I am currently - right now - wrapping a fly rod with Midnight Black Nylon thread and find it slippery. So slippery that it squeeses a s/f guide out from under the wrap. I solved that prob by double wrapping with elastic thread.
Big question is whether the thread absorbs finish and does the finish migrates all the way through to the blank as does Gudebrod - or - does the finish just sit on thread as though I had used CP.
Thanks,
Herb

I have never had any problems with the Pac Bay thread. The epoxy does penetrate just like Gudebrod. I also have never experienced the slipping problem you mention.

Phil,
Thanks for quick response - I will continue wrapping.

It looks as though thread is coated with something to make it glossy.

Thanks,
Herb

Scoff the top of the guide feet with some 220 or 320 sand paper. It will give it some grip so the thread should climb onto the foot.

Are the guides - prepped ? Or did you put them on with out doing any thing to them.

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2011 07:58AM by bill boettcher.

Hey Bill,
My guides are prepped well - I take a lot of time with them. As a matter of fact - re scuffing recommendation - the REC s/f guides are pre ground at the factory (sort-of) and they are quite rough on top and on the edges. So I have to smooth them out with 1000 grit paper or the thread is prone to fray as I pack against this roughness. The final result is still pretty rough. The tip of the guide is not factory pre-prepped at all and a lot of time is taken filing them to a fine point.
Thanks,
Herb

I have scuffed feet with 220 and never had any fraying problems.
Some times I find it helpful to push the thread about 1/4 of the way onto the foot, wrap about 5-6 turns and then pack to the end of the foot. Watch the tension it can get loose on ya.

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
I am not scuffing with the 1000 grit. I am smoothing. The s'f feet from REC come VERY rough. Will cut thread like a saw.
Herb

Herb,
I am wondering if , when prepping your guides, if you are thinning the ends of the guides, as well as running the prep up the full length of the guide.

I use either 150 or 220 grit on my 1 inch belt sander when I prep guides. I hold the guides horizonal to the direction of the I start on the tip and essentially hold the guide, so that there is realy not a rounded portion on the guide, Rather the guide pretty much makes a straight line from a razor edge at the edge of the guide foot to the end of the guide foot.

As a result of guide prep like this, and with the sanding lines running horizontal to the guide, I rarely slow down when power wrapping the guides. i.e. I start off the guide foot, encounter the guide foot and run right to the point where I need to put in my pull thread.

I have really not found any of the "factory prepped" guides that work for me. The factory may take the edge off of the blunt of guides, but really don't taper the guide foot very well.

On the note about Pac Bay thread and your comment on Slippery. I actually like pac bay and its slippery feel. The makeup of this thread realy lets me do a nice job of packing the thread.

As I said at the beginning of the post, I prefer to prep with either 150 or possibly 220. I never use anything finer than 220. I like the fine sanding grooves on the guides to help hold the thread. If, when wrapping you have your thread wrap set up correctly, the thread pretty much self packs.

Good luck
Roger

I have tried many types of thread and Pac Bay is by far my favorit, never had a problem. Finish soaks through without issue.

Thanks guys.

What I like about Gudebrod is the fact that they have size "00" in matching colors to their size "A" thread. I use the "00" thread to wrap my fly rod running guides for a smaller finished profile / weight.
Pac Bay only has size "A" for fly rods.
Herb

1000 grit is "overkill" it is almost bufing rather then sanding,. Anything more than 400 grit really isn't necessary.

Phil,
I am trying to buff the roughness out of the guide feet so I don't damage the thread as I pack.

I applied finish to a sample wrap and the finish penetrated the same as on Gudebrod thread. And this was finish that came from the freezer after 2 days so it was a little thickened - but it still prnetrated. So I may be using PB thread from now on. The only compromise is the lack of "00" size for the running guides.
Thanks for all your help.
Herb

Phil,
I am trying to buff the roughness out of the guide feet so I don't damage the thread as I pack.

I applied finish to a sample wrap and the finish penetrated the same as on Gudebrod thread. And this was finish that came from the freezer after 2 days so it was a little thickened - but it still prnetrated. So I may be using PB thread from now on. The only compromise is the lack of "00" size for the running guides.
Thanks for all your help.
Herb

Not necessary to put finish in the fridge or freezer. Let it get to room temp then use. Light finish will aso penetrate better.

1000 is to smooth. Go to about 220 - 320 - 220 works fast. .

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
The thread finish was mixed already - remember - I am the guy that extends working time by pouring small amounts on aluminum foil "trays" and freezing them. I take them out as I proceed through the wraps - don't have to rush - mix always flows easily.

I just happen to have a couple left over from 2 days ago - how's that for working time??

But - let's not get into that brouhaha again - please.
Herb

O yea, now I remember Hay if it works go for it.

Bill - willierods.com