I am currently building a 4 pc fly rod and noticed that one of the ferrel cuts is pretty rough. I dont want this to be a place for uneven stress and a possible crack so can I sand it smooth before I wrap it or is there a better way? I dont want to do any damage with the sand paper.
Also I have noticed that my guide wraps leave a small thread sticking up where I tuck the end under and trim it off how can I get my trims closer than finger nail clippers or a razor blade? I am going to experiment with cutting the thread that I am pulling under before I pull it through to possibly not have anything sticking out. I am worried that these trim tabs, though very small, will be a point in my finished epoxy.

Trim your thread so it does not pull all the way thru and stays under the wrap to avoid
"stick ups"
Also if you trim them under tension the ends usually pop under and allow you to burnish
them away.

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

You can true up the rough male ferrule end yourself very easily. I would be careful not to remove too much though. I would use a white stone on a bench grinder at low speed. That's if you can keep it under control. Otherwise, just set a piece of 600 grit sand paper on a table top or the floor and rub the rough end on it at a 90 degree angle til you smooth/square it up to your liking. Probably the 600 grit method would be smarter and safer...

Josh Markvan
www.markvanheirloom.com

my problem is the female cut. I am going to do the same thing you discribed for the male though. There is one real jagged edge to the cut like during the cutting the last little bit broke free as wood does when not supported. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.