Not including any butt/decorative wraps, is there any rule of thumb or formula to estimate the amount of thread (size a) needed to do guide wraps? I building myself a 9 foot calstar 900H with 10 guides (16, 12, 10 x 3, 8 x 5). I have several partially used spools of Gudebrod thread (differing colors to choose from) that I could use to wrap the guides. But I don't want to get near the end and find that I don't have enough thread to finish and then have to try to track down some discontinued thread.

Like I said just looking for a rough estimate of the thread needed or an easy way to guestimate how much thread is needed..

Thanks for any suggestions.

Robert, I have never heard of anything along those lines. It seems as though there are many variables to consider,to even start. I would think that a 1oz spool of A,B,C or D ought to cover all your guide wraps. Assuming you are using 2 colors, one spool of each color should suffice. That isn't even if you keep your wraps to a minimal length. If you want longer guide wraps and want to cover yourself,you could use a third color for inlays in guide wraps and underwraps.

Robert,
As Chuck mentioned - tough to figure.

If in doubt - get some more thread to keep on hand.

thread is very inexpensive and easy to obtain. Just give yourself some ordering time so that you will always be sure to have some on hand to finish the rod you are building.

Be safe

Thanks, kind of what I figured with all the variables. I don't build many rods and have several partially used spools of Gudebrod that will probably just sit sit around if I order new thread.

Never really thought about it, but without any decorative wraps you should be able to wrap a rod with one 100 yd spool of size A. Does depended on the diameter of the blank, number of guides and whether or not they are single or double foot. If you have 1 oz spools of thread no problem.
Norm

average rod uses about 60-80 yds of thread in a that is with a hook keeper and tip wrap with/ for 2 foot guides with a 1/8-1/4 start of wrap and couple of 1 inch trim bands between the seat and first guide used as a built in ruler for size limits of fish ,this is for most fresh water rods up to 9 ft. but it isn't a real decorative rod more a nice plain Jane wrap job
single foot guides would be about 1/3 less thread that is my findings over the years of building.

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

I just put new guides on a old calstar GF-800-m I ran out of thread with 3 of the nine underwraps to go I started with a 100yd spool of metallic size A thread the rod had 9 guides plus 2 bands at the butt wrap. had to order more thread still got it done before owner went to keys fishing hope that helps

For fly, spinning or casting regular rods (say in the 6' to 8' range) I built at least four rods with a 100yds size A bobbin.

I just recently finished a Phenix 760x2H. 7 1/2' blank. Ten guides with a tiptop wrap and short butt wrap. I had about 5 yards left on a 100yard spool of ProWrap. Wow.

Do some crude math to get a rough idea of the amount of tread… "A" size thread is .006" "B" = .008" and "D" is .010" thick. measure the diameter of the rod at the wrap site, Circumference = D x 3.14. So 2" long wrap of a guide at a place where the pole is .375" in diameter (1.1775 circumference) using size "A" thread would require approx. 392" of thread or just over 10 yds.