In doing tiger wraps, 3 threaded, 2 sacrificial, I get them looking really nice but applying epoxy to the top threads I seem to move a few threads. Nothing that cant be salvaged but would like to avoid this. I have tried tightening up the thread that's staying on the final wrap. If I get it to say it's because it's tight but then have trouble burnishing for effect. Any advice ?

Robert,
Hopefully you will receive replies by those more qualified than me as I have only made 5 tiger wraps. They really do create unique and interesting wrap which draws people in for closer inspection., especially if utilizing a thick “lens” (4-6 coats) between the layers.
I tend to wrap anything with more tension than others and discovered, as you did as well, that it restricted the distortion of the wraps which limited the tiger effect. All I can offer is to find that perfect thread tension balance which allows for distorting the wraps yet tight enough to not move the threads while applying epoxy. I can only assume that you are wrapping all 3 threads and then distorting all of them by burnishing PRIOR removing the sacrificial threads.?.?.? And don’t “brush-on” the epoxy; let the rotating blank pull the epoxy drip off the bottom of the brush or spatula. I also discovered that the tension of all the threads needs to be equal; not one tighter or looser than the others.
I have only made 3-thread tigers with 1-sacrificial. How different does your 2-sacrificial look? Got pics?

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

Robert,
Oops! It has been quite a while since I made my last tiger wrap and just remembered that I also had 2 sacrificial threads rather than the 1 mentioned above.

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

CP is not as viscous as epoxy. Apply CP first after burnishing and it shouldn’t move as much as the epoxy does. When the CP dries it will hold the threads in place for the epoxy. That is what I do.

I know some folks get decent results burnishing the top threads. I belive Scott Throop just did the bottom layer, and his tigers are awesome. I get good results just doing the bottom, either two or three threads.

Again, I’m not an authority on tigers by any means, but I cannot imagine achieving maximum effect with only distorting one of the layers of thread. There are a number of videos on tigers and many mention and acknowledge Scott Throop as the inventor; all of them (including Doc Ski and Bill Falconer) distort both layers. The first test tiger I made had too much thread tension to get a nice, pronounced distortion of the thread (both layers) and hence turned-out rather bland. Backing-off the tension allowed for more distortion and consequently a much more irregular, random and pronounced effect. It only seems logical that the more distortion of the thread wraps = the better and many of the videos emphasize so.

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

After burnishing the top threads, I put heat on the threads with a heat gun. After it has cooled I then remove the sacrificial threads. I try to not pull on the threads. Turn the rod and only apply enough pull to get the threads to drop off the bottom of the rod. Then apply CP by dripping it on the rod without touching the thread with the brush any more than you need to, using a very long, soft bristle brush makes it easier. I put paper or cardboard under the rod to catch all of the CP that runs off of the rod.

Thanks everyone. I guess I can try the CP. Ive tried heat and I'm now wondering about using heat after removing the sacrificial threads.Gonna try and figure out how to post a photo on here.

For the life of me I can't figure out how to post a pic. I am registered at the photo site and can login fine. But once there I see nothing to upload a photo. Looked in all the categories also.

Hello Robert.

If you are "Loged in" the button is righ under the black bar with the FAQ on it.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Guys......I thought you would apply a coat of CP...allow it to dry and THEN remove the sacrificial threads.....no?