Newbie question...
Im ready to wrap a big rod (1509 rainshadow) The under wraps will be fairly long. Will 100yrds. of Guedbord A metalic cover this and wide bands on the furrel?
Also I will be doing this by hand, Should I get a thin coat of epoxy on the underwraps and trim bands until I can spend another day wrapping an finishing the guides? Or not worry about things coming loose?
I will be using LS supreme...I need 2 coats on the overwrap.
What do you do when it takes time to do a rod?
Thanks..

Greg,
You'll have to do a bit of math on this to find out. Measure the diameter of the blank at the widest (butt end) point where you will have your first guide. Multiply that by 3.14. That is how much thread it will take to go around one time.

Measure the length you want your underwrap, then divide by the dia. of the thread. This will give you an approximate number of wraps. Multiply this by the first number and you'll have a rough idea of how much thread will be needed.

Do this for each guide, then add them together for a total amount of thread.

Personally, I like to Cp or permagloss underwraps. Keeps them secure, helps with an easier time wrapping over the top, and I think it makes for a more secure wrap overall when complete. You don't have to though. A lot of folks don't and have no problems.

What do I do when it takes time to do a rod? Spend the time doing the rod. If it takes an extra day, so be it. Don't cut corners. It will show in the end eventually.

Greg -
You'll have plenty of thread on that 100 yard spool . Keep reasonable tension - likely doing this by hand you can't put too much tension on there to do any harm. A 'kinda rule' is that when you pull the tie off through you should feel a couple or three pounds of resistance against your index finger. The gudebrod metallic will quickly "take a set" against the diameter of the rod and will not come loose easily. As for epoxy on the underwraps - a thin coat of epoxy, PermaGlos or color preserver is a good idea. One you'll have fewer problems with bubbles in the finish later. Two the finish (no matter what you use) will fill in the gaps in the underwrap and make the overwrap job go easier. Doing the 1509 Rainshadow you are going to need MORE than two coats of LS Supreme - You're building a Hatteras Heaver - a beach rod and you'll appreciate the extra finish. Keep the finish coats thin - more / thinner is better than one thick coat. Easier to get a smooth flat finish and minimal bubbles with multiple thin coats

If you're building a spinning rod I bet it's going to be close. Why not have an extra spool handy given the price? I bet it won't go to waste.

Greg:

A size thread is nominally 0.006 inch in diameter, and 41 wraps cover a quarter of an inch. Use the famous formula from High School - Circumference of the blank equals Pi times the blank diameter. You will figure it out.

Doug Weber