I have a couple rods I made that I am giving a family member that lives in another state. The rods are 7ft. Does anyone know where I can get tubes or boxes to fit these rods so I can ship them off? Also, is there other materials used instead of cardboard that you use? I don't want to pay a ton on shipping.

Home depot. PVC pipe. Just secure them in there with tape or stuff them so there is 0 movement.

thank you

Most home improvement stores will just give you the carpet roll inserts they use. most are 12' long and you can cut them to size. It's the same type of tube that tackle warehouse uses. I use either bubble wrap or pipe insulation and just place it over the whole rod. you can fit 2 rods pretty snug in one. Cost me 19.65 FedEX to ship one rod in an 8ft cardboard carpet tube today.