I am new to rod building, and heard that it is a good idea to put a layer of thread under the guides to protect the blank from the guide feet scratching it.

Is this really that big of a problem and good to do, or is it not worth the extra work?

For what it's worth, I am building a bait casting saltwater surf fishing rod.

No, it's not at all necessary other than perhaps on heavy-duty big game rods.

Your guide feet should sit flat and be free of burrs and sharp edges. That is all that is necessary.

..........

I’m in n the same situation as a he OP. I ordered the best Fuji titanium guides. They appear fine as is. Is sanding them necessary?
Thank you.

Just check the bottom surface that will be on the blank. I doubt if you will feel anything sharp, but if you do, dress it off to get a smooth surface. I expect they will fit flat on the blank, but if not, a slight bend will fix it. I don't remember the last time I had to do these things to Fuji guides. Some builders sand or grind the tips of the guide feet to get a ramp for the thread to climb.. All I do is gently sand across the feet tips to give a little rougher surface for the thread. Just a few gentle strokes. I never have to grind feet, but a lot of builders will disagree. When you get to the tip wit the thread wraps, if the thread doesn't climb cleanly up the foot then just wrap about 4-5 wraps farther onto the foot then slide those threads back down toward the foot to close the gap. A thumbnail will work. You will see you have to go around the circumference of the blank to pack the threads.

Good choice on guides, Mark

No, never had a problem with the Fuji titanium guides. As mentioned above some will dress the feet of all of their guides to make wrapping easier. I personally don’t file the feet on the guides I use unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Norm



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/08/2020 11:47AM by Norman Miller.

I was planning on filing the guides, although they all appear fine. I'm using ALPS guides.

Thanks for the insights all. I am using it for bigger game fish, so I will still toss around the idea of using thread under the guides. The rod will take many trips up & down the bumpy beach, so I'm sure some extra cushion wouldn't hurt.

I believe for a long surf rod it would not hurt but it is not necessary. On the guide feet you may need to file or sand down the tips to make an easy ramp for the thread to move up to. As Michael said with the wraps; you can also do 4 or 5 up the foot past the transition and slide them back. I do this all the time to get the thread in the right place without bunching up.

I wouldn't do an under wrap on a surf casting outfit.

Robert Ford Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wouldn't do an under wrap on a surf casting
> outfit.


Can I ask why you wouldn't do it?

Wade,
It is simply not necessary.

Wade,
It is simply not necessary.

Wade Boone Wrote:
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> Robert Ford Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I wouldn't do an under wrap on a surf casting
> > outfit.
>
>
> Can I ask why you wouldn't do it?

I am a minimalist builder. I don't want the extra weight,I don't want too
many embellishments. Just my preference. I think it's overkill.