I remember hearing someone say something about Prepping the guide feet before wrapping them.
What does this prep entail?

i figured it might be adding a dab of glue to secure the guide before wrapping, but then i noticed when i took the guides off one of my rods to replace em, the guide foot looked like it was actually filed down a bit.
From this i deduced that it was so that the wrap transitioned more smoothly when going around the blank to the guide foot.
I'm totally just thinking of after observation, i really don't know the true reason behind it. But i would like to know.

anybody??

The ends of guide feet are somewhat blunt. Prepping includes cleaning, tapering to a shallow angle, and polishing the feet. Also, make sure they sit flat on the blank.

When wrapping, thread should climb easily and naturally onto the guide foot. If it doesn't, you have some work to do.

...............

Gowith Toms advice. Also Tom's book goesin to some detail about guide prepping. You might wont to do a search on guid foot preperation.
Good Wraps Bob

Here's a photo of what I generally do with my guides to prep them.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Absolutely DO NOT use glue to secure the guide to the rod!

OK, that said, Tom's book shows how to prep the guide feet and so do some other books. The idea is to eliminate the "lump" at the tip of each guide foot, so the thread doesn't have to 'climb" over it when you wrap over the foot from the rod itself.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Thanx for the photo-link, Mick. Those are some really nice comparison pics, shows me where I can save a bit of weight in the form of epoxy. I've always focused more on the ramp and getting any sharp edges tamed, but looking at the side by side in the pics I see what is wicking up so much epoxy.

Reckon I'll be doing a bit more filing and grinding in the future, original foot shape sure does create alot of space under the thread!

Hi Leo I did a tutorial several months back if you drop me a line I will gladly send it to you.