I'm in the process of building my 3rd and 4th rods. Each time I wrap a rod it goes well entil I get to the tip then wrapping is more difficult because the tip of the rod isn't braced and its flimsly compared to the butt. Consiquently my wraps at the tip don't look as well as the ones at the butt. Does anyone have tips wrapping for wrapping the tip end of the rod? Thanks for the help.

Joe

P.S. I tried a search but found nothing

Try using a bobbin similar to what is used for fly tying. I was fortunate enough to find one which took both fly tying spools and rod building spools (made by Slick, I think) and it works well. With the rod building thread the tension is adjustable without having to use hand tension on the spool while wrapping.

I like to move my rod supports closer together and use lighter tension on the thread and it works, even for little flimsy 1 and 2 weights. Is it easy? Not as easy as wrapping the guides closer to the butt, BUT that is the nature of the beast. I also have extra supports that can be used to brace the rest of the rod. I stunk at it for a while but practice and with each rod the tip wraps will look better and better. Practice is the key IMHO.

i've had problems with wrapping the tip in the stand too. i have since started taking the tip section and cutting a length of thread, freehanding the winding. sometimes just sitting on the sofa.

eric
fresno, ca.

For those with Clemens & Renzetti lathes, I'm hoping to have a new tool to unveil in Charlotte to take care of this problem once and for all. I've been using a prototype for a few months and have to get it re-worked. Hopefully it will be at the Show.

It is a major hassle, especially on lighter blanks, just hold the tip with your hand to prevent it from being pulled towards teh tension. It does take some practice to get right

Thanks for all the info. I'm going to try the bobbin since I have a couple for fly tying.

Joe

I use a bobbin as well. works great and i start my wrap away from the tip and wrap towards the tip so my finish is up against the tip. this seems to give me a cleaner wrap than if i start at the tip and wrap away then tie off.

I support the tip of the blank with a finger to keep it in the right position while I wrap it. This works well even using a #6 B/CLAG Alconite guide as a tip on a 2wt. rod. I sometimes wrap a tip three or four times to get it right while the rest was smooth and easy. Above all, practice, practice practice. Ralph

If at first you don't succeed, go fishing, then try, try again.

I was having trouble with the tip also. What I did was on my extra v-block I put an L bracket on and set up a seperate tentioning device. It works great. Ths rod is held by the two main v-blocks and the tip portion hangs out about five inches right over the the third block. I set the tention loose enough not to pull the rod then tighten up a bit after the first few winds.

You didn`t mention if you were power wrapping or had wrapping but if useing power take off the belt and do the tip section by hand.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

I would have to agree with those who find wrapping a tip top alot tougher than other guides.It can definitely be frustrating,especially when you are trying to add a couple of single trim wraps in it or something.

Using less thread tension helps,but I find doing this wrap is definitely a lot more time consuming than others and requires a heck of a lot more patience.

Extra supports and hang the tip over. Use your free hand to support the tip. Loosen the thread tension. Certainly no power. Be very careful to pull your loop directly back along the blank. I often don't wrap the tip at all. It adds nothing and I change tip styles fairly often.

Joe,
What I do is turn the rod around on the rod supports and use the chuck portion of my power wrapper to support the blank tip before the actual guide tip goes on. I build up the tip with masking tape thick enough for the chuck to support it about 1/4" to 1/2" in length. Of course, I premeasure the length of my tip for the starting point of the wrap. I put the first support about 6 inches from the tip and the second way down near the butt. It holds the tip without flopping around and I can then finish my wrap rotating the rod by hand or power. I then glue the tip on AFTER the wrap is complete. I do it this way so I don't need to worry about thread tension and it works especially well on rods with sensitive or extra flimsy tips. Just how I do it.

Joe:

I slide out the handle out of the chuck, put my home made V-block on the lathe which jacks up the handle high enough to clear the lathe head and slide the whole rod down to where I can use the 2 rollers close enough to do the tip at the end. You have to turn the slightly bent rod by hand , You still have the thread tention and spool rack but it too saves on buying the extra table section.

I made a tip support that supports the barrel of the tip top. The portion that contacts the tip top barrel is simplY a piece of material cut from a credit card & attached to an "L' shaped piece of aluminum rod. The end of the support rod is attached to a stand-alone base that fits the wrapper base. It's very simple & works well.

Will post photos later this weeK. Stan