Been looking at all the new pics, I've been away from robuilding for awhile and everything seems new. Anyway, I'm seeing all these pics (on this board)with, I think, Rayon thread that I had started to experiment with but that was when I quit for a few years back. There are multiple shades of each color. Do these threads come in NCP also? and , again, where's the best place to buy from? Thanks ahead.............Kyle Ligon

When I wrote "NCP" I just mean't no color preserver needed, whatever the thread might be made of.........Kyle

I have had problems using rayon threads so I stopped using them. After much input from other rodbuilders on this board, I have started using Madeira brand thread for doing weaves and still use Gudebrod for wrapping guides.

Rayon seems to be iffy and causes more problems than is worth it in my opinion. Other than Nylon, Just about any POLYESTER thread (#40, just a hair smaller than A thread)works pretty well. The most popular polyester is Madeira's, PolyNeon. Comes in 330+ colors. CP is strongly recommended as some have reported problems with fisheyes due to some being treated with silicon for sewing machine use. I have never seen that myself. A good share of the pix that you havebeen looking at are done with Madeira. Do a search here for madeira and select ALL DATES and you will get a ton of info/opinions. You can get Madeira from @#$%& or Mudhole.

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!!

Madeira, Gudebrod, Rice, Sulky - all good stuff, but none Rayon. Suppliers are most of the sponsors on the left of this Board. Many have catalogs and online catalogs that show the threads in color. Most of the manufacturers have websites that also show their colors.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Thanks, I assume poly threads will act like nylon thread when epoxied? I mean, almost dissappear over a black blank if no CP is used? Thanks again, Kyle

The Madiera is the only one that I saw that has multiple shades of each color, which is what I want. The only problem is that I cater mostly to Beach Sharkers, so the rods are big and fairly long(10') blanks about 1" in diameter so I really need size D thread, or else I'll be doing alot more work. Does anybody sell size D and in multiple shades of the same color? Thanks, Kyle

Just wrap 2 threads at the same time instead of one.

**Does anybody sell size D and in multiple shades of the same color?**
I've been investigating that myself. Really wish something like the Madeira set was some in B and D sies.

The govt thread lettering system is pretty much unused by the rest of the world, except for rod builders. Tex is how most threads are rated. A Tex 45 or Tex 46 is B. Tex 69 is basically a D ( actually a little thicker and approaching an E). There is a fair amount of variation in sizing between manufacturers too.

Tex 45/46 and 69 are very common in poly and nylon. The manufactureres make many colors, but I haven't seen anyone who stocks them all. The thread sellers rarely know whether they have been treated with silicone, but in general, assume any sewing machine thread has been treated with something that can mess with a finish. At least until you test it.

One other odd choice I found was C-Lon. Very narrow distribution, and used by people doing beadcraft. It is a bonded filament nylon that has been UV treated, in sies AA and D only, and in about 30 colors. Available only in little 80ish yard bobbins at around $1 to $1.50 each. I like the stuff personally, it doesn't seem to cause me any finish problems, but it is a very different feeling thread.

Thanks Billy but there are strength issues to deal with too. Yes, I can overwrap but again, that just takes more time. I also need consistency in thread height if I want to use some D mixed in, but I know what you're saying. Thanks again, I'm just trying to find everything MY WAY, LOL!

What Dave said??? Thanks, Kyle

On embroidery thread numbers, the higher the number, the thinner the thread. Size 40 is bigger than size 60 and size 30 is bigger than 40. Kyle, I don't build big salt rods but a lot of guys that do, use Madeira.

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!!