Hi all I am asking if anyone knows of a burnisher that works well for Madeira thread. I power wrap thread on and burnish at the same time. I find it effective and efficient. However this works well with thread size a or larger but I can't get it to work with Madeira thread using my plastic green burnisher. Any ideas? I love the color selection of this thread but if I have to spin the blank a few turns, then pack the thread, then spin a few turns, then pack... It takes forever. I think that my current tool doesn't have a sharp enough edge to pack this thin of thread. Boo!

Packing and burnishing are two different things! With Packing you are moving the thread to close the obvious gaps, with burnishing, you are flattening the thread slightly and creating a tighter pack.

Ok. Sorry didn't realize the distinction in terms. Thanks for pointing that out

Mike,
Increase the tension and angle on the thread when wrapping and you likely won't have to do any packing of the thread as you wrap. Just burnish and you should be good to go.

Roger

When wrapping under power I press my thumb nail against the lead edge of the wrap.
Assuming the thread tension is correct it works flawlessly.

Hi Mike,
I use a fair bit of madeira. I pack as I wrap with a plastic gudebrod tool and it works for me. I'm not using a power wrapper but wrap by hand. Do some testing on a scrap blank with different thread tension and see how it goes. I'm using the side of the tool and not the point and use a fair bit of tension.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

I had the same problem. I took a file and thinned the edge of my tool and it solved the problem. I agree with you, Madera is pretty good thread and they have great color selection.

Do it like Roger has said keeps the thread tight

Bill - willierods.com

Ok that may be the problem! I use no tension as the Madeira spool doesn't fit in my pac bay thread carriage thing. I will also try putting a better edge on the burnisher. Thanks for all the input this is really helpful info

on your pac bay thread carriage take it off and loosen the screw that holds the thread rod. slide the rod to one side enough to hold the madeira spool. retighten the screw. it will then work fine you just cant put two spools on the carriage at once

I never thought I could do that! That's genius! I love this forum!

if you want put the thread on smaller spools to fit your machine

Bill - willierods.com

Replace the rod with a longer one and put a spool (or spools) on each side

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

First learned this trick from this site... Go to the fingernail paint section at the store and pick up orange wood cuticle pusher sticks. Fabulous for thread work. Reshape the working edge with sandpaper from time to time. They last forever. Perfect for burnishing, packing and general thread fussing around!

I have two of them Reshaped and also bent so they fit nice in the hand

Bill - willierods.com