ok guys, i thought i was ready to do my first build using a tiger wrap but the practice one i did looks like crap! i think i had too much spool tension when i did the underwrap. i burnished as per doc's video, cp, light build first coat and then a high build. i only used one sacrificial thread on the top wrap and there is NO pattern. is this most likely from the underwrap being too tight or from only a single sacrificial?
oh, back to the original question; how do i remove the tiger? i think i read to use a heat gun and heat the wrap and then slice through the treads and peel off but that was for a guide wrap.
i wanna practice this again before i put it on a "real" rod.
thanks,
mick

Mick, if you can get ahold of the thread end you can unwind the thread and it will take the epoxy off for you. Use a razor blade or file and a dental pick. Take your time and don't nick the blank.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

just a ? If you got no pattern ,did you reverse your thread direction on the top wrap?
Ricky

ricky,
yes, i went left to right for the underwrap and right to left for the top. all size A thread, silver and green on the bottom and purple on top. i'm thinking the underwrap was too tight or not burnished enough.

The pattern is not created by the underwrap, it is the top wrap that creates it. You may have been too tight on the top wrap to get the movement needed. In essence the underwrap should be stable and the overwrap has the movement.

If you heat the finish gently with an alcohol flame (2-3 seconds is all that is needed) you can pick off the finish and expose your thread. Use a dental pick or a pointy but dull tool to get a thread started, then you can unwrap and remove the finish at the same time, or what Russ said. :-)

Terry

Mick,Russell and Terry gave god advice. Only other thing is every time I have moved away from black and white under wrap I have not gotten good results. You might try black and yellow with the purple.The bottom wrap does need to loose enough to brunish in differnt direction .
Also it seems the more finish coats on the bottom wrap the better the effect.
Ricky

Heat gun is the way to go Mick. Cut off a tiger last week for same problem...lack of movement. Was experimenting with some holoshimmer to try for
a different effect. Not worky to good.

i think i figured out the problem...other than getting old and forgetful!! i went back and watched doc ski's video again; I FORGOT TO BURNISH THE TOP WRAP!!!!!!!!
got the old wrap cut off; back to the drawing board!