Hey everyone, I am new to this board so if this has been discussed before I apologize.

I have wrapped 10-15 ocean rods in the past with no problems, but now I am getting into ultralight (2-6 pound) blanks for pan fish.

I have switched to size A thread and I am having some problems. I cannot close the gaps in the thread when burnishing. I think I may be tentioning my thread too tight. Does anyone have a rule of thumb to how tight the thread should be when wrapping?

Also is it recommended to use underwraps on an ultralight? I always used them on my heavier rods, but I am unsure of them on UL blanks.

Thanks in advance for any advise offered.

there is no need for underwraps on lighter rods. try lighter tension. the thread should be firm but still allow some movement of the guide for adjustments just not so light the guide slides around.

The UL are definitely harder to build, at least for me. I would suggest also looking at using Permagloss for finish on really light rods.

When you can pull the thread off with thumb and forefinger , the tension is about right. If it takes thumb and 2 fingers, you are probably too tight.
No under wraps needed on light ,fresh water rods.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/31/2011 02:09PM by Jay Hunt.

If you can't close the gaps in burnishing - chances are that the gaps were too large between the thread when you wrapped them. You could try packing the threads after several turns of the rod and adjusting the tension. You should be able to move 5-6 wraps of thread with your thumbnail fairly easily = if not then the threads are too tight. If they jump over each other or don't pack evenly then the thread was too loose. This is a "practice makes perfect" operation and you'll know when you get it right - there really isn't a formula or "ounces of pull". Different thread (diameters and types) 'work' differently.

It could be you aren't dressing the feet of the guides enough too. I'd much rather wrap blue water rods. BTW, you might consider no underwraps (and single foot guides) for the spinning rods at least.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Todd,
Did you use different sizes of thread?? underwrap / overwrap ,,That will cause problems also...
Just a thought..
John

Todd,.
Work on your wrapping technique, so that you don't have to pack your thread. I often hear comments about thread packing, but if you wrap tightly, the wraps will be packed when you finish.

As you wrap, if you can see either the blank, or the guide between your wraps, you are not wrapping with the threads close enough together. I generally have the thread at about 20 degrees down stream from the wraps, so that the thread is angled at 20 degrees toward the previous wrap. By doing this, the thread will self pack and not require much futher packing after the guide wrap has been completed.

Good luck
Roger

I'm new at rod building, I've done a few wraps with size D which I got used to, then I tried A and it is so much harder for me. I think it just takes more practice but for my hands D closes the gaps much easier.

Thanks everyone for the advise. I am planning to use a rod that broke a while back for some practice. I found it while cleaning out the garage this past weekend. UL is certainly harder than ocean rods.