I am working on my first rod. an 8' 4wt. Rainshadow 4 piece blank. I have the guide locations marked. I put them in place and wrap. They don't stay in line. I am using double foot snake guides. Maybe I just need to slow down but it has been a little frustrating.

Bryce Abbott
Go & Do Likewise

Bryce:

This is not unusual. If you have the correct tension, then you will be able to move the guides so that they are all inline. Gently move the guide around the blank unitl they are inline.

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON

you should be able to adjust them after they are wrapped to get them lined up.

I always have to move mine after I wrap them to align them properly. I wait on the CP and epoxy until I get them straight.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Like the others have stated, I also move the guides around after wrapping to their final alignment. I just try to get them close, not perfect, when wrapping. Also, I always leave the pulled through thread tag intact until I'm happy with the guides location. Can save you from having to redo a wrap.
Good luck,
Matt

Starting from the top and going to the butt will help you get them right After each I always adjust then go to the next guide After the seat and handle are on I then put the top and make sure it is lined up to the seat.
As I wrap line each up with the top

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2011 08:37AM by bill boettcher.

Bryce,
I try to keep the fore and aft adjustment stable. But if the guides are within a 1/2 turn when wrapping; that is fine.

I wrap them all, and then just tweak each guide unitl the alignment is perfect.

I never worry about aligning them until I am done wrapping. That way if I happen to jostle one when I am wrapping another guide, I am not upset.

Take care
Roger

All good advice from above, enjoy wrapping the rod then align them. Have Fun, don't sweat it!

Tight Lines and Bull's-eyes,

Get Bit Outdoors
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Thanks. I think I have it figured out. My wraps were way too tight.

Bryce Abbott
Go & Do Likewise

Why would you have loose thread that just leaves more room for the guides to work loose. On single foot itll pull out easier. I dont follow the thought process here.I'm not sure about the double foot i usesingle with locking wraps so I have to put them in the correct place.

Steven, are you saying that you never have to even slightly move your guides after you wrap them to get them lined up? I wrap fairly tight and use the Forhan locking system on my single foots and can still move my guides enough to line them up. They're not loose by any means. It takes some pressure and wiggling to move them, but they're not so tight that I can't budge them at all. Remember the thread holds the guide to the rod, the finish seals and locks the thread. If you can pull the guide out easily, it's too loose. No one is saying wrap loose, they're saying wrap with correct tension. Too much tension will cause failures down the road. I'm sure many here will agree with me on that.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

I get my thread wrapped half way up the foot then align the guide there might be a very small adjustment after. Roger said a half a turn and theres no way my guides will move that much. What failures can happen?

These guys are advising you wisely, they know of what they speak. Do not rush your work. You must be patient. If things start to go wrong walk away from the rod until you are mentally refreshed. I learned that from this forum. I usually wait until the next day to begin again. I'm no expert, but I usually wrap 4 guides at one sitting and leave it go until the next day.
Bruce