I've done 2 buttwraps now, a Spider and St Johns Cross. I was quite pleased with how they turned out but now that I've done them I see where some of the challenges lie in making them better. Mainly in getting a clean close for the pattern. I ended up closing both with black and had some overlapped threads. I think I need to do a better job on my layout, specifically the marking for my measurements. I used china marker for the first but felt the marks were too big and not defined enough meaning the thread could be off by just a tiny bit from where it needs to be. The second I used an exacto knife to put a tiny scratch in the finish. After the marks were put in place I rubbed over them with the china marker and then rubbed off the excess leaving the marker just in the scratches. I wasn't real comfortable with this method.
So my question is what are your preferred methods for making accurate layout marks? What is the best way for marking the centerline for your pattern? I'm sure there a many ways you experts do this so I look forward to your responses.

I've done only a few closed wraps up to this point but I have also used the scratch method since it leaves a nice crisp line. I'm curious why you had to fill in the lines with a marker. Did you scratch past the area on the blank that was covered by the wrap?

I screwed up something on my most recent wrap and decided it best to cut off and restart. I changed from a single axis closed wrap to a double axis closed wrap. I ended up with to many intersecting marks to keep track of so I just laid down four stips of 1/8" tape. The straight edge of the tape became my layout lines and I marked the intersection points on the tape. The tape got buried under the wrap and the only people who know are you, me and anyone else who reads this post.

Thanks,
Chad Huderle

Huderle Custom Rods
Prior Lake, MN

you can use the dec wrap jig whick makes the center line easy to make. as for the marks lay the threads in the general area then move them to the space desired. Packing the wrap is the most important part,as you do more wraps you will see how much packing the right areas will make the wrap better.

Chad - I filled the scratches with a marker for visibility. I thought it was brilliant at the time but now don't really think it was necessary. It was the scratching of the blank that made me uncomfortable.

Steve - Regarding packing the wrap... I get the impression that you get your layout threads near where they need to be but don't worry about exact placement until you are packing. If correct, can you give me a rundown on what you are watching for as you pack? The wraps I've done have been one thread at a time. I had a better idea of what I was doing on the second wrap; mostly watching that my remaining areas had the same width, corners were square, squares symmetrical. Am I on the right track?

your right about packing, /when i do the layout treads i lay them out on the marks i made, like you said the tips of the marker is not fine like you need so lay the treads on the marks and move them a mm here or there to the exact measurements you need.you be suprised you dont have to overlap treads as much as you think,you probably could have opened space for the treads,Billy has a packing tool that works much better than the standard plastic ones its really good for dec wraps.

I'm no expert on wraps/weaves, but scratching a blank just doesn't seem like a good method. I just did one and usde a sharp soft lead pencil to mark on the blank. I see no problems with it, and it appears to work just fine. Finish went on fine, no sign of any problems from the graphite. Anyone know why I shouldn't be doing this?

my favorite way is just the finest tip you can find of those silver or metallic whatever they are sharpies. a little dot and im good. keep the thread right on it and i have no problems. biggest problem is not paying attention to the layout thread and just puking the threads on the blank. but when you pack, everything moves and your wrap isnt aligned. then you have to pack everything back. lol. its worth it in the end though.

I'm relatively new to this, but I have had pretty good success using the glare line from my shop lights to keep the crossovers in a straight line. I mark the locations using a white out type pen, and re-adjust as needed to keep the spacing right.

Ask Billy Viovona, he's one of the best

I have used and on occasion still use the white china marker. I had the same frustration in not getting an exact point so after my initial threads would be laid down I would align the wrap. I always made a mark at each end of the wrap beyond where the wrap would end and would have those lined up. Then I would tape down a length of thread on those marks at each end and see how my wrap lined up on the thread and adjust as necessary.

Now I just picked up one of those white out pens at wally world and the marks were much more accurate but I still did the alignment as a force of habit

I also picked up one of Billy's packing tools at ICRBE this year and it is a great tool. Love it

I also don't like the scratch method. Just me but I don't like to scratch up the rod.