First thing is I would like to wish everyone on the board a Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year. I also want to thank all the guys that know what they are doing and able to answer all the question we give you.
I have gotten to the point where I am able to do a fair butt wrap but am having problem with both end of wraps. After doing the wrap I put CP on and let dry. I then go back and pull off all the tape on both end and cut off tag as close as I can. Here where I am having problems.
When trying to do a wrap over the end it does not cover up everthing. I have started putting a 1/8 band of tape at the end and then wraping over the tape. This cover up the end to a fair amount. What am I missing or what is the best way to do the ends.
BigAl (Al Bassett)

Al - I have posted a rather lengthy thread on how I tie off my butt wraps - I will look for it tomorrow night and post it here. If you apply the CP prior to tying off, it is harder to get a smooth tie off because all the threads get stiff from the CP. I tie off right after completing teh wrap, starting at teh last pattern, and moving away - after about 1/2 inch, I take a piece of masking tape over the wrapped portion, and then CAREFULLY slice off the excess threads with a razor. THis cut is tapered so the thread gradually drops down to the blank with no gaps. When done with the tie off, CP, then epoxy, then another layer of thread.

When I find the longer version of this, I'll post it. BIlly

I use cp up to where I am going to start my end wrap, I cut off one thread at a time about a 1/4 turn I stop and cut a thread or two.. This takes a while but the transation from thread to blank is a gradual slope, instead of all the sudden.. Thanks Dave

I put cP on my pattern only then after it has set I cut off the pattern strans at a bevel one at a time. with a razor .I leave about 1/2 inch of loose strans then I wet these strans with water and flaten down to the rod then after they are in position let this dry before I start to wrap over them.
The other 2 threads be for mine are excellant thoughts. Time and patients works great. Some times I start on the pattern and work down as I get near the end I take indivedual threads and cut them off as I wrap down

Al,

In my book, I mentioned doing a double overwrap for the tie-offs. Wrap as usaul to tie-off and then as you approach the grip, or upper most end on the upper tie-off, push the thread back on itself and wrap back down to where you started. This double overwrap will hide and eliminate unsightly gaps and bulges. Once finished, only a very, very close look will reveal that it is a double overwrap.

Dave's tip on cutting the threads just a few at a time should also be employed. It keeps you from having an abrubt edge to wrap over.

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