I'm trying to wrap a 2-turn white, then a 3-turn goldenrod, followed by a full wrap of medium blue all the way up the guide foot. How are you guys who like to use a hitch knot for the very narrow band trimming the ends? The only way I can see it so far is to drop a tiny bit of Permagloss then trim as close as possible. I can't see getting it trimmed so well that I won't have some cleanup after the first coat of finish. Is there tips on trimming a hitch know tag ends so they lay down without being noticeable after finishing?

I use a bit of Permagloss as you suggest on my two wrap trims and trim them when it dries. This works well with metallic thread and especially Sulky metallics in my experience.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Are you able to trim them close enough to avoid any bumps in the finish?

Yes, once they are firm. I use a new double edge razor blade and once the thread is pulled taught just a touch with it will sever the thread. It seems to me that the Sulky metallic almost parts as the blade approaches contact. I only have a problem and leave a tag end when I miss the proper contact point with the blade.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Leon,
I do my trim wraps pretty much like you with Nail knots and when the trim is pulled up tight against the main wrap, I put a dab of CP on the knot. When I am ready to finish, I trim all of the tag ends with a quality pair of Cuticle nippers. I learned this from Bill Stevens and is the best thing that I've seen yet. [www.rodbuilding.org] These clippers can be found at any Beauty supply or good sized drugstore (Walgreens carries them) They are between $15 & $20 but have a lifetime guarentee and can be mailed in for sharpening (if they ever need it!). They trim thread perfectly flush with no problem. I was skeptical until Bill showed me in Charlotte last year but now I can't imagine being without them


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!!

Like Mike, I use the nail knot technique. I generally use a surgeon's knot instead of just one pass through the loops (two passes of the thread tail-end through the loops).. Tighten thread by pulling each end along the direction of the wrap.A tiny dab of superglue is carefully applied to the tightened knot , with a skinny bodkin that has a slight bow near the tip end.. Thread is trimmed with a cuticle nipper.

The "skinny bodkin" referred to is actually a larger than average needle which was glued into a handle. A slight bow was put near the end to enable better control of the amount of CA to be applied. The diameter of the "skinny bodkin" is less than the typical fly-tying bodkin & has a sharp point. Hope that makes sense.

Bill Steven's idea of using a cuticle nipper to trim thread is one of the best tips ever! If you haven't tried it yet, you're missing out on a great way to trim thread flush.

Stan



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2006 08:04PM by Stan Gregory.

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