I was wondering what the general concensus is for thread size to use for a simple diamond butt wrap. Would D be easier to use than A? I appreciate any input.

Personally, I think D would be easier, but A looks better.

Larry

Scott,

This may be a "minority report," but as has been said before:

Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder.

Doesn't what's "right" for something decorative, as compared to functional, depend on perception as well as concensus?

I think a basic diamond wrap with D looks good on a larger diameter rod, but probably not so good on a smaller one. I like the texture and dimensionality that D gives for this type of wrap.

I'm sure others disagree. But if you're new at this very addicting pastime, and in it to please yourself, do like I do -- try them both and see what looks good to you. Thread's cheap, and if it's a hobby, so is time!



Bilgee

I feel the same as Bill; small diameter blanks look nicer with A; I like the D for medium to above diameter blanks. But that's just my beerholder...

Putter

Once you get used to using A in your wraps, C & D will look like rope. A gives a much finer appearance with smoother transitions, A does take more time but then nothing comes easy. To me a classic case of you get what you pay for, A looks better but takes more time.

I think it depends on your intended design. For some designs, I've liked D better than A. For some designs, I've mixed the thread sizes. For other designs, I've had all one size. It all depends on what you want to do, what design you have in mind. That's part of what's so great about building your own rods: everything is up to you and there aren't really all that many rules!

Thanks for all the advice. This will be my first go at a decorative wrap so I'm sure there will be some experimentation. Luckily I have a good supply of both D and A.

On a diamond the A will look a lot better. Remember that the height of the wrap at the thread crossings will give you considerably more thread thickness when using D due to the larger diameter. If you are just getting started a chevron pattern will be much easier for you to get right because you will be packing in one direction only and the banks of thread will slide and stay in place much easier. On a diamond when you pack in one direction on one side you will be loosening threads on the other side. My suggestion is use A and start with a chevron. Take a look at some of the wraps in the photo section and the well done chevrons will astound you. Good Luck and wrap wrap wrap!

Gon Fishn

I am glad it will be very clear to you now, given all the consistent advice! LOL i agree with D for large blanks and A for small, but then, I've only been at this for about 8 months or so.

I use A for everything, but I don't do Diamonds or Chevrons. It probably wouldn't matter much with thos patterns, ut when you start getting into splitting & stars & such - D doesn't give you the detail you "need" for a wrap like this.

Is there a good instructional source with information on a chevron pattern? I have Tom K's book which has a good description of a diamond wrap, and a small flex coat brochure that shows box and fish wraps (albeit quite poorly), but I have not come across information on constructing the chevron pattern.

Thanks for all the help.

Dale Clemens has a book, I think it's called Custom Thread Art-someone correct me if I'm wrong- that has the Chevron described pretty fully in it. I've got it around here somewhere...