Dear friends,

Some month s ago I received one spool of Prizm Hologram Thread. It's a thin metallic polyester tape (you cas see it here [shop.mudhole.com] ). The question is that I don't know how to use it. I vanted it to make narrow trims but I'm not sure it'll be suitable. Is there any way to use it without it to be "twisted"?.

Any other interesting use?.

Thank agai,


Daniel

Daniel,
It has NO strength and because it's so thin you have to much, much less tension in order to keep it from stretching, twisting and curling. It's only use / purpose is decoration.

Is it to be wrapped and tied as any other thread but with no tension?

Couple of 'choices' == yes you can try to wrap as any other "thread" - but it's probably easier to use Guebrod color preserver (or some fast drying glue ?superglue"?) to hold it in place rather than trying to pull the tag end back through under the overlaying "threads" - this stuff has a low coefficient of friction. That coupled with low tension = FRUSTRATION - at least for me.

Daniel-prizim is closer to ribbon then thread it will brighten up simple open wraps-chevrons by using just one or two strands lay them one at a time without applying tension or very little tension, the can if care is used as a single thread inlay-very bright and eye catching. It is even possible to weave with the stuff the key is using very little tension- using it as trim rings is very difficult as it will stretch very easily while pulling it under
John

I had already thought about using cyanoacrylate glue, but I didn't kow if it could damage the other threads or giving problems with epoxy finish. Is there any problem on using it for these purposes?.

Daniel,
I use it for trim all the time with no glue and without any problems. As the others have noted you can not pull very hard on it because it will stretch though. When I use it as trim I just wrap a couple of wraps of the thread that I am using over it and then wrap it and the other thread around the blank at the same time. When wrapping it and normal thread at the same time the lack of stretch in the normal thread will help prevent you from stretching the Prism tape. After wrapping it all of the way around the blank I just wrap a couple of more wraps of the thread that I am using over the top of the end and then trim off the end and continue with the rest of the guide wrap with the thread. It is a striking trim wrap when in direct sun light as it throws off all sorts of colors.
If you want to wrap a number of wraps of it I have found that it is easier to keep it aligned and keep it from overlapping, it is only a mil or two thick, by again wrapping it and another thread at the same time. This not only helps to prevent it from stretching but also helps to keep the wraps nice and even. If you use A thread in a color that matches the blank or color underneath you almost can not see that it was wrapped with another thread.
You also have to be a bit careful when packing the threads around it or the threads around it will slide up on top of it because it is so thin. Good Luck.

Daniel good hearing from you. I just finished a rod using gold holo Prizm with red and black thread. In fact, I got the color idea from a red and gold wrap you posted months ago. I really like to use the holo Prizm when I want to draw attention to the thread work. Everyone really seems to like the look of the Prizm thread under the glassy clear epoxy.

I have not had any problems wrapping with the Prizm metallic thread and have not had to use any type of glue to secure it. Of coarse I've mostly used in on simple guide wraps and on chevron and diamond wraps. You can wpap it snug without much of a problem but too much tention will stretch it out and ruin it. Since its so flat/thin, I ususally wrap over its self 2-3 times for a bolder, deeper prizm look. But on smaller wraps I might only wrap over its self once of twice for a smaller , thinner trimband. I also had no problems burmishing my wraps with Prizm thread on them. Its so flat and thin it seems to lie much lower than the thread, even size A thread.

I wrap it like many people wrap thier trim wraps. I cut a piece of Prizm thread the lenght needed, lay it in the wrap, wrap over it 4-5 times to secure its tag, wrap the Prizm thread where I want it, and then wrap over the other end to secure it. After that I cut off both tabs from the wrap with a razor blade as usual.

I think I have already sent nyou a few photos of the my last two rods that had Prizm thread on the guides and butt wrap. However, in case you didn't get them I'll send you another set of photos.

Rich Matranga
Folsom, California

When it first came out, I did a bunch of weaves with it, mostly initials but also several fish weaves. One thing I noticed was that after several years it faded on one rod I used a lot. I stopped using it mainly cause it was so wide the weaves were blocky looking to me. Really sparkled in the sunlight however and I got nice comments from fellow anglers.

Daniel, to avoid the twist you're referring to lay the prizm thread 20-30 degrees off parallel, and wrap in the same direction as the thread you're imbedding the prizm into. In other words, do not lay the prizm thread lengthwise to the blank like you would regular thread, but instead form a widely spaced spiral, and wrap over the first end to capture the thread, wrap a few turns, then bring out the prizm as you normally would a trim band. Finish off the trim band using similar a simlar angle and the prizm will not appear twisted at all.

Lou

I have used the prism thread a number of times now and like it. It is great for those trim wraps between the guide feet and isn't too hard to lay. I did a butt wrap a while back where I used random passes of different coloured prism thread to achieve an "opal" look. It looked fantastic in the sun. It has its uses but for me, smaller areas look better than larger areas wrapped in this tape.