Wow. When Tom posted the pic of the squigley butt wrap several years ago I must have missed where he said how he did it. I never found it and gave up trying. So the new issue of Rodmaker comes yesterday and has all the info on the Free Form thread wraps. I stayed up until 2AM this morning trying it. It is VERY difficult just like the article says. But once mastered I can see how this opens up a whole new universe for decorative thread wrapping.

I almost got finished with my first decent attempt this morning and will pick up again this afternoon and finish it. While I was working I thought about what the article said about being able to sign your name with this technique. Radical. I haven’t even finished my first wrap and already I’m thinking about what I’m going to do with this next.

Thanks for sharing your technique Tom. This one opens up a whole new world. I’m thinking of signatures, multiple colors, criss-crosses and more. Too much to process this quickly but I’m REALLY excited.

You didn't miss anything. Unless I'm forgetting something, I don't recall mentioning how I did it except to Mike Joyce and maybe a couple other guys. I had intended to pursue further variations of it but just never found the time. After this many years I decided to just put it out there and let you guys see where you can take it.

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Any one got a link to a picture of it.

Bill - willierods.com

[www.rodbuilding.org]


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O that one. I just used CP as a glue for the sharp turns. When done then CPed it and then finish.

Thanks Tom

Bill - willierods.com

There's a better way - you'll see when you get the magazine.

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Tom, in your article you say you tried making the background tacky. Did you try the spray-on adhesive used in stenciling?

Yes, with not very good results. At some point you have to use CP and or epoxy to cover the wrap and anything you have on that underwrap can affect your top coat. I tried several similar products and just couldn't get the final results I wanted. Some left fingerprints or marks from where I pushed the thread down to make the turns. Others weren't compatible with the CP and/or epoxy. But there may be some that will work and I just didn't hit on them. Give it a try and report back with your findings. The concept itself is sound and should open new doors in decorative thread art.

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I CP ed the under wrap then epoxied it. Then after it was dry I used CP to tack on the threads. Found it to work well. If I did not like the look, I could go over the CP and it would soften so I could move the threads.
Did not try but I would think that putting on the CP on the under wrap and then the top thread using CP would work also. Then a full coat of CP then finish. No compatibility problems.

Bill - willierods.com

I was thinking along the same lins Bill. Brush the CP on the thread then lay it on, a few breaths then move on. I saw this over the weekend and went right down to the wrapping table and started picking out colors for one to try!

Did this one but should have used a red instead of a brown ?? [www.rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,

That's certainly a good start. My problem with using CP was that I couldn't get the sharp turns I wanted - the CP wouldn't hold the thread in that manner. Check the cover of the magazine to see how much sharper those turns are.

It's possible that different CPs would be better than this than others. I hope guys like you will continue to experiment with the technique. That's why I put it in the magazine - to see where it can go.

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ya got me thinking Tom. Now I'm thinking of trying to wright my name holding the thread with a pick tool - to keep my fingers off - After making any sharp turns , putting on several drops of CP and setting it with a hair dryer.

Bill - willierods.com

If you succeed, post a photo. It's another good use for the technique.

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