I'm in the process of wrapping my first decorative diamond design butt wrap (with the help T. Kirkmann's book) I'm having some trouble keeping the individual threads aligned for one, and my biggest problem is turning out to be keeping them stuck to the masking tape I have on each end.
I know I'll figure out ways to improve as I practice- but I'm in hopes for some tips from you guys with all your years of experience to help me shorten my learning curve.
Any pointers will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Doug

I too am on my first rod and did a real nice job on my butt wrap if I must say so (Thanks to Tom's book!). Some pointers I learned while doing the wrap.

1. I used doubled sided sticky tape (3M) wrapped about 2 inches above both ends of the wrap
2. To stick the threads on the tape I would wind the thread around the tape at least 2 times with the second revolution being brought over the first to keep the thread in place.
3. I only put 5-7 threads on the tape then had to put another strip of tape over the first to keep the threads from coming loose.
4. Once you get a few threads on the blank make sure to pack them together to ensure a good looking wrap with no spaces inbetween the threads.
5. If need be you can use CP to "Tack" the thread in position if you find that they don't want to stay in position. Just make sure the thread is exactly where you want it to be and packed tighly before adding the CP.
6. Patience and practice!

Good Luck!

John

John's tips are what I would have said. The only additional thing I do is to put a 2-3" piece of a soda straw down on the blank before starting with the double sided tape. When I'm ready to cut away the double sided tape I slide the scissor point through the straw and cut all the tape and thread away without worrying about damaging the blank.

As you add more thread and more turns, add more masking tape. Tape down what's already there and then fold the tape back on itself. You can do this as often as you need to keep plenty of sticky material up there to hold the threads. You don't have to do an entire wrap on one piece of tape.

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Another really simple approach is to wrap the thread around the masking tape one revolution before you get to the blank. That will ensure that a short thread doesn't come loose on you. Thread is really cheap when you compare it to the time you're spending on a wrap of any kind. And keep the soda straw a good distance away from where you're planning to end your wrap - one to one and a half "patterns" will help you at the end when you're removing the threads. You'll have enough thread that you can "tack " it with CP in front of and behind a partial tie-off band then cut it way at an angle so it doesn't leave you with a "lump" where the threads disappear under the tie off band..

One thing I do is put a small bump in the tape. use a BB or spit ball or water ever. I wrap it under the tape so that when I bring the thread up an raound to go back down the gets behinf the bump. That way I do not have problems with the thread slipping out of alignment

Certain brands of masking tape will help. Found out that the brand Tartan will stay stickyer longer then some others. And washing your hands before wraping will help to keep the oil on your hands off of the tape.