I just spent some time wrapping a guide that turned out great, except for one thing. When i made the tie off and cut the thread i thought i was close enough. But once i pulled the line through, i got that ol' fuzzy end sticking up. Since it took some time to wrap, i don't want to have to do it again. My question is what does anyone think would be the better thing to do. Should i take the chance and try to cut the fuzz, or should i try to burn it off? I'm trying to figure out the best and safest to do this. Appreciate any advice.

I would seperate the wrap where you pulled the thread through just enough to get a razor blade between the wraps and cut it down at the blank then burnish the wrap tight....no fuzz....no tag...no worries!

Tight Lines and Bull's-eyes,

Get Bit Outdoors
407-542-7840
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Put on a coat of finish.

Razor blade: trim off the "nub" once finish has cured

Put on a 2nd coat of finish

Be happy

DR

Get Bit Outdoors.Com Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would seperate the wrap where you pulled the
> thread through just enough to get a razor blade
> between the wraps and cut it down at the blank
> then burnish the wrap tight....no fuzz....no
> tag...no worries!

Get Bit.....you must have a steady hand. Everytime I ever tried that I ended up re-wrapping! :)

I just try to open the wrap and bury it with my burnishing tool.....it works most of the time.

Then I do what Duane has siggested.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/12/2011 04:06PM by Joe Willsen.

Duanes method works for me also

Hi Jack,
If you've got a pair of hermostats use them to grap hold of the thread and then cut it off. They're very useful for stuff like that including pulling the tag end tight before you cut it off. If it's fairly large and you burn it you'll get a knob of melted nylon and you'll have to cut it off after your first coat of finish. Cut as much off as you can before you melt it.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Jack,
Just take a razor blade, cut off the guide and rewrap it.
Practice never hurts and you will be good to go.

Roger

If it's too difficult to open the wrap and get a razor in between the threads, then use two razors facing each other (kind of like scissors) to carefully trim the fuzz. After that, epoxy and trim any remnants as Duane suggested.

Dane.

2nd vote for removing the old wrap and starting over. I know it is hard to wrap them at first. Each one gets easier and you will get better at it as you go. Did you prepare your guide feet ?

Ohio Rod Builders

Canton, Ohio

Duane hit the nail on the head. That’s what I do and it always comes out perfect. Although Roger is right, practice too makes perfect.

Andres Perez
Miami, Fl

Jack,
Lots of ways to trim thread, but I prefer the use of very fine tipped fly tying scissors. These scissors with very large finger holes make quick and easy work of closely trimming tag ends.
The huge advantage of scissors, is that you never nick a wrap when trimming.

When I first started, I always used fresh one sided razor blades. Although these worked very well, it was very easy to nick a wrap with it later failing when you lest expected it to happen.
Early on, I had the misadventure to nick a few wraps, which required re wraps of the guides. One day I was over at another rod shop and the lead builder used fly tying scissors. I bought a pair of scissors those many years ago and have never used a razor blade since. No need to use a razor blade and I sharpen the scissors about once a year.

With respect to a bad tag end on a wrap. Certainly I have had a few bad cuts and or fuzzies over the years. After spending a tremendous amount of time trying to get in an extra wrap, clear a fuzzy, or some other repair on a guide wrap, I have come to the conclusion, that if the wrap did not go quickly and cleanly and is not perfect - I just shear off the wrap, re tape the guide and redo the wrap.

It is much much easier and quicker to cut off the guide and rewrap it than trying to fix a messy end, a missed wrap, a bad pack or any of another possible issues with a guide wrap.l

Bottom line, finish the wrap cut the tag end and inspect. If not perfect, cut off the guide and do it again. No sense crying over it or fussing over it. Just cut it off, redo and you will quickly be on your way.

Stuff happens. No big deal. Move on.

Be safe and enjoy wrapping.

Roger

p.s.
After the first many many wraps, it is easier.

Simply take your thumbnail and pull the section of the wrap that holds the tag end toward the tip and the tag will disappear.

Don't have a thumbnail? Grow them. They are the most important tools any rodbuilder can have.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'm going to check them all out again, and see what one i do. I may end up re-wrapping the guide, but like they say that's all part of the learning experience. Thanks again guys. Jack

Kevin has right idea. I use a pointed thread tool to open where tag comes through and manipulate tag bakc under. Then just close wrap. I get a bit nervous with razor blades incase I cut bind or slip and mark rod.