As I am just starting to build rods I got some old ones to practice wrapping on and just used sewing thread for practice.
The thing is they look really good!Is there any reason that I should buy special thread and are there any downfalls to using normal sewing grade thread?
Thanks in advance Andi

Hi Andi,
I use madeira embroidery thread for most of my builds and it's fine. Due to the fact that most sewing or embroidery thread contains silicon to assist with travel through the machines you have to use cp or the silicon will cause fish eyes in the finish. Some sewing thread is not very strong and it is advisable to do a strength test before use. Anything over 0.8kg, 11/2lbs, would be ok. The madeira is about 1.1kg which is very similar to rodbuilding thread. Be sure you don't use rayon thread as it gets a lot of fuzzies and doesn't look great. Use the polyester thread such as madeira, brother mettler etc. Most companies make both so ensure you get the polyester. You will find that sewing thread has a huge colour range unlike some of the rodbuilding threads and is usually considerably cheaper. Rodbuilding thread is fine and designed for use in this purpose but a lot of builders use sewing and embroidery thread without any issues. Some builders don't like using cp on guide wraps but I have done a fair bit of testing as well as using cp on all my builds and it has never caused an issue for me.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

The only thing special about rodbuilding thread is that its lubricant free nylon thread.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

Thanks for the advice guys as a newbee to this I really appreciate it
Andi

Thread is cheap and you don't use that much of it on a build. I don't see any reason not to use rod building thead unless you are looking for a specific color that is not available.

Most U.S. sewing thread,is "mercerized" cotton and very thin and weak, IMO not at all suitable for rod wrapping. As stated above, the amount of thread used per rod is small, again IMO not worth taking the risk by skimping. Rod wrappeing nylon threads have stood the test!

I have had excellent results with Mettler's Polysheen thread, and it has a very impressive color range.
Obviously, some applications require color preserver, but others don't. For instance, Rust (ref. 1342) without CP will give you a close match to a Tiger Eye finish.
A very pleasant thread to work with.

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Prostaff Rodhouse
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