I have made a few decorative butt wraps with a modest amount of success. Most have been closed wraps and I used light scribe marks on the blank to locate the axis'. I did one open wrap recently on a translucent blank and, again, I scribed the axis' layout lines with the point of a divider. I expected that the rod finish would cover these scribe marks however, I still could see them. My customer didn't notice them and loved the wrap. In hindsight, I may have scribed a bit too deep. I'm now planning another open wrap on a translucent blank with 8 axis'. I don't want layout lines that will not be hidden by the rod finish. I don't think that pencil lines will be visible long enough to complete the wrap. I've read of using strands of thread but I don't feel that they will be stabile enough to keep my pattern straight. Any suggestions?

On open wraps I use an extra fine point paint pen. Sharpie is my brand of choice but there are many different ones and all would probably work.

Paul Luechtefeld Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> On open wraps I use an extra fine point paint pen.
> Sharpie is my brand of choice but there are many
> different ones and all would probably work.


Do you then wipe the wrap with DNA to remove the paint before applying the finish?

I have always taped down a white NCP thread as the alignment line. After the first few crosses are made, you snip one end and pull them out from under the wrap.

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

Robert if the Mark's are visible then yes. But generally I make a dot at each cross point and no line. I use the but wrap alignment tool they sell at mud hole to keep the Mark's in a straight line.