New to forum and built a couple of fly rod, I would like to better understand the different qualities of threads and how crucial the thread quality is to the finished rod. Any specific recommendations on actual threads would be appreciated.

Hi Craig,

If you send me an email I can send you some information on threads that was sent to me by another member of this site, if you don't want to post your email address then go to my profile and you will find my email address there,

Any nylon thread marketed for rod building use is going to be of good quality. I'd stick with these nylons, rather than using the various rayons, cottons, etc., that you find in your local fabric shop.

..............

Note Tom said "marketed for rod building use." General purpose threads are often treated with silicone or other chemicals which will make your epoxy finish look like a dog's breakfast. Rod building is labor intensive. Saving six or eight bits on thread will make building your rod Much More labor intensive.

Craig Lund Wrote:
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> I would like to better understand the different
> qualities of threads and how crucial the thread
> quality is to the finished rod.

Consistency of color
Some size D nylon that I purchased displayed bands of color after being wrapped onto a blank. Unfortunately we were not wanting this feature. This was caused by the dying process. The thread was returned to the US manufacturer to be dyed to black.
I have received garnet thread that was from two different dye lots. It would hard to say that they were the same color. Two 4 ounce spools went into the trash.

Frayed thread
Thread used for clothing and sewing does not meet the same standards as rod wrapping thread. The ceramic guides used to guide thread onto spools may have rough edges. Although these ceramic guides may be suitable for clothing, they must be replaced for use with rod wrapping thread. Dealing with frayed thread is doable, but it is not desirable.

Turns or twists per inch
Amount of turns required per thread size to keep the thread tight

Ply
Usually 3 ply. 2 ply will open and let what is below show through.

Bonded, Soft
Soft = bare with no additives
Bonded = plies joined either by chemicals or coatings such as wax

Size
Usually expressed in the following: A, B, C, D, E, EE
A fly, bass, inshore rods
B not often used
C light surf
D heavy surf, trolling
E, EE trolling, outriggers

Of course, every builder will choose according to their needs. This could even include vision or lighting issues.

Thread stretch
This is probably more selective to the individual. I know what I like and the folks in my area prefer.

Silicone oil
Used to minimize friction when thread is passing through a needle. It repells epoxy. Silicone oil may be dispersed into the air by machines processing thread for sewing. If non silicone thread is processed in this environment it can pick up contamination.

I'm not sure as to what I may have left out. It's getting late.

I have tried to list the general characteristics of thread and give some indication as to the qualities associated with the characteristics.

Don

Don Becker

Great post Don. Very informative!

Chris - thanks for the offer to help - you can email me at gfish610@gmail.com

Chris - thanks for the offer to help - you can email me at gfish610@gmail.com

Don,

Thanks for taking the time to respond and for the education, very informative.

Thanks Phil - not necessarily looking to save money, I am more interested in building the best quality rods I can - the thread expense is pretty small in the overall picture. I've used the Fishhawk Nylon A thread to this point - just wanted to know if there was something better and if there is - what makes it better.

I'd be very happy using nothing but old Gudebrod. Some may say, "what is the point in mentioning something the new guy can't buy at the store". Well, I think is worth getting some at an @#$%& site to establish a baseline.

Russ in Hollywood, FL.

Craig Lund Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks Phil - not necessarily looking to save
> money, I am more interested in building the best
> quality rods I can - the thread expense is pretty
> small in the overall picture. I've used the
> Fishhawk Nylon A thread to this point - just
> wanted to know if there was something better and
> if there is - what makes it better.

Craig,
I'm a novice and started with ProWrap which has been very user-friendly as a beginner with entry-level skills. But I needed a light tan which ProWrap doesn't have so I got a spool of FishHawk just recently to try out. I found the Fishhawk to be difficult to use. It breaks easily and frays a LOT. When I put color preserver on it was full of bumps from the frays. Maybe one spool isn't a good sample size for an evaluation, but I was surprised at the difference in use-ability and was wondering if that's common. I put in an order for a spool of Pac Bay tan thread (amongst other stuff) to see how that behaves.
I guess when you have questions about what works better, just get some samples and try for yourself. Half the fun is in the experimenting.

John Shear
Chippewa Falls, WI

You will have to LEARN how to use the new threads - Because they are able to get Quickly

I don't like Cabelvision ---- but i HAVE to live with it -- Or no TV

Bill - willierods.com