After my informal poll here last week, it seems the Forhan is the way to go. I have viewed the photos/description in the Library and still have a question.

After placing blocking wrap #1, I understand you go around the guide leg one time. Next, do you go around the blank again, then around the guide leg again (and repeat for a total of three) OR do you go around the guide leg three times in a row without going back to the blank, and then finish up on the blank?

My hunch is it is the former. This would put about 6-7 wraps on the blank "above" the guide (in the blocking position - correct?

Yes the former. Around the guide once and then the blank. Then the guide again then the blank and do this one last time. (three times in total) I put my tie off thread in before I start the forhan wraps and then make one last blank wrap after the final forhan wrap and then tie it off.

cheers
Harold



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/29/2009 11:04PM by Harold Dean.

No not "6 or 7 wraps! When you go around the guide, you then go around the blank back to the guide for the second locking wrap and so forth.

check this out [www.rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com

Find some good pics of how the epoxy is laid over the wraps. This is key. You want the epoxy to seal, lock and hold your wraps tightly in place. You want to keep the wraps tightly packed together. Flow the epoxy around the wraps good, sealing from the top, down into the space between the locking wraps and the guide well.

Kyle Robinson

Bob;
After you complete the Forhan wrap. Look at the guide from the tip end of the rod. You should see the Forhan Wraps making a figure 8 pattern between the guide leg and the blank. If you don't see those threads crossing each other, making that figure 8 pattern, you did it wrong. Got to bring the thread around the blank once behind the guide leg,( that's the first bocking wrap 360 deg) then under the leg, up over the leg, then under the leg (360 deg around the leg) before continuing on around the blank the same direction as the first blocking wrap. Go around the leg 3 times like that then 2 more blocking wraps around the blank and tie off. You have made 3 Locking Wraps and 3 Blocking Wraps.
It's a little tricky until you get one made correctly, then it's a snap.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY

Bob - which size guides and manufacturer - thread size ?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2009 09:06AM by Bill Stevens.

Perhaps I am just not visual enough. I have looked at the instructions a dozen times and still can't figure it out. Fortunately I have someone close by who has volunteered to SHOW me how to do this wrap.
Headed to Google Video to see if there is a video posted of doing this wrap. That would do the trick for me.

Assuming that you are warping the single foot guide from left to right with the thread coming over the top of the blank.

When you start the Forhan locking wrap place one security wrap around the blank in front of the guide and then on the next wrap place the thread in front of the guide foot and then bring it immediately back over the guide ring/foot and then back in front of the guide and back around the blank. Do this 3 times for 3 locking wraps and then 2 more wraps in front of the guide foot with the last 2 security wraps around the blank only. I find that for me when I am applying the locking wraps that I use a rocking motion of the blank with the left hand while holding the thread with the right hand. By a rocking motion I mean that I move the guide back and forth as I place the thread around the guide foot. Hope this helps.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2009 01:10PM by Dave Wylie.

Try to visualize this ( not trying to get nasty ) With the foot facing to the left - you wrap over the foot up to the post that holds the ring. Now go to the right of the ring and wrap once around the blank, when you come around to the ring again, go to the right past the ring, now push the thread to the left -behind- the ring, around it bringing it towards you, back to the right of the ring. Now go around the blank. One locking wrap. Back to the right of the ring, past, push the thread to the left, around the post again then around the blank Two wraps. Now one more and then several wraps around the blank.

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
Excellent description!

Remember, the Forhan locking wrap is clearly defined by Mr. Forhan.

However, you can make any variation to that wrap and still have a locking wrap that may suit you better and or may be more or less effective.

You can use a single locking wrap, and one guide wrap, a double locking wrap and a double or triple or quad guide wrap.

It is really up to you.

Make the wrap that does the job for you and serves its purpose. Mr. Forhan has defined and described an excellent wrap that is used by many many rod builders.

However, if you like a different wrap that does the job - go for it.

You might find an even better wrap. If you do, please share it with the rest of us.

Take care
Roger

Roger:

I was trying to wrap in my mind as I was typing. Guess I am not as senile as I thought ?? LOL

Bill - willierods.com

There are several articles and tutorials around but the 1 in the library here with several photos by the man that came up with this is pretty much as good as you are gonna find.

Thanks for all the replies. I just tried it, and it was a piece of cake. Using Gudebrod A and Fuji guides.