I picked up my tape from Home Depot! They have traditional electrical tape (a display with an assortment of colors), but at the bottom was a “fabric” type electrical tape. It resembles gaffer tape, and does the trick!
You might not have to glue the rods together either; if you get then from MCR, they come tapped. While you’re at Home Depot, pick up a set screw and screw them together!
I have minimal input on glues or welding...