Rod wrapping

The next rod I dowill NOT have extra fine silk wraps. Since I do these things by hand it's VERY time consuming and if you get a "pil" in the thread it really shows up with the fine stuff and then you have to re-wrap. Also it helps if you don't answer the phone and forget which "flat" of the rod the guide goes on.

Pete, with the exception of the restorations, almost everything is "special" Since it's all hand work 90% of it is to customer specifications. Unless they want something stoooopid. This person just wanted wraps of very fine dark red silk, which will show a flaw in a heartbeat. I've done rods in "team" colors, school colors, a purple and gold wrapped rod for a member of the clergy, and a pink wrapped rod for a lady. The only thing I refuse to do is an exact copy of somebody elses' work, unless it is an antique restoration.

If you are having tag ends either try a tuck-under finish or get a very fine pick and push them back under the other wraps. Even with a tuck finish the cut off end still has a little bump that can be tucked with a nice sharp point. If you don't have a pick, a big safety pin in a pair of vice grips will do. Then tyr it with some silk that is about 1/4 the thickness of normal wrapping thread. In some cases you can't even see the individual wraps. But a mistake shows up like a zit on a prom queens nose. Or you can try burning the tag end off with a small hot flame. Works great for Nylon, stinks like mad for silk.

BTW I am thinking of making a "ghost" rod and using very fine white or off beige silk. The stuff goes transparent when it hits finish so at first glance the guides look like they are just siting on the rod.

I still haven't been enticed into experimenting with spiral wraps or diamonds. I'm too much into the 90's type of rod building. (the 1890's)