Hello .

I use the size A since a long time.
But with Micro Guide , and because weight is the issue , would it be reasonable to use a finer thread that the conventional size A ? If that exist .

I think especially in light blank ( spinning , from L up to M )
And i have a so thinner thread from sewing machine , i wonder if it would be strong enough ? i will have to make a try .

Well , i guess i'm not the first who think to it !
Any input ?

Thanks .

D.

I'd stay away from sewing machine thread. There's no telling what sort of coating it has on it.

For wrapping thread, the smallest I know of is Pearsall's Gossamer Silk. I've used it quite a bit. It's tiny, tiny. And, when you put epoxy (or permagloss) on it, you can make really low profile wraps (i.e. less weight).

If you do use it, just make sure that you use a color preserver designed for silk. Further, pay really close attention to packing your threads.

For myself, with how little thread you really use on the micro guides, I really don't think you would be saving any weight trying something other than size A. I bet if you were able to compare the thread used, there really would not be a difference IMO.

Didier;
"because weight is the issue "
I would not say it IS THE issue.

Yes; the lack of weight is one of the advantages of using Micro's, but not solely the advantage.
coupled together with the other advantages. Is what provides the performance enhancements on rods they work with.

I would follow Andrews advice and stay away from the sewing thread.

Personally have used much silk, even some two strand stuff that has worked quite well further reducing weight. I would suggest staying away from the color preserver

I have not measured Pro Wrap yet it is thin The A is a lot thinner them most

Try a search some one here ( unless they chime in ) has measured thread OD if I remember right
Also there was an article in RodMaker .

Tom I don't remember the issue ??

Bill - willierods.com

Naples or Gossamer silk would be a good choice for wrapping micros ... both to reduce weight (a small amount) and for aesthetic reasons (silk w/o preserver has a sharp look).

Alex ,,,,whats his name,,,, ( I wont attempt it ) showed me some Silk thread at the Show 2 years ago and I have been using it ever since on Micros. It is Fish Hawk Silk Sparkle #238. It ( I think) is a Black and Silver twist. Beautiful wraps with no CP. I think it is smaller than A size Nylon.

J.B.Hunt
Bowling Green, KY



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/07/2011 02:37PM by Jay Hunt.

I too have used Gossamer Silk for light fly rod, very nice with no CP (thread became translucent but you have to work on your guide foot to have a nice finish).

But I'm not sure on micro the weight saving will be noticiable.

Hello .

Thanks for your comments .

Ok , i'll stay away from sewing machine thread .(It was convenient because I have on hand )

So silk seems to be thread of choice . I've never touch one .
CP and silk ? Will silk fade with sun ? UV rays can destroy the silk? I mean silk is more fragile than nylon in the sun?

I had not yet addressed the issue. I'm going to make a search here.

D.

Silk is plenty strong enough. Many 100+ year old bamboo rods wrapped with silk are still in use today. All threads will fade in UV. CP on silk acts almost exactly the same as on nylon.

I take good notes, Ken . Thank.

Make sure that you use a CP designed for silk ... such as Al's Silk Color Rite. My personal choice is not to use CP, I like the highly translucent look of silk without preserver.

I don't think you need to go finer than size A.
I do have some 00 which says Gudebrod on the spool
and I believe this is thinner than A.
Not sure if they still make it.

I've wrapped several micro bass/inshore rods with size 00 Gudebrod silk. I stopped using it because of availability issues... standard "A" size is easier to find. I just don't think it saves that much weight, I think there is a point of diminishing returns in rodbuilding, and I think size "A" thread and micros is about as good as it gets.

In other words, I can tell the difference in weight and "feel-the-bite" sensitivity between my Patriarch spinning reel at 6.3oz. with the carbon spool, and 6.8 oz. with the aluminum spare spool, and the difference between micros and size 6 guides, but not thread below size "A".