What is the difference between sewing thread and guide wrap string???

A rod wrapping thread is high strength, very smooth nylon, machine thread is all over the place in quality, materials, smoothness, colorfastness, on and on. #40 Embroidery polyester thread with no silicone finish can at times be used for rod building. Madeira PolyNeon, Sulky metallics, and a few others I'm sure will be listed will work.

Sewing machine thread has a sylicone finish added to the thread. This alows the thread to pass threw the needle without fraying or breaking. When using this type of thread as a wrap thread, the thread finish well orange peal or well not entirely cover the thread leaving open gaps in the finish. If you do use sewing machine thread, you must put a couple of coats of color presurver on the thread before using a thread finish. C/P well prevent gaps in the finish
Good Wraps Bob

The sewing thread also frays a lot if it is cotton.There are many types of thread for sewing.In a pinch you can use sewing thread if it is nilon or polyneon(Maderia brand) but it is not recomended.I experimented with Maderia on guide wraps and aws not happy with the result.It looked great but the guide moved a lot due to the silicone.
Bottom line is use rod wrapping thread for attaching guides,For decorative work the polyneon is fine as long as color preserver is used.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Gudebrod makes/sells all kinds of thread Their nylon is also sold as a sewing thread and, personally, I doubt that there is any difference.
It's the material, not the company that makes it. Keep in mind that there are very few things actually made for rodbuilding. Most items are made for non-rodbuilding purposes

POLYESTER sewing thread is used by many builders (Madeira, Coats & Clark, Trilobel, Sulky, etc) with no problems whatsoever. Their are various threads that are sold for rodbuilding that are also sold in sewing stores.
Cotton, rayon and other materials usually cause problems because of the material, not because it's a sewing thread. Many (not all) sewing threads are coated to aid in machine use and should be used with CP or tested on scrap first. I always use CP, so that's not an issue.

Strength is a non issue also. #40 polyester thread is more than strong enough for rodbuilding

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!!

Mike I will have to agree with your post - but;

I think it is best for most new builders to start with products that are sold by vendors who supply rodbuilding specialty items; at least, until a builder is advanced to the point that other acceptable products can be used. Their initial work products will stand a much higher chance of success. People who get all hot and bothered about not waiting for products to arrive or the ones who are simply seeking something cheap can easily end up with the wrong stuff from places like Wally World and the local fabric store.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/27/2008 03:11PM by Bill Stevens.

Thanks for the info. Found some nice looking colors at local sporting good . Made for guides. May work for now I guess you learn somthing every now and again.

Bill,

I agree, but............. Many vendors sell Madiera, Sulky and others without mentioning that it's a sewing thread and should be used with CP, whuch I'm sure isn't very helpful to new builders when they don't use CP and wonder why the have fish eyes Like I said,other than components and lathes, I can't think of anything that wasn't used for other purpose before it was used in rodbuilding

I agree they need a little patience and should order from vendors who are familiar with what you are doing.

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!!

OK Mike a test for you!

What was the original use and supplier of the "little white plastic curved and rounded thing-a-ma-jig" that is made for burnishing and packing thread?

Him }>

It's burnishing tool for crafts such metal leafing, etc and it's sold in Michaels and other craft shops in a two pk

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 01/30/2008 12:46AM by Mike Barkley.