Is there another method, besides using masking tape, of holding guides on the blank to do a static test? The masking tape leaves residue on the rod, which can cause problems when wrapping.

You can use the rubber bands many kids use on their braces. They come in different sizes and are redily available on @#$%& sites. You will have to tie the weight to the tip so that there is no pressure on the guides. I will usually tie a 1/2oz weight to the line coming off the reel just to keep the line taut in the guides.

Surgical tubing also works great for that. Just cut to desired lenghts and slip as many as you need on the blank. Holds nicely and just touch them with a razor and the pop off.
I get mine through Mudhole.

Upgrade your masking tape. For the time that it is on, there should be no residure. Saying that, I use 3M 1/4 inch masking tape from the the local auto parts supplier.

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON

Elastic sewing thread is available at sewing supply stores. Four or five tight turns with this thread - finished with a square knot - will not only secure the guide for testing but since the rubber core of the thread is wrapped in thread it's easy to slide your guides up and down the blank to achieve the ideal guide location. When you have located your guide the thread will literally jump off the blank if you touch the thread with a razor blade.
I leave the elastic thread on, slide it away from the end of the guide foot, and use it to hold the guide until I have completed one half or three quarters of my guide wraps, touch the square knot with a double-edged razor blade, and then complete the guide wraps. No residue, easy to adjust guides, quick, and cheap.

Thanks Phil - that sounds like a trip to a sewing center!

Hi Ken,
I'll second Phil's suggestion of sewing elastic, makes things a lot easier than tape. Get the smallest diameter elastic you can and you can get more wraps than a larger diameter.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Phil Ewanicki Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Elastic sewing thread is available at sewing
> supply stores. Four or five tight turns with this
> thread - finished with a square knot - will not
> only secure the guide for testing but since the
> rubber core of the thread is wrapped in thread
> it's easy to slide your guides up and down the
> blank to achieve the ideal guide location. When
> you have located your guide the thread will
> literally jump off the blank if you touch the
> thread with a razor blade.
> I leave the elastic thread on, slide it away from
> the end of the guide foot, and use it to hold the
> guide until I have completed one half or three
> quarters of my guide wraps, touch the square knot
> with a double-edged razor blade, and then complete
> the guide wraps. No residue, easy to adjust
> guides, quick, and cheap.


Thanks Phil, that's a first rate tip for us new comers!

I like using the small zip ties from Lance @ Swampland or Walmart. I like to put them on snug a couple of inches ahead and them slide them in place. But you have to make sure he bottom of the feet are clean from burrs or it can scuff the blank.

Sounds like i will have to give that a try also Phil, cause when i get towards the tip with the small rubber bands, they're still not tight enough to hold very well, sounds like a trip to the sewing store for me too.

Another good choice is the smallest diameter gas tu
bing for rc cars. however doesnt always work on large diameter rods

These work great on the upper half of most freshwater rods. Fast, no knots, holds tight for wrapping.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]

_________________________________________
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That's sort of the whole point." - Thomas McGuane