All,

Relatively new to rod building(<4 years) and was thinking of other methods to secure guides instead of common whipping with various color threads.

Any feedback on using a larger, stronger thread(like kevlar thread) and using a different knot design like french whipping or west country whipping?

Kevlar only comes in yellow but having some three dimensional detail or wrapping your guide with 6-10 wraps and exposing part of the foot instead of 40 would give it a primitive look(maybe my skill level is just primitive).

I've haven't found this discussed previously so maybe there is a reason.

I tested this using a size tex 300 kevlar thread on a Fiji KW 30 using west country whipping style. I've not tested epoxy over it nor trimmed/secured the wrap knot. Unable to post picture until user verified on photos site.

Regards,

Roy

Nylon thread wraps aren't weak. Nobody is having problems with guides breaking or tearing out of the wraps. That's probably why nobody is looking for something "stronger."

Throughout rod building/manufacturing history, a large number of bindings have been used - copper wire and shrink tape to name a few. Through it all, nylon thread has long been considered the state of the art in thread bindings.

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

Well i'm not the most experienced but in regards to alternative methods and alternative materials to wrap guides that topic has been discussed for years and quite a detailed one happened just a few weeks ago actually . Not only is nylon thread strong enough most builders prefer to wrap with size A or B . If you have trouble seeing what you're doing wear readers and only work with plenty of light .

I do understand that when starting out it's very easy to become somewhat disillusioned with the whole thread wrapping part , i actually had to hang a big image in front of me showing the proper way to start a thread wrap , it took some time but it becomes second nature very quickly . The key is patience, (Which i lack) but NEVER rush any part of rod building you will regret it.

Let us not forget thread-less wraps. They are PLENTY strong!!

I guess I shouldn't have mentioned "stronger" since I was not intimating normal thread is not adequate. I'm interested in using a larger diameter thread to perform less wraps and show knot detail/weave patterns. The normal wraps are two dimensional and was wondering thoughts. I did see one article in the library on texturizing wraps: [www.rodbuilding.org]

I guess I need to just try it and see how I like it.

Kevlar thread ???? color ??? more than YELLOW I think but not a ton , but more than Yellow , I don't know how the EPOXY works with it , let us know

William Sidney
AK

hi Roy..i have been working on something very similar to what you asked about because of my poor vision..so far i,m using D-thread and wrapping the guides on backwards using all single foots..instead of wrapping from toe to eye i,m wrapping eye to toe..once i make the first 3 starting wraps the guide is placed under the next wrap and two more wraps are made without turning the rod..i use a fly bobbin and reach under and over to put initial wraps on the guide..no tape or glue is needed..now just turn the rod to put more wraps on and ty off loop in..stop at the guide tip..i don,t wrap the guide tip/slope..simply whip finish..this method has really helped me with the micro guides...

I would think any material that has zero, or near zero stretch would make it difficult to secure the guide to the blank adequately. Seems like a recipe for failure to me. As far as different ways to secure your wraps, as the thread that Herb referenced pretty much concluded, there aren't many ways easier than pulling the tag end back under the wrap.

The same epoxy used to make glass canoes and boats is also used with Kevlar cloth.

I have tried using Kevlar. don't waste your time.
David hit the nail on the head. with out the stretch it just dos not work well

Bought 3 spools to try about 5 years ago.
still have spools minus 2ft.
one day ill figure out something to use them for

Steve,
Kevlar makes wonderfully strong cordage. You could set up a spinning system and create some cordage with your thread that would be really nice and strong and free of stretch.

You could also use the thread to weave some kevlar cloth and make a nice bullet proof vest if you wish.

Good luck

The this country is headed might need the vest

Steve you seem to have lost your "WAY" and your "YOU".


Sorry Steve I couldn't resist.



Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2019 01:04PM by Robert A. Guist.

Robert
no need to be sorry

One day, I'll find my way back to me