Homemade rod tree

[jth21usa]

Homemade rod tree

Has anyone tried to make one out of conduit? It seems pretty straight forward and much less expensive. Any ideas?

 

Judynuts

[Xxx]

I made one out of schedule 40 plastic and used the Scotty plastic rod Holders. I made steel plates with 6 holes 4 to hold the mounting plate to the base, then 2 in the middle, top and bottom to hold the base to the pipe and it won't spin on the pipe. I used a piece of exhaust pipe with a steel plate welded to it with 2 holes drilled to fasten it to boat and then the rod holder schedule 40 pipe slid over the pipe on the boat, then I drilled a hole through the hole mess and used a pin with a wire lock on it. I could adjust the holders as if the were mounted to the boat.

[LakerTaker]

Conduit is difficult to weld since it's usually galvanized via hot dip or electroplating, and has thin wall sections. It can be done, but you have to have the right wire (flux core MIG) combination. Don't breathe the fumes......I don't have experience welding conduit, but you can find the set-up information on many welding forums. I made 2 sets of 2" aluminum vertical trees with 3 Rod holders per side. Cut the pieces and angles I needed on a miter saw. The length of tubing cost just over $100. I use downrigger track-mount swivel bases and bought new end caps off of EBay.


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[jth21usa]

Did you weld the aluminum?

 

[Firechief48]

You can weld conduit easy enough. Mig is the easiest but old fashioned arc works also especially Sch40 due to the thickness. Biggest thing is like mentioned you want to ventilate good and don't breath the fumes. Also after you weld you want to paint over weld with cold galvanize or the welds will rust in no time. I worked at a fence company years back and made a few rocket launchers for boats this way. 

[LakerTaker]

Yes I had a friend weld the aluminum. (One set will be on his boat). I am confident welding steel but haven't even tried aluminum yet.


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[Firechief48]

Aluminum is touchy and different than steel but again with a Mig once you get the touch it welds quick and nice. 

[drag&snag1985]

Made mine nothing to special but they work great

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[jth21usa]

Aluminum?

 

[drag&snag1985]

Yes . I just order more 2 inch tubing two add another holder just above the lower holder

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[drag&snag1985]

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[drag&snag1985]

I have access to all the materials and a welder , I'm not sure if it would end up being cheaper buying material and paying someone to weld it up for u . I try to make as much stuff as I can to fit in my tracks

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[LakerTaker]

Nice job. Looks great. I have a friend who is a certified welder and he welds for free as long as I prep everything. Soon I will learn how to weld aluminum. I have access to CNC machines so I can make just about anything. It's a lot of fun. I mounted my Rod holders to an old set of track mount downrigger swivel bases.


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[drag&snag1985]

Perfect! . I work next door to a machine shop to comes in handy . I think most asscessories are way over priced , it's just a 3inch square block and set screws

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[piscataquis]

what angle do you set the holders at? 45 degree? 

[G-Daddy]

I made a rod tree from 080 wall aluminum tubing I got from McMaster-Carr. The unit is tig welded and sits in a 15 degree gunnel rod holder.

 

 

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