Starting Out on a Rod Wrapping Journey
When someone commits to wrapping guides on a rod they open up a whole new world of materials, tools, jigs, chemicals and self imposed head aches.
The fun part is getting right down to spinning your thread of choice around that blank and seeing your wrapping project come to life.
For those that do not share in this experience it would seem to them that one must be a bit mad to spend the time squinting and cussing their way through a rod wrapping project. Once you have started, however, wrapping generates a sense of resourceful well being that is similar to an artist delving into a new painting of their favorite subject matter.
Patience, a steady hand, good eyesight, some wrapping techniques learned and a touch of artistic talent will be the ingredients needed for a successful run at wrapping a rod. The supporting requirements, such as a place to perform this activity, materials and tools all will be thrown into the mix. If you are fortunate this will all fall into place and a great looking rod will be the proof of the pudding, so-to-speak.
Once you choose a spot to perform the actual wrapping activity be sure it is well lit. If you have eyesight that needs a boost, get a head magnifier. It is presumed that the rod sections/blanks are nearby along with the appropriate guides and hook keeper.
Since you have selected the color of your wraps all you need to do is select the type of thread then the weight of that thread and finally the manufacturer of that thread. Since there are a whole lot of choices and combinations all I can recommend is that you purchase a very good quality thread and match its size with the type of rod your going to wrap. Delicate, old school bamboo may call for a fine gossamer silk wrap and a hefty Spey rod may call for a heavy nylon wrap.
Once wrapped, your next step will be to apply a finish coating to your wraps. There are a few choices here. Dipping, brushing and dripping are some of the application processes.
Coatings of epoxy, shellac, varnish, urethane and a whole host of other specialty products, developed just for coating thread wraps, are some of your key choices.
Something to combat the enemy, DUST, will become a major priority.
It is obvious there is a lot to rod wrapping and only a rod wrapper can fully appreciate what it takes to complete a good quality wrapped rod. Manufacturers of production rods automate the complete wrapping process and, for a production rod, that is fitting. However, when someone hand builds a rod, automation would not even come close to satisfying a real rod builder or the buyer of a custom built rod.
Angibow
“The Old Rod Wrapping Ninja”
About the Author
Ninja Wrapper Productions is an entity that delves into the areas of fly fishing, rod building, rod wrapping and a few other design related activities involving interesting woodworking projects.
I hope you enjoy my article and are able take something worth while away with you when you are finished.
For further information on rod wrapping see my Rod Wrapping Ninja web site.
For a complete “How To” Guide check out my Rod Wrapping Guide.pdf or spiral bound bench copy.
Single Handed Rod Spey Casting practice session with Sage Xp 690-2 and prototype Rio i Line..
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