hi all,
is it ok to use metallic thread for the entire guide wrap? i'm building a 6.5''med.power spin rod with single foot guides.I think it would look good with metallic blue guide wraps with metallic gold trim.I normaly decrease my thread tension when working with metallics to keep it from fraying.am i going to run into trouble?I use gudebrod thread.
thanks in advance to all that respond!
Scott

yes yes YES! it is ok to use metallic's.

DR



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2009 11:25PM by Duane Richards (DR).

You can use metallics.

Just did a rod over the weekend as a matter of fact. This particular spool of thread did NOT want to go thru my tension device. So I just stacked weight on top of my spool until I got the right tension.

You'll know within the first couple of wraps if your thread is going to work or not.


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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

I use metalic thread on the majority of my rods, however there is a learning curve. The fraying is only one problem stretching and packing are others. No CP is one other advantage. I even do cross wraps in metalic.

The metallic threads are as strong as nylon thread when tenision tests are run to take it to failure. It should work fine from a strength standpoint. But - the elongation of the inner core of the metallics far exceeds that of nylon - it stretches and does not return to original length. On blanks that flex a lot the thread will stretch under the cured adhesive which is also flexible to a point and will move slightly and form open gaps. The ramp on guide frames needs to be tedioulsy worked to a very thin edge for the upramp of metallic thread. Many production rods that have used the metallics without proper guide foot prep will very quickly exhibit a narrow gap thread separation at the thread up ramp on the end of the guide foot. For rods where heavy use and flexing is needed the nylon thread may prove to be the best choice.

OK, Mike fire away!

Sulky embroidery thread don't fray as much as the Gudebrod, as the metallic is much finer and better incorporated in the thread structure. It also doesn't, at least for me have silicone or other additives that can fisheye your finish. But than I always have used one coat of CP before putting the finish on. Madeira and others can take fisheye, I'm told mutiple coats of CP will help.