I just had to cut off a fish butt wrap because my thread loosen up so much I could not pack properly. What is the best method for holding the treads inplace during the wrap so they do not loosen. I was just using masking tap & it doesn't seem to hold the tread. Also, when doing the wrap do you use alot of tension or something lesser.

You have to keep adding more tape. If you don't, much of the thread you apply never actually sticks to anything - there is only so much room on the tape.

It also helps to make a wrap around the blank (on the tape) and then start up the rod with the thread. The Amato book Rod Building Guide has a full color pictorial on all aspects of starting, making and finishing such wraps.

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You could also try pinning down the crossing points with color preserver.

Bill in WV

Use a small impliment like a awl or dental pick or even a tooth pick to press down the thread on to the tape. Never press the thread with your fingers. Your fingers have oil an press down with your finger well take away some of the sticky stuff of the tape
Good Wraps bob

MAsking tape is a waste of time. USe double stick tape.

Thanks guys for the input. I'm going to use double sided tape & see how that goes.

Mike

If you were using Madeira thread the masking tape is not enough. The lubricant in the thread needs more stickiness. Double sided carpet tape from a big box store does the trick. One roll lasts forever (maybe not for some of the NERBS). Also with this thread the tension needs to be a little higher due to the amount the thread stretches. Do a comparison to get a feel if you used a different brand of thread previously. Attention must also be payed to the tie off as with the higher tension the whole wrap may slip when the tape is removed. Billy Vivona`s book covers these issues in detail. A good read if you dont already have it.

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Put done a couple of layers of masking tape before the double sided tape
Good Wraps Bob

I have a big elaborate procedure that I have developed over time. First, I tape down a piece of paper towel, cut to 3/4" width. I put a short piece of either flat popsicle stick or a piece of drinking straw in as I spiral the paper towel. Then, I make one or two wraps of masking tape around that. Finally, I make a wrap of Duck Tape brand double face, also cut to 3/4".
Like so much else in rodbuilding, you have to play around with things like this, to see what works for you.
Steve Broadwell

I for got the paper towel trick. Like all tricks of the trade, you have to practise to see what meets your needs. One thing about using towels is it keeps the blank clean of sticky crap.
Good Wraps bob

I like the single sticky masking tape. I take it and lay it onto my paints, pull off several times to take off some sticky. Then go onto the blank over a straw, tooth pick, then reverse. Any glue on the blank after can be washed off.

Bill - willierods.com

I can attest to Steve's comment about the Duck brand double sided tape. This stuff is sticky!!!

Bill in WV