Working on another rod and getting frustrated. I'm putting an inlay on each guide wrap (two per guide, as they're double-footed guides) and am having trouble hiding the cut off end at the beginning of the inlay. I've watched this video, and i can usually do this with nylon thread.

[www.youtube.com]

I'm using a metallic as the inlay, though, and the extra "bite" is making it nearly impossible to pull the inlay thread enough to hide the cut end without pulling it all the way out.If i add more securing wraps, there's way too much tension to pull the inlay through. A couple of securing wraps aren't enough. Is there a way to make this easier? If i slack off on the tension on the thread, it seems the wraps will be too loose to hold.

Help?!?

Try this technique. No pull thru / under for the tag.

[www.youtube.com]

Thank you Donald!!! I'm embarrassed to confess I'd already seen this clip but completely missed the difference in technique. Went right out to my rod room and tried it. Incredibly quick and simple. I still had five guides to go (total to ten inlays) plus the tip top, and I was dreading every one of them. This is amazing.

There are a number of different ways to do a single thread inlay. I hope I can explain the way I do it without confusing you. Start your wrap and when you get to the point where you want your inlay slip a cut piece of your trim thread under the wrap thread with the short end facing toward the guide (toward the direction you are wrapping) and the long end facing in the opposite direction.This trim piece will be held in place by the tension on the wrap thread. Wrap the long end of the trim thread by hand around the blank between the wrapping thread and the end of your wrap a little more than one revolution without spinning the blank. Advance the wrapping thread slightly and slide the long end under the wrapping thread. Both ends of the trim thread are now facing the same direction. Line up these two ends pull tight and wrap over them for a few turns, trim them, and finish wrapping. If you want to do another inlay, then just trim the short end and wrap over the long end till you get the point where you want your next inlay. You can now do your other inlay as shown in the video. I can do this quickly, almost without thinking, and never have to worry about nubs. Hope this helps and is understandable.
Norm

Norman, your description is the same way I do it. I think it's not only easier than the method shown in the linked video, but also results in a better looking inlay.

Of course everyone has their preferred method. The description of you method just happens to be my preferred method.

Norman, thank you. I think i understand, but help me out. What you're describing sounds to my noob ears like a single turn inlay. How would you do a longer one, like the three turns i'm using on this rod, just keep wrapping the two threads together before you tuck the inlay thread underneath? That it?

The video you posted had a single thread inlay so that is what I tried to explain. You can wrap both threads together for a many times you wiish before tucking underneath the wrapping thread. To make a wider trim wrap, Just make as many turns that you want over the wrapping tread without moving the blank, then tuck the trim thread under the wrapping thread and finish wrapping. If you want another inlay just keep the long trim piece in place wrap over it and repeat. Hope this helps.
Norm

Kevin, as I'm pretty certain I do it the way Norman described, maybe I can help with the explanation as well.

You're not wrapping both threads at the same time like shown in the video. When you start your inlay, you stop turning the rod, and wrap the inlay thread around the blank by hand. You're actually wrapping the inlay thread over the main wrap thread.

Personally when I stop turning the rod, I bring the main wrap thread off at a slight angle so it creates a small gap. I do as many wraps with the inlay thread as I want, then tuck it's end back under the main wrap thread, and do a couple of wraps over it before stopping to pack it all together with a burnishing tool before continuing the wrap, and trimming its tag end.

Hope that makes sense, as it can read confusing coming from someone that's done it. And Norman, hope I didn't step on your toes.

Thanks David for making my explanation clearer. These things become so routine I sometimes forget to mention some important details such as angling the wrapping thread away and then packing everything together. In addition, start and finish your trims at the same point so everything is lined up evenly. This is an easy method to master and gives a very nice inlay with no nubs.
Norm

Wrong Info



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/23/2016 09:08PM by Barry Thomas Sr.

No problem Norman, as you pointed out, it's understandable to leave something out of a description that you find routine. Case in point, I didn't mention starting and ending the inlay wrap at the same plane on the rod blank.

And it is an easy method that gives great results.