Wrapping Guides

[Micadogs]

Hi, I'm just about to build my first serious rod. I have built a practice one about three times now.

The blank is a 7 foot GUSA 10-20lb spinning. I have purchased Fuji Titanium Sic guides, based on the Fuji new concept guides.

I'm looking for your opinions on two things: 1. Comments on what I was thinking about (written below) and 2. What you would do and why?

What I was thinking (and this is based on what I have read, seen on this forum and other online sources.

For the stripper guide and two above (i.e. the larger guides) use a size A thread underwrap (maybe with some pretty metallic thrown in) and overwrap with size C thread. For the smaller guides (especially near the tip) size A overwrap only (with good guide foot prep).

Regards Adam.

[sid_fishes]

what brand of thread will you be using??

[sleepygreg]

I would stick with A thread on all binds. If you are worried about the first couple of guides, then double overbind. Just make sure you coat each layer with a very thin coat of epoxy (including the underbind)....just enough to moisten it....not enough to give a smooth finish. Same with the final bind...thin coat to seal it. Then a flow/build coat to finish it. Most decent game rods are double or triple overbind in A thread, though there are some that use C.

Greg

[Adam_G]

Micadogs, sounds like a nice rod, what reel seat and grip setup are you using? I have recently finished a couple of SP snapper rods on 7' CTS blanks and didn't do any underbindings and all over binds in 'A' thread, some nice Kingies amonst other fish have been landed on one and no problems so far.

Greg, can I ask why you would put epoxy on the underbinds? I think I would struggle to get a thin contstant coat. Would using colour preserver do the same thing?

Adam

[Micadogs]

Hi Sid Fishers - will be using the Gudebrod brand of thread

Adam and Greg - thanks for your suggestions. Starting to get convinced to do everything in size A threads with no underwrap.

Adam, was a toss up between the GUSA blank and CTS blank. Got to feel, look at, bend the GUSA blank so that won in the end only cause of that.

Adam

[Micadogs]

Hi Adam - forgot to answer you question about reel seats and grips. The reel seat will be a fuji real seat. I have a few sitting around including the fancy ones. I also have several different grips in both EVA and Cork. It will be a split grip set up, mainly becuase A: I'm using such a small and lightweight reel Shimano Stella 4000 so dont want the grips to over power the reel and B: I wont be using this rod in rod holders, will always be holding the rod so can get away with the split grips. Regards Adam.

[sleepygreg]

Most of the threads you get now...especially the Gudebrods..are prefilled.which means they already have the colour preserver in them. The reason I use (as do most custom rod builders) a thin coat of epoxy is to 'set' the thread. so that the next overbind doesnt cut between the underbind/lower bind. Just make sure you compress each layer as well (this involves snugging up the thread with what is called a burring tool....I use the barrell of my thread holder, or a metal parker pen body) has to be round and smooth. Its easy to get a thin coat, just use a stiff bristled artists brush..the flat knap ones, and brush it out. If you want to use a filler, make sure you use the erskine water based one...dont use the solvent ones...they go yellow if you use too much. and make sure it is dry before you overbind or epoxy...otherwise you will get a milky finish.

Greg

[Mark Fisher]

Adam,

There are 2 main reasons to use an underwrap on guides:

1. To provide a cushion for the guide foot to sit on preventing the guide foot rubbing into the blank (particularly on game rods and expensive carbon fibre rods) and;

2. For cosmetic reasons.

Personally, for the rod you are building, I would be using single foot guides like YSG's or TYSG's and then LSG's or TLSG's nearer the tip with just a single overbind. Depending on the thread (NCP or Regular) I would be using size A and probably no CP. You will get a really nice bond between the blank and your epoxy without the CP. If you use a nice coloured regular thread it will go a transluscent deeper colour when finished. I use 2 coats of Threadmaster epoxy.

The only rods I would ever do a layer of epoxy over an underwrap first would be on some of the game rods but I wouldn't worry about this in most other cases. If you are doing a double overwrap an find the top layer of thread is cutting into the bottom layer then, IMHO, you are wrapping too tightly. Ease off on the pressure and let aeach thread follow the line of the previous one. If this doesn't work, go to size B or C.

Regards
Mark