I might be wrong, have been before, probably will be again, but I believe I've read here that rayon thread should not be used for building rods. Merrick Tackle's catalog lists Robison-Anton rayon thread for rod building. My interest is because rayon comes in colors that just don't seem to be available in nylon. Has anyone used Robison-Anton rayon thread for wrapping guides, weaving, etc.?

I am experimenting with rayon thread, not R&A but Madeira and Sulky, and I am only in the early stages. You are right about the color palatte, simply too many options unavailable elsewhere, and the thread has a great sheen to it. I recently did a butt wrap with mercerized cotton thread, singed off the fuzz, and coated it with two light coats of spar varnish. It was a lumpy mess. I used 1500 grit wet/dry sand paper and sanded, and sanded, and sanded, the wiped down with denatured alcohol (was told this was bad BTW). One coat of spar varnish and the wrap was saved.....don't know about longevity though.

It is rainy, windy, and miserable here in sunny CA so I am staying home and building rods.

Derek

I am fortunate enough to have a Robison-Anton distributor less than three miles from my house. I have established a business relationship with them and have been able to try their entire line of threads (not every color but every product line) used for embroidery. They ALL work. This distributor has just picked up distribution of YLI "Reflections" thread as well... For anyone who is counting shades/ colors of Robison-Anton:
There are 450 shades of "super bright polyester"
There are 450 shades of "super strenght rayon"
There are 17 colors of "J Metallic"
There are 8 color change threads (white to color in UV lighting)
There are 4 glow in the dark colors

All in diameter similar to Size A

My comments, I've been using the antique gold metallic for several yrs and really like it cause its the only ant gold metallic I've found in A size. Tried the J metallic and found it much weaker than FishHawk or Gudebrod or Rice, didn't try any more.

Yes - I have to agree with Jim - the Robison-Anton (J-metallic) thread is "limper" and is also "weaker" (lower breaking strength). Since I only use the metallics for underwraps I don't have an "issue" with breaking strength.

KEn - when using the Rayon from R/A, is it fuzzy and weak compared to teh Polyester?

Billy -
I haven't noted a large difference other than the Rayon is nicer for finishing without color preserver - seems to become more transparent when used over metallics

Ken,

What size do you use? Is it larger or smaller than "A" thread?

Bill in WV

I use a lot of RA poly because like Ken, my local sewing shops carry it and I can go to them and match what I want. I've used RA rayon in limited areas and at the time I liked it but with what I've been finding with fading tests, I'm staying away from rayon.

Bill -
What's your favorite color (or the one you use most)? I'll send you a couple spools to try.

Ken, I've never used the rayon RA thread but have used a ton of the metallic Goverment Gold, as was pointed out it is only good for undrwraps. Maderia metallic is nice but you need cp with it which is a no no with me.For some reason Merrick doesn't carry the Gov. Gold Metallic but Mudhole does. Jesse

Ken,

Purple, And White Pearl or just plain white. I got some Mediera for diomond wraps, but it's about 3 quarters the size of "A" and breaks real easy. I don't like it much for that reason! BTW did you get my last eMail?

Bill in WV

Bill in WV

Yes, I did. I need to check with a local source for some blanks - and I need to make a trip to Delaware for some blanks for myself (one can NEVER have too many!). While I'm in Delaware I'll poke around in a tractor trailer of blanks (older fiberglas / Fenwick sanded but unfinished blanks) that someone I know has. I'll keep you in mind while I'm fishing around. So one package size could be 6' - 7 feet long. In the meantime I'll go visit the R/A distributor on Monday afternoon...

Ken,

What would do without you, and the other guy's on this forum??? Answer: WITHOUT!!

Bill in WV