I'm fairly new to rod building and have experimented with different ways to attach spinning rod guides - especially those pesky small ones. I've tried using thin strips of masking tape, glue, small wire ties etc. I stumbled across a new way for me and that is to use a small strip of 3M's doube-stick tape to hold the guide on while wrapping. I also use a small strip of tape down the top of the foot making sure it is covering the toe. Makes wrapping over the foot and up the guide go much easier. Any others tried this? Any unforseen problems with it? Thanks.

Are you saying that you wrap over the tape and leave it in place?

Ron, try using elastic thread, available at any sewing supply store. Stretch the thread, take three or four turns around the blank and guide foot, tie a square knot under tension, and trim the thread ends short. The elastic thread will hold your guide firmly in place yet it will allow you to re-position the guide, and it won't leave any sticky adhesive on the rod blank. When you have wound your wrapping thread far enough up the guide foot to secure it just touch the elastic thread with a double-edged razor blade and the thread will literally jump out of your way, allowing you to complete wrapping the guide foot with a minimum of interruption and fuss. I built my first rod over 55 years ago and I have yet to find a more user-friendly method.

Phil,
That is a great idea. I use that thread to hold bait on the hook when I am surf fishing. I just never thought of using it to hold a guide in place. Thanks for the idea.
Mike Blomme

Elastic thread is the deal....used it for years.

Eddie Hinote
Guntersville, Al.

I'm a guidefoot glue guy and have found that method works the best for me. The stretch thread option is nice because you can align before wrapping if you want. Nice touch.

Terry

Elastic thread here also $0.98 at Wal-Mart, I just did a rod with the "nano micro" #1 size guides and the elastic thread was a lifesaver. I normally use sliced up surgical tubing as rubber bands but I couldn't cut them small enough for these microscopic guides. A toothpick worked really well to place and move the guides, the id of the guide locked up on the taper of the toothpick firmly and could be easily placed under the elastic and adjusted as needed.

Ron,
Tiny elastics that are normally used for dental and similar work do a very good job to attach guides with few or no issues.

Be safe

Thanks for the tip on elastic thread. I'll give it a try. I will continue to use a narrow strip of 3M tape down the top and just over the foot. That does work and eliminates the need to file down the "toe".

Phil, Thanks for the info on elastic thread. I normally use elastic bands but will go by Walmart today.

The problem with any closed elastic is that getting the right size and getting them into postion on blank in the large diameter areas, especially if you have already finished the grip, is very difficult. The elastic thread can be used on any guide even though it may be in the middle of a string of guides, like on a repair.

I'm not sure I would endorse double sided tape on top of the foot. It will prevent packing of the thread, which at some time or other, you are going to want to do. If you prep the foot with a Dremel tool or some other way to sharpen the end of the foot, use the elastic thread to hold it, and possibly tip the foot down by inserting some small thing under the eye of the guide, you should get a good, easy climb of the foot without the tape. I suspect that part of your problem with climbing the foot is that the foot is spaced off the blank by the tape under it. I'm also not sure what effect the tape may have on the thread appearance, or interaction with CP. Just my opinion- you may have a great strategy that will be proven in time.

Yes, Michael beat me to it. I wouldn't recommend using tape on top of the guide foot in lieu of proper prepping of the guide foot. It's highly desirable to have a smooth top of the guide foot for best thread packing and positioning the guide for alignment. Just my opinion here but If you are using it to help the thread climb the guide foot, then there are other solutions to that problem.

Terry

i've started wrapping the micros and some none micros down instead of up. do your blocking wraps, your twist to hold the guide, wrap down the foot and tie off. you can do this on any guide but the flatter the foot like with micros, the easier it is.

Phil,
Has the ticket. The elastic thread from the sewing stores will last quie a long time and it's pretty cheap. I just use a clove hitch in lieu of a square knot, but it really makes no difference what knot you use. I reuse mine so I don't cut them. A flick between the clove-hitch 'cross' and it drops away.

just like the Elastic thread i use rubber bands Thin

Bill - willierods.com

I use 1/16 or maybe its 1/8 green tape that can be found at specialty auto paint places, seems to work good and if I really needed it any smaller I could easily cut it in half with my knife.

glad I found this thread, great options, thanks to all for the ideas. I think I'll try the elastic thread out..

I use mini cable ties for micro guide placement , it's easy to adjust your guides to their proper location. You can wrap up to your cable tie then simply cut off the cable tie and finish your wrap. You can get them from Swampland tackle