Yazoo poster mailing tubes are pretty sturdy. All different lengths and diameters.
https://store.yazoomills.com/custom-mailing-tubes/heavy-duty-kraft-tubes
Mailing tube for rollup chess boards
Sort:
Since you're in the US, you can find them at Staples.
You might also consider PVC pipe available at a box hardware store.
Mailing tubes are also available at any post office. I’ve used them for my roll up boards for years. If you want a high class version, Legend Products sells a plastic one: https://www.legendproduct.com/index.html
They also have these ones with the twist off caps. I like them because they're reusable. https://erdie.com/pages/twist-n-pull-mailing-and-shipping-tubes
search 'tube' here...
Chess Sets for Club & Tournament Play...
https://www.chess.com/blog/RussBell/chess-sets-for-club-tournament-play
Apr 18, 2022
0
#8
I've modified a Vasile & Pavel map case pattern to carry a roll-up board and pieces, so I can tell you with confidence that a 3" tube will NOT fit all your pieces if you're packing tournament size pieces and a vinyl or mousepad board (usually about 21"). 3.5" diameter seems to be about the smallest you can go, and it's tight.
If you go with PVC, know this: 4" will be the smallest size you can get that will fit a tournament set. Also be aware that the majority of 4" that you find will be DWV(drain/waste/vent) and will not be as durable as the sched40 pipe (made to handle pressure) you may be used to. If you stand or sit on a piece of 4" DWV, it may crack. (Maybe. Probably not but worth mentioning.) A piece of 4" sched40 won't crack but hoo-boy will it be spendy, the caps will shock you with how much they cost right now, and it will be hard to find in anything shorter than 10ft. DWV is almost always available as a 24" in any plumbing department. Also, if you go with PVC pleasepleaseplease WASH IT BEFORE YOU USE IT especially if you get it at a bigbox like Home Depot or Lowe's since they commonly don't check to see if returned PVC pipe has been used or not. Just... trust me on this.
A mailing tube will be cheaper and they're available in more sizes, which is why so many folks above have mentioned them. You sacrifice long-term durability, but unless you're a clumsy gorilla like me, that won't really be a problem.
I have this one, 64cm and it's extendable if needed. Big enough to put full size plastic pieces too.
They come in various sizes.
https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/tekenkoker-8cm-telescopisch-64-100cm/9200000026248808/?Referrer=ADVNLGOO002069-G-121634205728-S-1598433231558-9200000026248808&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvIz6t7ie9wIVEgMGAB2ong1GEAQYAiABEgKu9PD_BwE
Where can you purchase mailing tubes, preferably with capped ends, for 14 and 20-inch boards? (If diameter was large enough for pieces to fit inside, even better, but not vital.)