One of the first things that rod wrapping demands is deciding just how you are going to perform the actual wrapping process. a "Guide" is available that can take you through the whole process but you need to determine some basics first.

 

Hand wrap or machine wrap. To me it is an obvious choice. Unless you are going to wrap vast quantities of rods a good hand wrapping technique is in order. There a several rod wrapping jigs on the market or you can build your own if you are so inclined.

 

As has been stated elsewhere, be sure that the area where you intend to wrap is well lighted. Overwraps are a difficult thing to see in poor light especially if your choice of thread is silk. So splurge a bit and get yourself some good bench lighting. Combinations of "Daylight" and "Halogen" spot lights have worked best for me.

 

Once you nail down what method of actual wrapping you intend to use and the type of thread you will be wrapping the next critical process will be to establish how you intend to coat your wraps. Depending on the coating you choose the application of that coating is a critical process. Turning the rod, applying the coating to the wraps and drying the coating, in as dust free of an environment as possible, will dictate how well your wrapping project will turn out.

 

I personally designed and built a desk top rotating heat chamber for my rod wrapping setup. I suggest the following for your consideration in deciding how to approach this phase of rod wrapping.

 

If you can put your coating in a plastic applicator bottle with a needle tip do it. Bubbles are one of the enemies just as dust is. Brushing on a coating is a prime opportunity for bubbles to appear. Dripping a coating onto a rotating rod section is the absolute best way to reduce or eliminate bubbles. If you can't put your coating in a small container use a bodkin and drip it on the wraps.

 

One of the first basic errors made in the rod coating process is to rush the drying time of your coating prior to applying subsequent coats of finish. Be patient, time used drying thoroughly will save a lot of time spent removing and re-wrapping a guide because the first coat was not dry and the end result was a wrinkled wrap. Although it sometime bites, experience teaches all of us. Heed it and your success will be assured.

 

The method of wrapping the thread on the rod, lighting used, how to apply the coating and drying method are the major key decisions you need to make prior to starting your wrapping project.

 

Angibow

"The Old Rod Wrapping Ninja"

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