I'm about 8 rods into this addiction. I'm just finishing up a 6'6" casting rod. I've been doing mostly fly rods to this point. Most of my builds have been size A black thread on NFC blanks. This time around I decided to use orange thread to match the reel in using. I've got a power wrapper as well. I can't seem to get the thread packed enough to eliminate there gaps and can see some black between some of the wraps. This is mostly on the thin part of the blank. For some reason the thicker wraps toward the butt are good. I've tried wrapping my hand as well. Why suggestions? Thanks. Gary

Pack the threads as you wrap, two or three wraps and then pack them tight! Additionally be sure you have enough tension so they are not loose.

Light colors on a dark blank will expose the wrapping problems, not have not possibly been apparent before.

I use a slightly dulled tip dental pick so it won't scratch the blank, and I can use it to push the thread wraps closer together and tighten things up and eliminate any gaps.

Pack and burnish, and/or use size B or D thread.
Norm

I use size D for my first 3 guides then size A for the rest. You can double wrap your A thread and this will eliminate any translucent when working with lighter colors on a dark blank.

Thanks for the replies. I'm packing the thread every couple wraps. I never thought of double wrapping. I'm sure that it has been hidden in the past since I mainly use black.

maybe try B thread..it,s diameter is between A and D..mudhole has a fair color selection..

I was told that the smaller diameter was easier to use and laid tighter. Again, I'm a new builder so I have no idea. What goes into thread size selection?

Gary, you have to try things..then you,ll know..

B or D thread is much easier to wrap than A, and once you finish with epoxy you can’t tell them apart.
Norm

Gary,
When you go back to fly rods - size "A" for the stripper and next guide (assuming 2nd is also a ceramic) then "00" for the runners. "00" is more friendly for small diameter tips. "00" makes for a lower profile, and more attractive, and less finish - therefore lighter rod.
Herb
CTS Rep.

00 will wrap tighter than A under the same tension, you may have to back off on tension for 00, especially on smaller diameters..

Now I'm confused. 00 thread?

Yes, there is such a thing as 00 thread, but most people don’t use it, it’s very fine.
Norm

Herb is correct, 00 would make the wraps thinner and lighter! However,it would be even more transparent than "A' and as it is not as popular as "A" the color selection is not as broad. Additionally some find it difficult to work with.

If you are actually seeing gaps between the thread wraps, they are not packed tight enough. If what you are seeing is a dark blank where the threads are together, it is because that is where it is the thinnest, and that can be helped by burnishing which flattens the threads so they mesh better.

One thing not mentioned.......is this before applying epoxy or after?

I packed and burnished as best I could. Packed after every wrap. It took me forever. I did the best I could and just epoxied it this morning. The rod is for me so I will live with it. It's only on the runners on the thinest part of the blank.

I'm building the same rod for a buddy but am using black thread. I may bump up the size.

I’ve found that with the power wrapper using fairly tight tension, keeping your thread “behind” the head of the wrap (that is so that the spool lags where it’s wrapping onto the blank), and then using the edge of a burnishing tool to press the oncoming thread tight to the wrap will help get it wel packed from the get go. I’ll still burnish well afterwards

Some of the above is hard to do when wrapping guides so you may just have to wrap a few turns and then push the thread tight to pack

I also use a power wrapper.
I use very high thread tension when wrapping. I just keep the angle of the thread to the wrapping at about 30 degrees and this keeps the thread tight and well packed.

When I say tight tension, I mean that I use as much tension as possible so that I am just barely able to rotate a guide using two thumbs on the guide. By working with nice tight tension like this, it is easy to get a tight pack with the use of the thread angle while being wrapped, and no issue with the guides moving once the wrapping is complete.

Good luck

Skip the 00, I don't care much for A for that matter, B and D for me. Never over wrap. Practice wraps till you achieve a level you're happy with.

B and D thread also, mostly B but mainly because of poor vision..