I got all the guides put on my first rod build yesterday and got them all aligned, so now i'm down to applying the finish. I doubt i'll get to that this evening but hopefully soon. I'll post up some pics of how the guide wraps turned out before i finish it and then some of the completed project.

Here are my questions - first, do you start with the guides nearest the tip and work your way down or nearest the butt and go up? I started at the butt and went up with the under wraps and then just worked back down when doing the guides. Biggest mistake i made was on one of the middle guides, when i marked the blank for starting, middle, and end points, i had picked up the wrong guide, and so the wraps on that one are longer than they should be. No big deal.

My second question has to do with keeping the rod still when i'm wrapping. I'm using a Flex Coat hand wrapper, and with the rod resting on the three supports, when i would wind on the thread, the rod would slide back and forth. It was difficult, impossible really, to keep it in place while i turned it. I had the little velcro strap pulled down over it, but that didn't really help. Any suggestions for the next time?

Thanks,
kevin



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2012 10:56PM by Kevin Kelly.

Hi Kevin, guide wrapping direction tip to butt or butt to tip is your personal preference. I do butt to tip but have often thought I'd be better off tip to butt so I'd get the more difficult small tip end over with.

With more experience you'll develop a lighter touch so the rod won't flop around so much. Keep practicing.

Mike

Q: My second question has to do with keeping the rod still when i'm wrapping. I'm using a Flex Coat hand wrapper, and with the rod resting on the three supports, when i would wind on the thread, the rod would slide back and forth. It was difficult, impossible really, to keep it in place while i turned it. I had the little velcro strap pulled down over it, but that didn't really help. Any suggestions for the next time?

A: Rubberbands. They have enough stick to keep the rod in place. I typically just use 1 but if you really want some hold power put one on each support.

I use the "no damage" fabric covered hair bands the gals use to hold their pony tails. They hold well and do not scratch the blank. I don't have a problem with the blank moving on me.

I used a FC hand wrapper for a while. I have my table about 2' from a wall and slide it until the butt hits the wall. Might leave a mark on the wall from time to time, bit nothing a magic eraser won't take care of. I used the rod dryer support also. The more support, the less wobble.

I wrapped by hand for years with nothing but my lap and legs to support the blank. Use a little downward pressure to keep the blank from sliding. After a time or two it will come naturrally to you. You might also buy some aircraft cable pulllies and affix them to your supports, it will work alot better.

I also use the hair bands Jerry mentions above. They work better than rubber bands as the rubber tends to "grab" the blank and make turning jerky. I use one band on each support.

If you unhide your email, I can send you a photo of the set up.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/2012 12:26PM by Phil Erickson.

Never had rubberbands grab the blank or make turning jerky. Great thing about this site is your going to get quite a few different answers. Use what works best for you!

Thanks for the replies; much appreciated.

Randolph, can you tell me more about the pulleys? Not sure that i follow.

Phil, email should be visible now. Didn't realize it was hidden before. Would love to see the pics.

kevin

Slide the finishing motor clutch up against the base of the rod butt (but not mounted in the clutch). All you have to do then, and it becomes second nature in about five minutes, is always push the rod toward the clutch.

Jim, there is NO clutch on the hand wrapper!

Right, but I think I get what he means. It does have the "self-centering chuck" or whatever they call it. Just push it up against but not into it, and let friction do the rest?

Picked up some hair bands and cup hooks on the way home. Will give 'em all a try.

Kevin, I can send you a picture of a couple of clamp-on rod rollers that I made while still hand wrapping. I clamped them to the table top. I used 2 c-clamps, attached 2 pcs of aluminum flat stock that were drilled for the hole size of the pulley wheels, put large rubber "O" rings in the pulley grooves, and had rollers for my hand wrapping. This was 42 years ago, and I still have the roller/clamps. They still work great. Let me know where to send a pic. to. This can be made to work anywhere.

Thanks. rkevinkelly@yahoo.com is my address.