When building on small diameter blanks (0.250" -0.280" at the butt) I seem to have a hard time making any decorative wraps beyond a chevron look good. I am fairly new to decorative wraps, and have built mostly for function. I am using size A thread and a Flex Coat hand wrapper.

Any tips on working with small blanks would be much appreciated. I also want to say thanks to the guys that answered a few of my other posts. This board has a lot of great members, generously sharing their hard learned knowledge.

Thanks,
Marc

Thanks - Marc

Keep it simple - that's all I can handle!

Marc, I build a lot of ultra lite rods, and I either do chevrons, 3 colors max, or underwrap and inlay a feather. I have also done just a few trim wraps , and called it good. But like you say not a whole lot of blank to do much on. I run into the same problem with the ice rods, in that case, I use metallic thread to attach the hookeeper and inlay a feather, jungle cock nails, or grizzly hackle feathers, the hackles work nice because they are long and narrow and lay on nicely. Just my take. Galen Briese

I just completed a St. John's cross on my ultra light in the dia. you mention. I used Visual Wrap to help me set up the proper spacing and thread count, I also have Billy Vivona's book. excellent how to on spacing and thread count. He is supposed to have some available at the upcoming show. But what you ask can be done. Scott

Marc, any wrap can be done on smaller blanks. It helps the pattern to use smaller diameter threads like Madeira 60 or silks ( its not good for the eyes though)

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/02/2007 02:59PM by Michael Joyce.

Here's another wrap on a tiny blank, granted it's a scrap tip off a surf rod: [www.rodbuilding.org]

I put a standard screwdriver next to it for a comparison. It is very difficult to wrap on small diameter blanks, but it can be done. I also used the smaller 60 weight Madeira thread and wrapped a 3D Star which is about as difficult as a St. John's Cross.

Mike and Bill, where do you get your Madeira # 60? Joanns here in Des Moines carries the 40 but not the 60. Thanks

Direct from Madeira. Gotta order enough to make it worth the cost of shipping.

Here is a link to a rather small blank that I did star pattern on with Mettler 40.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

WOW, Scott!! Nice work!

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!!

Thanks Mike!!