Hello everyone. This board is an incredible resource, and between researching here and reading Tom's book, I feel pretty loaded with knowledge. However, experience is the real deal--which I'm working on.

I'm just getting started after a couple months of reading and research. I'm bulding a couple vertical jigging rods for walleye fishing on inexpensive blanks with TN split grips and Fuji Alconites. Last night, I wrapped the first rod. Looks awesome, but I'm concerned about the thread I used.

I had one spool of very ugly-colored Gudebrod size A that I practiced with. When I was ready to wrap, I didn't want to wait for another order of thread or pay shipping for one or two spools. So I reasearched a little, then went to the fabric store and bought what they told me a lot of rod builders buy: Coats and
Clark 100% Nylon upholstery thread (T26). After wrapping the rod---which seemed like using rope after the Gudebrod A stuff, I read here that epoxy may not stick to this Coats thread if it has lubricants added.

Anyone use this type of thread or have any advice before I try and finish the wraps? I'd appreciate any insight or advice.

I did some test wraps the other day on some C and C tilobial (sp?) without CP and it came out flawless. now problems in the finish whatsoever. I'm not sure if this is what you used or not. I think the stuff I used (if I remember corectly) was a 50/50 blend of polyester and nylon. I'll have to check when I get home. It was the only stuff my local Wal-Mart carried that wasn't cotton. Do a search. There was a thread or two in the last week or so concerning this topic.

TJ

Darrell
The C&C nylon is about the same size as size c If you use a couple coats of CP you should'nt have any problems. The fabric store should carry poly thread in a 40 weight in Maderia, Isacord, C&C. If you can't wait for a new order to come in try these.

Mark Syck

SYCKO Custom Rods
There Are No Limits To The Imagination

Consider yourself lucky you have a source for the C&C nylon in the larger diameters....I can't find the stuff locally for the life of me. For wrapping lighter rods the Coates & Clark TRILOBAL polyester thread per the manufacturer is NOT supposed to contain lubricants that may cause epoxy issues. I would still use CP however if you want to retial spool color.

The heavier Nylon would work fine for heavier rods, dec wraps or weaving.



Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

You should be fine with nylon or polyestor thread. What you have sounds a little thick though for a rod like that. What you want would be a 40 wt thread (Just a tiny bit smaller than A) I always use CP anyway to keep the spool color so I haven't run into it but IF a thread has lubrication to aid in sewing machines, it COULD cause a problem without CP to seal it!!

Anytime you're in doubt, do a quick wrap on a piece of scrap or a dowel and test it.

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!!

Guys, thanks very much for your insights. The units of measure for thread are a bit confusing. How do you translate these to the same terms? That is, size A compares how to 40 Wt thread? The sewing people use "T16....T24, T26" etc. as measures for their thread. I put a digital caliper on the size A, and it was around .07 - .08 mm. The T26 measured around .27 - .28 mm.

I did see C&C Trilobial polyester at JoAnn's. This store didn't carry Madeira. I'll make a trip over there now that I have more info. Is CP unique to rod building, or would the fabric store carry that as well? Once I know I'm hooked on rod building, I'll order the appropriate materials from the board sponsors.

Darrell,
The Trilobel 40 wt is pretty good judging from what I have used from JoAnn's. CP is a rod building product but some have used other products as well. Not trying to be a smart .... but it doesn't seem to make sense (to me) to learn with "inappropriate" materials and switch to "appropriate materials when you're hooked. Using "inappropriate" materials may give you results/problems that would keep you from becoming "hooked"

Once again, not being critical, just an observation

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!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/2007 01:25PM by Mike Barkley.

I agree, Mike. Your observation is valid and appreciated. I'm just getting in a hurry to get things done over the weekend and trying to find a short cut, I guess. I've always felt the same way about learning any new skill---get the right tools for the job.

Darrell

Darrel,
Your e-mail is hidden, please shoot me an e-mail mbarkley@wowway.com

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!!