built two rods last year and was pleased with my work, but saw room for much needed improvement.

this is my first spinning rod, (whole new ball game on guides with only one foot. I get started with wrapping the thread get up on the foot and look back and the beginning part has come loose just enough to not match. (why?) I have a fair idea but want to make sure.

also i tend to shake just a little, (old age) when i get to the smaller guides i figure i am going to have problems. especially with that small foot.
can I take a very small bit of the same epoxy i am going to use on thread, put it under the foot make sure my alignment is right and hold it with tape till it sets
I know its not the normal way but in my case i am hoping it will help.


One thing i have learned, red thread will let the foot show thru. should have covered the foot with a black magic marker, I really dont want to redo it but its nagging on me.

As far as loose, you mean the threads came loose? Or is it the guide came loose? Sounds like you do not have enough tension on the thread. As for the smaller guides, as long as you get the wrapped somewhat close to the correct position and have the correct amount of tension on the thead, you will be able to move the guides to line them all up correctly. There is no need to have them be perfect when yo are first wrapping them.

Jim, Get a stick of hot glue, heat it with a lighter. heat the guide foot, and put a very small amount of the glue on the guide foot, reheat and place the guide on the blank. After you get through wrapping the guide you can still make minor adjustments if the guide is not in line. You might want to purchase a video by Flex Coat called "How we do it." I know that Mud Hole Tackle (one of our sponsors) carries it. It is a great help for newbies.

Jim, Flex coat makes an adhesive that is a hot melt just for that purpose. It is easy enough to break the foot loose after the thread is wrapped to align it.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Second on the Flex Coat guide adhesive. I have trouble getting the guide foot to stay I place if I don't use it. I have short, fat fingers and this stuff works wonders for me.

Here's a tip for you guys. When using the GF adhesive, heat the guidefoot and NOT the gluestick. Touch the guidfoot to the stick when t is hot and just a tiny bit of glue will come off onto the GF and then attach to the blank and hold there for a few seconds and it will stick.
Y'all already knew that, Im sure, but just wanted to offer the tip.
Kevin Knox
NERBS
[northeastrodbuilders.com]

Jim,

You're not far from me, nor Buddy Owens who must live within 5 minutes of you. Either of us can show you how to easily hold any guide, even a micro guide, with a simple piece of masking tape. I've shown even long time builders this and they seem to be amazed that they overlooked what is really a very simple process.

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