Is there some special method that is used to support an ultralite ice fishing rod while wrapping in order to get the necessary tension on the thread? They are so flimsy near the tip. I have just ordered two kits from Mudhole and was wondering about it before I get started. I don't use a power wrapper by the way.
Thanks in advance,
Warren

Be very careful... light thread tensions.

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Super Tight Lines......Don

Warren,
Yes, of course there is:

Here is the one that I made when I wrap flimisy tipped rods - ice rod or conventional:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

The base is part of a plastic cutting board.

The uprights are fiberglass solid blank cut offs from other rods.

I simply drilled some holes in the base to fit the base of the solid rod blanks. I put several holes in at different spacing so the rod rests could be adjusted to the need. For super flimsy tips, they are very close together. For less flimsy blank segments they are further apart.

Then, I just took a dremel tool with an abrasive cut off tool and ground a slot in the top of each rod support. I made the slot wide enough to handle the very light tips without a lot of slop.

Then, when wrapping a tip, or flimsy part of the blank, I just put the supports on each side of the guide and wrap it up. Adjust the thread tension to work to have the right amount of force on the blank. It will be somewhat lighter than larger blanks but not much lighter.

This fixture takes about 1/2 hour to build.


If you use a drill press to drill the holes in the base, they holes will be at 90 degrees to the base.

Take care
Roger

Thank you Roger, That is exactly what I need. I will have to make do with some wooden dowels though - as I dont have the solid glass rod cut-offs. I can make it work that way.

Best regards,
Warren

I have a rig like that, but still have a LOT of trouble with the tiptop. I cobbled a little piece of rod scrap into one end of my wrapping stant support to accept the tiptop eye thus supporting the tip, but it is only marginally successful. Any other tips on supporting the tip for winding?

Michael,

By the way, do you hand wrap or power wrap. If you don't power wrap, you might consider it. By having both hands available for either holding or guiding, makes the wrapping job easier on flimsy blank sections.

As long as you have your rod support within about 1/2 inch of the location that you are wrapping and have the right tension, it should be reasonably straight forward.

take care
Roger



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2012 02:48PM by roger wilson.

Hand wrap. I would have a hard time justifying a power wrapper with the number of rods I build. I only build for myself and family + a charity rod now and then. When I hit the lottery. . .