I am new at rod building, less than a year, and I have never done a under wrap. Does the thread that I use for the under wrap need to be smaller than the thread used to wrap the guides? Thanks Phil

You have a couple of options here. First, use a small size thread for the underwrap and pack it very tight before starting the overwrap. Second, use the same size thread but seal it with a thin coat of epoxy before applying the overwrap. Otherwise you will find that the overwrap threads "cut into" and/or get wedged between underwrap threads. All this said, search through this and other forums on the use of underwraps. While they are useful when you want to make the overwrap color stand out (e.g., a darker color over white or silver), most builders will tell you they are rarely necessary and not worth the extra work and (arguably) weight.

Hello Phil.

If you don't coat (Epoxy), the under wrap it needs to be smaller than the over, if you are coating the under before over wrapping you can use whatever size you want to use to get the effect you want.

I sometimes like to use a EE Black on the bottom, coat then hit it with an over wrap of metallic Silver and Gold twisted together, some people do not like to use metallic as an over wrap but it works fine for me so far.

You can even do a weave as an under wrap, coat it and over wrap with White "A" with no CP on the white.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.