Is it possible to burnish thread wraps so roughly that it causes fuzzies? Can they be so fine so as not to be seen in less than optimal light conditions in which I work? I burnished some wraps with a steel pair of tweezers and I'm wondering if that's the problem. Maybe I caused them?

Bruce,
This is certainly possible.

Just to verify the problem, take a scrap blank, use the same thread and lay out a piece of wrap - good and tight.

Use a strong light, and a magnifier, and check for fuzzies.

Then, use gentle burnishing, and check again.

Finally use the same thing that you used on the rod in question to see if you raise the fuzzies.

If, at any time you see the fuzzies raised, you know the issue.

It is possible that you simply have a bad spool of thread. It happens very seldom, but when it happens, it is likely that the entire spool will be bad.

If you do find a bad spool, don't fool around - throw it into the garbage, so that there is no possibility that the thread will be used on another build.

Good luck
Roger

If the tweezers have corners or edges that may be the cause. Most good burnishers are rounded without any edges. A rounded item unless the surface is rough should not cause "fuzzies."

The one thing I have done for years Bruce is run a low torch flame over the wraps as it spins. This has worked well for me over the years. Just an FYI for you if you want to give it a try.

Tight lines,

John Hernandez

The suggestions above are great, May I add one, I dampen my thread with distiled water then pack and the lightlythis should flatten the thread, burnish in one direction toward the ring

Good Wraps Bob

Bob,
Doesn't the thread finish just raise the fuzz again. Sounds great if it works.
I look for fuzz with a 7 diopter (2.7 mag - I think) head magnifier. I put a white paper under the wrap as I rotate VERY slowly looking for fuzzies. Then I briefly touch with the side of a butane lighter flame. Gets the big ones to a low nub but doesn't eliminate entirely. Generally it gets low enough to be covered by the finish though.
Will try the water thing. I assume it should dry 24hr before finishing. Does it ever leave the wrap mottled?? I only use dark colors - black, cobalt blue, dark green because no CP and I use dark blanks.
Regards,
Herb

After your first coat of finish when dry I hit any with 400 wet dry sandpaper. Lightly The second coat usually covers well

Bill - willierods.com

Speaking of fuzzies, has anyone had trouble with Madiera? I have been having what seems to be more than normal amount of fuzzies with this brand.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Thanks for the replies. One thing I have to do is install better lighting. The thread I am using is Fishhawk Variegated burgundy. It looks great.

I use a fly tying magnifier lamp with one of those new light bulbs Works well

Bill - willierods.com

My old eyes require that I use an Ott Light and the "headband" binocular 7diopter magnifier to all phases of the work - wrapping, guide prep and even finishing.
Herb

I fought the fuzzies a long time and discovered that the wire on the Pac Bay wrapper tensioner spring hook that allows you to back up a little had worn to the point that it was fuzzing the thread. It actually had a goove in it similar to what you normally see on the SS304 tips when someone has been using braid. So, check your tensioner if you have one. Also, those little ceramic thread guides can get a small crack in em if something gets dropped on em. I've replaced mine with Hardloy guides. However, if this is your situation, and you use a magnifier while wrapping, you'll see this coming off the spool during the wrapping process.

First fuzzies will not occur by doing this, I always do a flame touch up using a alcohol lamp, most of the time the fuzz is in the thread, always use a smooth flat ,no sharp edged tool when burnishing

Good Wraps Bob

David when using that thread use as little tension as possible, NO had burnishing, alway check the thread pass threw eyes for burrs

Good Wraps Bob

I always use a magnification on wraps to check for gaps and over wraps

Good Wraps Bob

I agree with Greg.
I recently replaced the thread guides on my tensioner with some inexpensive hardalloy guides for the same reason.

Roger

Bruce,

Had a thread going about 2 weeks ago on a similar issue. I was convinced that I was wrapping too tight - until I bought a new spool of thread. The original spool of Fishhawk nylon was bad, new spool of Gudebrod was fine.

Steve

Bob, thanks for the info on wrapping tension with Madeira. I thought I had bad thread also, but found that all of my Madeira does this. The problem was in fact the tension. I backed off a little and did a long run with no more problems. Thanks.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Hey any time, Any time I change thread companies I always do a tension test. Also when I go to craft stores for thread. I always carry a medium magnifying glass and check thread for frezzies and stains

Good Wraps Bob

Good idea.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH