I've been reading and strongly identifying with the folks who have posted recently about CP problems. My question is this--every rod building book I've read strongly recommends against using NCP thread, but they never say why. These would be fly rod building books. What's the deal with NCP? Will it save me from my CP headaches, or is it somehow worse?

Bryon, I use NCP thread almost exclusively to elininate using CP, but I also use a solvent based finish (Crystal Coat). I don't know why flyrod building books would advise against it. I have great luck with it on spinning and casting rods. NCP thread in any given size has a little less tensile strength than nylon, but that is negated once the finish is applied. It also has more of a tendency to frizz than nylon, which can cause lumps in the finish if not caught. It also has less lustre than nylon. The primary thing is that it traps air more easily than nylon and therefore the first coat of finish should be very thin to allow the bubbles to burst. After that the finish may be applied as heavily as you wish. If I want to really add some pizzazz to the wrap, I give the thread one very thin coat and immediately sprinkle on a very fine glitter as the rod is rotating. After drying for about 12 hours I then brush off any excess or loose glitter with a stiff bristle brush, then apply second or third coats as required. Keep in mind that all I have offered is based on using a solvent based finish. It penetrates the thread very easily and provides a great bond to the rod. The first coat is everything...Thin, thin, thin.
Hope this helps a little.....Dave

NCP has a very dull, paint-like appearance. I would suppose that many fly rod type books speak against it because of the very fact that it will not bleed under finish and turn transparent like the thread on most all commercially made fly rods. Instead, it will show its trye color and that seems to be a real no-no with some of the fly rod guys.

Other than that, there's no reason not to use it if you want the bright color but would prefer not to use CP.

...............................

Byron,
I don't believe the condemnation for using NCP is as strong as it seems. There is quite a bit of it being sold, so it must to used to a fairly great extent. Regular nylon thread for fly rods, and maybe often without color preserver is probably more common no doubt. . It's not so much that there is something 'wrong' with using C.P. or NCP thread.
NCP colors are more flat or have a 'painted' appearace and are treated so that no C.P. is required. It really boils down to a preference thing and not something funtional or structural on the rod.

The 'problems' and observations discussed in many circles about the use or non-use of C.P. is probably no more or less than discussions about problems that are encountered with a finish or any substance applied to wraps that require proper mixing, or application procedures. Occasionally a batch of something can be the culprit but more often is related to some short cuts that simply don't work as well as following the manufacturers instructions.

Just to keep things in perspective, it may sometimes require some getting use to products such as CP or practice more the skills in thier usage. NCP thread will no further solve CP problems than using any other thread without CP. It's really a matter of what look one would like with the wraps...in other words more to do with appearance than function.

my two cents.

Rich
Solyrich Custom Rods