A rod builder out west used to do this with tiny gold wire instead of mettalic thread. Anybody know how to do it or where to get the thin gold wire from??

I'm curious john, why wire??? I'm sure it will weigh more than thread, so what is the purpose??? The reason I ask is because I don't see the point in adding any unessecary weight



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2009 04:56PM by David Teague.

The kind of weight difference you'd be talking about is absolutely nil.

I seem to recall this gentleman but can't put my finger on his name. I'm sure he used the fine wire such as that sold by fly fishing shops for certain fly patterns. That's where I'd look for it. They usually have various colors and sizes.

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I think that would be Gary Anderson. I have tried the wire inlay a few times with marginal success. Not sure if it was because of the type of wire I was using...


Walt

I looked in my files just now, Wolfe Rod Company was using the gold wire inlays as far back as 1983 (postmark on the catalog I received from them back then). Jack Wolfe was the owner. I had forgotten how beautiful they were. Sort of puts the ones done with metallic gold thread to shame. I'll put one of his photos up on the photo page in a few minutes.

I'm not sure of the actual technique used. It could be the same as the one we use for making regular thread inlays. Then again, it might be different.

For the record, RodMaker covered narrow thread trim bands and thread inlays in the Volume 6 #1 issue from 2003. An update, including the newer "off-angle" inlays was published in Volume 11 #6 end of last year.

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[www.rodbuilding.org]

Reading a bit of the typewritten catalog, I see where he says his "gold inlays" are actually made from brass wire.


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Do the shops have the brass wire to?? HOw hard can it be is the wire bends easy?

I don't know, but I'd guess that they do. Fly Tiers wrap it around hooks, so I would assume you could wrap it around a rod blank. It will probably help to flatten the ends of the wire to prevent a lump in the wrap.


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You can also check with your local sporting goods store, our local Gander Mt. and BPS both care it as well as any type of fly tying material.

Us fly tiers use wire for a number of purposes, it would certainly wrap a rod. The wire comes in various thicknesses and is available in Gold (brass), silver and copper colors on spools like wrapping thread.

John if you are interested in trying some I can send you some to play with, email me.

Phishin Phool



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2009 11:18PM by Phil Erickson.

I have used wire before and believe it or not, it does look a little different than traditional Rod Thread. Inlayed in a dark thread, it looks very very rich. What I have used and will use at times is 8/0 gold or silver Fly Tying wire that is very thin and light. It is so light, you can simply pull it hard and it will break.

It comes on wood spools and that’s all I know………I use it a lot when I tie flies…..

Terry

I work in the tool making trades as an Extrusion tool designer, I ran EDM machines for many years. EDM wire comes in several different dia's. From .002 up to .012 or larger Dead soft Brass, very shiny.

Steve Bro
(BroCo Custom Rods)

I have experimented with a few types of wire and find Largutan brand to be the finest and brightest. The stuff I have is XF but you can get it in fine as well. It comes in several colours including royal blue.

I have used Fly tying tinsel on lots of rods It looks very sharp. Especially the embossed tinsel. The old Herters tinsel looks the best but it's very expensive now. Just a "very small" dab of super glue on the ends and your done. Very classy