soon.
Yup. Just drill and install the wheels in the 90 degree corner pieces before you glue it up. Don't make it too long. It will bow in the middle if your rods are heavy.
If your rods are heavy you can use two tees and another short piece of pipe to make a center brace. That gives loads of support.
Good topic, always usefull, low cost, and a great way to store your rods......good job with the post too......now go fishing....gst.
sweet... ;)
That's like Legos with power tools.....great idea.....thanks brother
Legos with power tools, gotta remember that one. 8)
Ron
Quote from: TARFU on April 03, 2014, 01:21:24 AM
That's like Legos with power tools.....great idea.....thanks brother
So funny. That's what I tried to tell my grandson.
I was going to build this but found some file crates at Lowes for $2.99/apiece. Bought a 10 ft 1-1/2 pvc for $5.50, cut into 10 in sections, drilled and zip tied. Got 10 in on crates. Nice thing is I can take a crate to go fishing and have the rod holder. If you can find some of the sturdier milk crate it would be better.
I had about 300 - 400 old rods -- just in groups of bundles.
And they were constantly in the way and subject to becoming damaged.
So we had an old 80 year old barn that I added an upstairs to, installed three doors, framed in each garage interior with load bearing walls. I use this as a woodworking & machine shop, with 5 separate connected rooms -- including an extra reel shop separate from the one upstairs in our house. It has its own electrical sub-panel with plenty of quad 20 amp outlets & 240V. Added lights, insulation, interior paneling, concrete, etc.
Then I added an upstairs with an 800 SF loft and staircase
But I still had the rods in bundles -- just a mess.
Came up with this solution similar to Bill's -- holds 340 rods using 1 1/2" Schedule 40 PVC. It is not portable like Bill's -- but it works to store a lot of rods.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1871_zps1370d184.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1871_zps1370d184.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1870_zps23e9c83f.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1870_zps23e9c83f.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1867_zpseec5df08.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1867_zpseec5df08.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1866_zps02dd3942.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1866_zps02dd3942.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1860_zps24ff194b.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1860_zps24ff194b.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1859_zps4c95394c.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1859_zps4c95394c.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1857_zps8791cfbd.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1857_zps8791cfbd.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1845_zps643d515c.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1845_zps643d515c.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1834_zps7ac5a833.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1834_zps7ac5a833.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1831_zpsde34ac0a.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1831_zpsde34ac0a.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1830_zpsa9f10158.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1830_zpsa9f10158.jpg.html)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx130/foakes1/100_1814_zpsfbb0c840.jpg) (http://s748.photobucket.com/user/foakes1/media/100_1814_zpsfbb0c840.jpg.html)
Wow, I want your barn Fred.
Awesome Fred! Thanks for sharing that! ;D
Card catalog drawers probably convert to get great small parts bins, nice reuse.
Now that's a lot of rods!!!!
i need a barn....... :-\
A friend of mine and I just split up a Remington Rand card borough. I got 25 drawers out of it and most will be filled with reel parts.They work great and are as durable as it gets.
Ronald
There are enough rods on the racks to equip a small army :) .
This thread needs to be stickied!
My wife said I had to much fishing stuff, I showed her these pictures and she said "never mind"!!! Love you.
Ron
Here's part of my rods in their "racks". the rest are scattered all over.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/IGFA19Keta/DSCN1429_zps2bc0cd9c.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/IGFA19Keta/media/DSCN1429_zps2bc0cd9c.jpg.html)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g104/IGFA19Keta/DSCN1430_zpsfa6bf649.jpg) (http://s54.photobucket.com/user/IGFA19Keta/media/DSCN1430_zpsfa6bf649.jpg.html)