I just completed my first fly rod. I was pleasantly suprised at how well it turned out, but I still have a question on filing guide feet.
When I wrapped my guides, what seemed to be most effective for a good looking wrap was to wrap up to the point of the guide foot, then move the wrap up onto the guide foot (but not tight against the other wraps) for several turns. I would then use my fingernail to nudge the wraps down tight to the previous wraps and continue on in the normal manner.
Is this typically necessary, or did I just not file my guide feet enough? I was a little concerned with getting overly aggresive with them and doing more harm than good.
Also, any harm in using a Dremel tool on the guide feet as long as you're very careful?
Thanks in advance for all your help,
Brett

End of guide feet knife sharp with a gentle slope toward the ring. I use sanding disks in my Dremel as it allows very good control of how much you take off and where. Easier to do small guides also.

The May/June issue of Rodmaker had the best thing ever written on good foot preparation if you are interested. If you have to push it up the foot then you did not shape it to a shallow enough angle. Just taper it a bit more next time.

A dremel tool will work but is very slow. A rubber sanding pad with a 120 grit disk in a drill will make quick work of this job.

Brett,
I'll never use a file again on the top of the guide feet, after finding the scotch- brite wheel. Tapering the guide feet is a professionally looking result.I made a guide grinding holder to help keep your fingers away from the wheel. Bingham Enterprises have the unified wheel.Hope this was some help.

I have been using the unified wheel for polishing but can't imagine using it for grinding. I don't think it will take off any metal. I use the sanding disk for shaping and then quickly follow with the unified wheel to polish out the burrs and sharp edges. I agree that it works wonders and in just seconds.

I found these sanding disc with a scotch-brite finish from a machine shop supply store. I couldn't believe they would grind the guide feet but they do. The courser ones would actually burn through a brass boat guide.You are correct the unified wheel would be just for the polishing.

Brett,

You should "dress" each guide foot with a unified wheel or a file if that's what you've got and you should be able to wrap continuosly into the end of the foot and up and across. This will not garantee a perfect transition from the blank to guide foot. While making a wrap sometimes you have to stop and "pack" the threads to keep them tight against each other. When the wrap is finished and the tag end is cut off flush, I always then "burnish" the wrap by gently rubbing a round burnishing tool across the wrap, 360 degrees around. William C. mentioned an article in Rodmaker. Order the back issue if you can.

Bill Doherty