I have a question about doing an underwrap. On my next project I will be doing one. But my question is this....how on earth do you know where the center line is and the intersection points are? Do you lightly mark on top of the underwrap or how exactly does that all work? Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks
Lori :)

wishn i was fishn...at the beach! <*)}}}><

Lori, one of the great tips I've heard was setting up a guide wrap on an index card and keeping them on file. You can mark where you want an under wrap to start and finish in relation to the guide feet, where the centerline is in relation to the guide feet, trim band locations, etc...you can bring the card back up as a reference when placing a guide into position.

The best guide wraps I've ever seen are those done by Hiro Tanaka. He's precise and measures by the millimeter, and it does make a difference in my opinion.

Lori,
Are you talking about an underwrap on a guide or butt wrap? If you're talking about your friends trout rod, you might want to skip underwraps as the extra weight would be a hinderance to performance.

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!!

I think she's referring to an underwrap on a butt wrap. You really can't mark the underwrap with anything other than a pencil - ink pens could run or even absorb and spread into the underwrap thread, showing through.

I have done butt wraps for many, many years making my center marks on a piece of size A NCP White thread. Then I tape these "alignment" threads to the blank on opposing axii and start my wrap. After a few passes, I make sure that my centers are accurate and that everything is in a straight line. Then, I snip the alignment threads at each end (or in several shorter sections if you prefer) and pull them out from under the wrap.

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Thank you! Very great advice! That helps me A LOT. And, yes I was talking about doing an underwrap on my friend's trout rod. You guys are the best help ever! What a world of info. you are!

Thanks,
Lori

wishn i was fishn...at the beach! <*)}}}><

If it is the underwrap on a buttwrap, I would coat it with CP or Permagloss and then mark it with a china marker or white out pen (what I use). On a guide wrap, the index card method can't be beat. I don't do underwraps anymore, but I do a fair amount of false underwraps. Same look but less thread/weight. Put the guide on a card and mark where you want to start, stop, centerpoint, and you are good to go.

Thanks for all your help! Much appreciated!

wishn i was fishn...at the beach! <*)}}}><

On guide wraps I put them in place. Then on the outer edge I put 1/4" tape to mark them. Take off and do the under wrap. CP if being used and permagloss for a nice hard finish that is good to wrap over.
Butt wraps the same. making with the china maker or do the centers on paper then transfer onto the butt wrap using a good adjustable compass with sharp pointers. First pass of thread is then checked and adjusted.