I recently ordered a blank and material for a rod build, after I placed the order I realized I had forgot to order trim thread. The shipping cost on one spool would be more than the thread so I decided this rod didnt need any trim. While I was tying some flies I had an epiphany (maybe or maybe not) I use metallic embroidery thread for for ribbing a lot of nymphs and flymphs, this thread is made up of 6 strands wound together so you can unravel them easily and use whatever number the pattern calls for. The obvious question is; has anyone ever used embroidery thread for trim thread? It appears to have the same tensile strength as rod thread and the diameter looks good. Am I a genius or am I crazy? No need to be diplomatic I have been married over 50 years and raised three daughters so I am used to criticism. Thank you

Why not? If it is only for a trim band, tensile strength doesn't matter. I would test it though....see how it reacts to epoxy.

Jim,
Simply put - test any new idea, or product before you put that idea or product in service on a final product.

i.e.
Take a piece of rod blank and do a bunch of wraps with the thread or material in question. Pack and wrap as you would with any other thread.

Put your usual number of coats on the wraps and let dry. After a couple of days, check things out. If the look is what you want - go for it. If not, stop and don't continue with that product.

You never know unless you research, test, and evaluate.

Best wishes.

It is good idea to do a test wrap and coat with epoxy . The thread might contain silicone "lubrication"

Jim,
Whether a brain storm or brain flatulence, test, test, and test again. It is not so much about strength, or even the look, but more about it the thread coating (epoxy, PG, or whatever) is compatible with the thread. Purpose-designed rod wrapping thread will accept rod wrapping finish but other threads MAY contain lubricants, as others have mentioned.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Congrats, you're the lab rat. Lol

Not World Peace. Just do it.

LMAO

I always planned on testing on an old spinning rod I have, good advice about the possibility of silicone, didn't think of that. Package says it's 100% polyester so I think it will work, we shall see. I was really hoping someone in the forum had tried it and could give me a yea or nay but judging from the comments apparently that is not the case. I will try it and report back so hopefully others can benefit from my lab rat status, if it works it would provide an alternative thread. Thanks for the comments

Jim,
There are thousands of rod builders who have used nylon thread, polyester thread, embroidery thread with great success with using the thread for rod builds.

Simply protect your self and fully test any unknown thread that you use to build a rod before putting it into a final product.

Best wishes.

The reason for testing is that many embroidery threads can be used in sewing machines and because of this a silicone based lubricant may have been added during manufacturing. Such lubricants can cause the finish epoxy to ‘bead’ on the thread causing ‘fisheyes’. So it’s best to test. If you use color preserver on your wraps you should not have a problem. In fact, most decorative wraps are done using embroidery thread because of the large number of colors available, but these wraps are coated with color preserver before finishing with epoxy. You may not have a problem even without color preserver because trim wraps are small, but test to see.
Norm

Jim, I don't think such threads are necessarily marked as having been treated with silicone, although some may, due to it's making thread pass thru machines more easily. Silicone doesn't cause issues in regard to sewing machines. But it certainly does with rod epoxies.

I have several spools of metallic thread picked up at a quilt shop and they work well for trim bands. The biggest issue I see is the fraying aspect, but this is easily handled by applying a light coat of epoxy, cleaning up any burrs or popups after it is dry, and then applying additional coats of epoxy until you have the desired number. I have used these threads a number of times and have had no significant issues.