I'm new to rod building, so I've been watching instructional videos .
For some reason I can't seem to get the guide wraps tight enough
and close enough together.

I'm using Pro Wrap Color Fast in size "D"

Thanks

Dave

run your thread through a book and add more weight if needed to add more tension on the thread and then after you wrap you need to lightly burnish the threads with a plastic eating utensil or if you have a burnishing tool to close the gaps

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

David

Tight is not an objectively defined term. Nonetheless, too tight, too much thread tension, is not a good thing either. Think just firm enough such that the guides can be moved a bit for their final alignment.

With regard to packing thread, try using the edge of a plastic credit card to nudge every 3 or 4 turns to the previous 3 or 4 turns. Then as Matthew advised, burnishing will finish the wrap.

As you gain experience you will learn that some threads require more or less tension, more or less packing, etc. There is not a one size fits all formula.

Thanks guys.

Dave

My questions would be what type of rod are you building and why are you using "D" thread? Colorfast thread is harder to wrap with than plain nylon and using "D" thread is making it worse. Starting out, I would use plain nylon "A" thread. That is adequate for most applications and is a lot easier to work with. You can always coat with color preserver if you want the opaque look.

Ok. Thanks Bob. Didn't know that.
It's 7-4 spinng rod, med action.

Dave

Double posted!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2017 04:52PM by Norman Miller.

Actually size D is easier to wrap in my opinion, and I can not tell the difference between color fast and regular tread as far as wrapping ease is concerned. Just keep your thread tension firm enough so you can rotate the rod without struggling. I think you can keep the wrap tighter and closer by wrapping towards you with the tread coming over the top. If you are right handed wrappring from left to right makes it a little easier to keep tension and pack.
Norm

David,
While admittedly a rookie as well and without the vast experience of previous responders, I have to agree with Norman concerning D thread being easier to work with even though I prefer wrapping over the top and away from me. Either of those could start additional threads. Two aids I employ for tightly packed wraps are feeding the thread from slightly behind the direction of the wrap which has a tendency to automatically pack the thread as you progress and I also use a (modified) dental pick with a little pressure against the side of the thread to pack each wind of thread as the blank rotates. As a result, minimal if any burnishing is required.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Packing and burnishing serve two different purposes. Packing to get the threads tight against each other, burnishing to flatten the thread, which of course does further pack the tightly, and also tends to lessen the "valley" between threads/



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/24/2017 08:05PM by Phil Erickson.

Mark, how an you wrap over the top and away from you? Went down to the shop to try it that way and could not do it. Where is your thread spool located? It has to be between you and the blank. My thread spool is on the other side of the blank, I find this is the easiest way for me, and this also allows me to pull the blank slightly towards me to help maintain tension. I guess there are a number of different ways to wrap. Pick the way which is most comfortable for you. Mark is right about feeding the thread from slightly behind the direction you are wrapping. This slight angle does help the threads pack together better. I pack with my fingernail as I move along. Different strokes for different folks.
Norm

As an example of Norman's statement about thread position, here is the rod - thread setup that I have used from the time that I have built my first rod.

It is a very simple but extremely effective way to wrap rods.
Note that the thread is on a simple weighted base, where it travels through a guide to a tension device and then it comes forward over the top of the rod. The top of the blank rotates toward the person doing the wrapping.

It is every easy to dial in the exact tension needed - from very light to extremely high tension. Easy to pack the thread very tightly. But after wrapping my first many rods, I very seldom have to pack thread much, because if you keep the thread at an angle and with the right tension - the thread tends to self pack very well.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

The weighted thread stand has a nylon base that slides easily along the top of the smooth rod bench.

Take care

I wrap away from me and over the top. It seems easier that way.

I appreciate all the info. This is a great forum.
I'll try and post some pics.

Thanks to everyone.

Dave

Maybe that is why you are getting loose wraps. Experiment and try the other orientation.
Norm

I too wrap over the top. and turn the rod away from me. My thread spool and the eyelet I pass the thread through before it goes to the blank are between me and the blank. The eyelet the thread passes through is about 3" back from where the center line of the blank lays in the stands.

It makes it easy to see the thread, and to watch the angle of the thread that helps keep the wraps tight as mentioned earlier.

Norman,
My spools are behind the blank and on a tray moveable the entire 12ft length of the 1 X 3 Tee slot aluminum base without obstruction of the uprights which are adjustably mounted to the rear of the base. The thread(s) is (are) guided by eyelets to one of four finial eyelets near the front of the tray which extends 3in out from the base, then up on, approximately, a 45* angle to the front side of the blank which is rotated away from me. Having all threads in front allows me to see and control inlays much better, especially when wrapping inlay threads around the standing thread as with my staggered vine leaf. I also find it easier to pack each wind with the pick while rotating away from me. I posted pics a few months ago under Equipment & Tools; Mark’s Wrapper if interested and/or my description is inadequate. Right or wrong, we all like what works for us which may not include consistency.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

You are right, whatever works for you.
Norm