cannot seem to get nice clean edge. can I use masking tape? if so what kind and how long do I leave before taking it off?

If you can up the RPM of the machine that will give you better edges Faster is some times better 40 - 50 RPM

Bill - willierods.com

Masking tape tends to draw or wick finish into and under itself.

............

The way we do it.
1) Load the brush with finish
2) With the rod rotating at a pretty fast clip as mentioned touch the brush to the middle of the wrap
3) apply pressure without moving the brush and you should see a "ball" of finish appear on each side of the brush
4) hold the pressure and "push" the "ball" toward the edge of the wrap (still turning fast)
5) the "ball" will work off the end of the thread and onto the blank. If your RPMs are right it will form a perfect edge.
6) without changing pressure on the brush move it back where it came from in the center of the wrap.
7) slowly reduce the pressure on the brush and move finish around until all is smooth and level
8) NEVER touch that edge again. Don't go near it. No touch ups allowed.

Experiment.

Jim,

What about up around the guide ring?

You can also try a hand rest any short piece of blank will work Just to steady your hand

Bill - willierods.com

200 rpms and a moveable hand rest, perfect everytime.

Pat Barnard

A sharply folded paper towel, wet but not dripping wet with denatured alcohol held partially wrapped around the blank and then slid into position also results in beautifully sharp edges.

At least that's what I've found easiest for me.

No tape as Tom says.
I like to end my finish on the thread and not on the blank. I use a medium head round ball stylus to do this whils I rotate by hand.
If a customer wants finish to overlap onto blank I use the same stylus but touch the blank and last thread wrab at same time while rotating by hand.
To remove finish and create a straight line I use unwaxed dental floss. To do under the guides I use the dental wax with a dental wax threader.
Herb

If you don't go onto the blank just a little you risk water getting under the threads

Bill - willierods.com

Excuse me for my ignorance Herb, but r you talking a ball point pen? Can you explain how you finish an edge with a piece of floss? thanks

Bill C,
No not a ball point pen. A ball stylus see link [www.etsy.com]

Re floss: if I do get some finish on the blank - I remove it with un-waxed dental floss by rotating the blank while holding the floss tight to the wraps. Sometimes I apply DNA to the floss to better remove finish. If I want finish on the blank but it is ragged I hold the floss against the blank while it rotates - but away from the wraps to even out the finish. I find it better than a coffee filter which will often deposit small paper filaments.

Bill B,
I have never had issues with water. Of course I only use titanium frames. But if I had water seeping under wraps there would be some sort of discoloration. maybe it is because I only build fly rods and they flex differently than conventional rods and the fly guides probably flex with the blank more. At any rate it is not an issue for me.
Herb

Ti guides will get expensive on freshwater rods No need and a wast of money IMHO

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
I only build saltwater fly rods - need Ti
Herb