I have just finished the diamond wrap im putting on my first rod, however, i have no idea how to tie it off. any help at all would be great. I tried to do a wrap like you would on a guide but i couldnt get it to work very well. It may have been because i am so tired so i will try again tomorrow and see what happens

thanks for your time

All you need to do is wind the thread around near the end of the wrap and away from the pattern. After say 10 complete turns with the thread under tension you can cut the end of the pattern whole still keeping the locking thread under tension. Trim the end bits close to the locking wrap then once trimmed continue the locking wraps until the trimmed bits are covered. Throw you pull through finishing loop through, add a few more turns and finish it off.
No great difference to finishing the under bind of a guid wrap except the locking wrap is going over the end of the pattern.

Don't cut all the pattern threads at one time. Cut a few, make another wrap or two of the tie-off thread, then cut a few more, then wrap a or two of the tie-off, then cut a few more, etc., etc.

This will prevent a sudden bump or hump under the tie-off thread and also prevent any thread gaps in the process.

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X2 Tom. I made that mistake the first time completed a diamond pattern. Makes a big difference. Good luck MH

Or cut them at an angle all at once then wrap closed - if you burnish the cut ends so they fray and fluff out they'll lay down on the blank smoother under the locking wrap.

This video should help [www.youtube.com]

UPDATE: I messed up so bad, i had to take the entire diamond wrap off. simple mistake, didnt leave enough room for the pull threw and was to lazy to go back and unwind it. but im not that mad, i noticed a few places that i needed to repaint on the rod anyway. its my first build so im learning as im going.