I have been having trouble getting micro guide wraps started. On the past few builds I have started above the guide and wrapped down then slid the guide under a thread and continued the rest of the foot or use cable ties to hold it in place and wrapped like normal. Only problem was the cable ties scratched the blank. Also wrapping in front of the guide stiffened the tip section and did not look very good. Any tricks or tips how to do this? Maybe an easier way to hold them in place or prep the feet?
Thanks,
Ben Eipert

Ben,
Very easy.
Use elastic orthodontic fasteners and bands. Just slip the number of bands on the rods, plus a couple, before the first guide is placed on the blank. Then, just slide the band down to the spot necessary and slip the guide under the band. Wrap with about 4 wraps on the guide, and then use a sharp nosed small side cutter to nip the band and cut it off the blank. No scratches, easy to move the guide up, down and all around for alignment before wrapping and easy to cut off and release when needed.

I have picked up bands of all sizes from the internet and keep them on hand for easy guide wrapping. Many times easier than any sort of tie that you tie in place after getting on the rod, and they take up next to no thickness on the guide for maximum thread wraps before cutting off for the final locking wraps.

The larger sizes are called orthodontic bands, and the smaller sizes are called orthodontic fasteners.

[www.amazon.com]

[www.amazon.com]

[www.tedpella.com]

You could use a razor or scalpel to cut the band, but the side cutter insures that a cutting blade does not touch the blank and cause a possible scratch.

Good luck

It also helps if you give each foot a quick sand with 320 paper This gives the foot a roughness for the thread to grab onto and helps it not slid off the foot

Bill - willierods.com

Try the low-temperature hot melt glue sticks which are available at craft stores.
Flick your Bic, heat the foot, warm the glue, wipe glue and foot together and apply foot to the blank.
Don't over-do the amount of glue...
I use an alligator clip to handle the guide, but it can be done by hand too.

I like the hot glue idea. I have tried the rubber band thing and did not have much luck. Thanks for the help so far!

Ben,
If you have correctly fitting bands for the rod, there will be no issue to use the bands to hold the guides in place.

I dislike using any adhesive on the blank due to any potential residue left on the blank.
Be safe

After wrapping so many guides you will learn what works - for you - the learning curve

Bill - willierods.com

I too like the hot glue for guides it is differant than the tip top glue stick as after you are done the wrap you can still move the guide around.flex coat makes it

Just set the guides onto a magbass rod today, and using surgical tubing, about 1/8 in O.D., the little sections I cut off the tubing went over the tiptop with a little finesse, and worked well for all but the first guide from the butt. The O. D. of the blank stretched them too much and they broke. But flexible thread came to the rescue for that one guide. One tie onto the blank for each foot.

I know micros can be hard to handle, but the surgical tubing really does work well. Also, Bill's recommendation to scuff the feet of the guide will allow the thread to climb the foot well. I don't recommend sanding the full foot since you want the thread to slide after you get it started onto the foot.

I use surgical tubing of various sizes to match the taper of the rod. I got in the habit of using 2 bands per micro. One on the foot and one in front of the guide. This keeps the guide from slipping up the rod. Plus if you cut the band and have a problem, you have another band to start over with.

you can also cut a rubber band and tie it on to the blank as well if you don't have any dental bands. It's also a trick if you need a band between guides already attached or on a repair.

I ended up going with the glue method as it is what I could get a hold of easiest. It worked great. Thanks for the help everyone!

the only problem you can't move them to aline them after wraping if you use hot glue , as it takes me a long time to line them up , try rubber bands thin ones, strech an wrap around the rod 2 or 3 times tie it off an clip leave a pigtall about 1 inch long , this will help to pick up part of the wrap to install the foot under it all methods above will work for you , it is just what you have on hand to work with ,
I think SID

William Sidney
AK

Guide Glue ( I use Fuji Glue in red stick) let you to move guide after wrapping.
You just need to use very little Glue, Heat the foot, make one passe on the stick, heat again briefly and put it in place, you're done.

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Eric
[www.emfishing.fr]

There is a learning curve but I get a bag of thin rubber bands from the drug store cut to size Tie onto the blank several inches above where the guide will rest Two knots trim ends Roll down the blank

Like said there is a ( learning curve ) on doing this But if I neen more or one breaks I just tie on another

Bill - willierods.com

Try using bread ties...

Robin,
The problem with bread ties, is that there is a chance that they may scratch the blank, if the bare wire becomes exposed. Also, there is no stretch and clamping pressure on the bread ties.

Hence, my preference for the elastic Ortho O rings. Simple, easy to use, no knots no marks on the blank, and no glue residue if using guide cement.

Take care