I am working on a couple of 50-pound class stand-up tuna rods and I was wondering what the downside would be to using A size thread as the over wrap for the roller guides. It seems to me that A size thread would provide more wraps, thus causing less stress per thread. With a couple coats of epoxy over top of the threads I don't think there is a big concern with the threads getting damaged. I'm not sure if I'm on the right track with this line of thinking.

Is it just the stripper guide thats going to be a roller or all of them? The roller guide is not going to flex too much while the blank will depending on what kind of taper it has and how stiff it is. This leaves the thread and the epoxy with most of the stress. I would do a size A underwrap and at least a C or D overwrap, maybe double. Thats just me.

Jordan; For roller guides I do an underwrap of "A" put in any trim bands that I want and apply a coat of CP if you need it or a thin coat of finish or both, I use permaglos. Then an overwrap of "A" and another of "C".

TITLE: "Gudebrod Thread Table: Strength & Weight of Guide Wraps for Size 2/0 - E"
For general reference, a Table of Calculated Strengths and Weights of UNFINISHED Gudebrod Thread Wraps for Sizes 2/0-E, for Silk, Regular Nylon, NCP and HT Metallics, assuming a thread wrap bandwidth of 1 cm, around a rod blank
of circumference of 1 cm (OD = 1/Pi = 3.18 mm), is available at: [www.rodbuilding.org]
(Calculated values, not direct "in-situ" measurements.
-Cliff Hall+++, Gainesville, FL-USA*****

Jordon,
As you can see in the info provided by Cliff (thanks Cliff!!) Size "A" thread is strong enough for your purpose.
That being said, it is common practice to use a larger size and double overwraps for durability and abrasion
resistance over the long haul. The added weight of the larger size and extra wraps on a rod that heavy is a
mute point.

Raymond Adams
Eventually, all things merge, and a river runs through it..

I've been using only A thread on all my saltwater rods including heavy roller guide rods for over ten years and never had a problem. I do coat each layer of thread with finish. Using A makes for a smaller overall wrap. To me, anything larger than A looks like rope and shouldn't be on a high end custom rod. Larger thread is easier and quicker to put on which is why all the factory rods use it. Weaves and butt wraps also look much finer when done in all A.

We've been using A thread for underwraps with E thread for the guide wraps themselves on surf rods, which are also fairly large in diameter at the butt half. The downside is that the A thread on a larger blank will use a lot more thread and requires you to make really sure of the smoothness of the wrap (i.e., compacting the threads) as a result. But well done, it looks a lot nicer as the underwrap, and provides a smooth transition between the blank and the guide wrap color. Be sure to get at least one coat of CP on it before you actually wrap the guides in place.

Uncle Russ