This is probobly a stupid question. I am a new rod builder, what do the letters on tying thread mean, and which ones are used for what applications?

The letters refer to thread size (diameter) with "A" being the size used on probably 90% of all rods, with the exception of very heavy salt/big game rods. Here is a chart with detailed info [www.rodbuilding.org] Keep in mind that "A" is more than strong enough for all but the really heavy salt stuff.

Mike

Hey Mike,
Why is A not strong enought for heavy saltwater rods? That's all I've been using for about 15 years on nothing but saltwater rods and never had a failure-I do finish each layer of thread. C and D make the wraps too fat for my liking -jmo

Jim,
I said that to keep from getting jumped on about it. I don't build those big ones, but I always see post/discussions pushing "D" thread on the really heavy ones. I've never used anything but "A" but was covering my butt\



Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Another thing to mention, besides thread weight letters... NCP Simply, it kinda means "No Color Preserver" (none needed, that is) NCP thread keeps it's color (mostly) when epoxy is put over the thread. Thread that is not NCP will turn kinda translucent. Against a dark rod blank, a light weight, light color thread that is not NCP will almost become the color of the blank and nearly disappear.

On the sizes.. A thru EE progress in larger thread diameters. "A" being small, "EE" being very, very large and bulky.

TITLE: "Gudebrod Thread Table: Strength & Weight of Guide Wraps for Size 2/0 - E" [www.rodbuilding.org]
This Table, of relative Calculated Strengths and Weights of UNFINISHED Gudebrod Thread Wraps for Sizes 2/0-E, for Silk, Regular Nylon, NCP and HT Metallics, assumes a thread wrap bandwidth of 1 cm, around a rod blank of circumference of 1 cm (OD = 1/Pi = 3.18 mm). These are Calculated values, based on manufacturer data for tensile strength, thread diameter, and yards per ounce, and not direct "on-the-rod" measurements.
-Cliff Hall, Gainesville, FL-USA+++