Make my own tubes?

[Got Fish??]

Is it worth making your own tubes? If I want to invest in all the stuff I need. How much is it to get started? Where can I go to get all the things in need?

[MadWags]

I think it's illegal now to make your own tubes.
It was in the Healthcare Legislation.

[1javelin]

I think it's illegal now to make your own tubes.
It was in the Healthcare Legislation.

Yeah, right next to the add-on making it illegal to use any spray attractants as well!!!!!!!!!

1jav

[Hooksetter]

2 piece mold for hand pours...$144.00.
colorant...$6.65 per 4 oz. Figure 6-8 colors to start.
Glitter...$5.75 per 4 oz. Figure 6-8 colors in 2 or 3 sizes, not including string glitter, if you choose to use it also.
plastic...about $40.00 per gallon [ 5 gallons at Lurecraft is $100.00].
softtner/hardener...about $9.00 a pint.
tail cutter...about $30.00.
salt [if you like salt in your tubes] ...$6.50 a gallon.

Fyi, pouring tubes is an excercise in aggravation, imho.

Dipping is much easier!

These prices are very close, but not exact.

No shipping costs are included in the above pricing.

You could save some [maybe 1/3] of the cost of some of the above items by ordering smaller sizes, but some of the things there is no getting around.

If you want to dip instead of pour, you will need a Fry Daddy or a Presto Pot that will hold enough plastic to be 6" deep or so, plus dipping rods.
Pots are about $25.00.
Rods are about $24.00 at Lurecraft. I made some.

You will need a micro or a hotplate plus pyrex or an aluminum pot, plus various measuring spoons and cups, trays etc.

Catching bass on tubes you made yourself...Priceless! [Not really]. It's time consuming to make your own tubes.

Even if you use ALOT of tubes it is probably not worth it, imho. 

Willie

[McCarter]

i bought a tube companies supplies last year.  i still havnt had the time to mess with any of the stuff but here is what i have.

2 custom hot pots ( deep )

2 custom dipping pads, each with 32 dowels ( dip 32 tubes at a time )

1 Custom Dipping Post ( the dipping pads attatch to it ) that moves up and down and rotates 180 degrees.

1 Arbor Press

1 custom tail splitter which attatches to the arbor press

various colorants, glitters, salt, plastic, etc.

i dont know how interested you are in making your own tubes, but if you want to play around with it before making an investment, send me a pm and we will get you out the "the shop" and see how all this stuff works.

McCarter himself

[Got Fish??]

Sounds like quite a mess and vary time consuming.Thank you for offering your time McCarter, but I now think I will stick with extreme, lunch money and ISG tubs for now. You made up my mind for me.Good luck this season guys.