Rod Build Thread

[bigjohn358]

I have thin line masking painters tape for automotive use that I use for the guides.

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

Anyone have a tip on securing guides on the top section of a blank?

I’m fighting to get the guide to stay aligned when wrapping as the electric tape isn’t holding it tight enough. Three times now I’ve wrapped it, and it’s off center when I’m done. 🤬

I always start with the tip section since I want to get the hardest wraps out of the way.
For single foot guides, I'll wrap a cut-to-width strip of masking tape on the foot at the bend between the foot and the guide - in the direction opposite to the winding direction. After I walk the winding up the ramp, I'll pull off the tape as I'm winding.
Two-foot guides are easier since you can use masking tape to secure the off-side.
I also have a wrap of tape near all the guides with alignment marks (at the spine) to allow constant adjustments while wrapping.
In any case - DO NOT - glue the guides to the blank. Hot-melt glue is okay since it never holds a guide on narrow diameters anyway. After wrapping, you can use a burnisher or thumbnail to carefully make adjustments after wrapping and before finishing. (Just be careful to avoid loosening the locking tags on the wraps. They tend to back out at the bend if manipulated too much... and don't horse it so much that you bend metal, pull out the guide, or break the blank.)
I have a 3-foot length of a broken lightweight spinning rod which I run through the tip section guides/tiptop to check alignment. I've also run a length of white or orange backing through the assembled rod to sight the whole thing from the reel seat to the tiptop.
Don't fret too much about it since adjustments can be made up until you lock the wraps with epoxy or varnish.
It's not a fight. Have fun.

 

[BradFromPotter]

Anyone have a tip on securing guides on the top section of a blank?

I’m fighting to get the guide to stay aligned when wrapping as the electric tape isn’t holding it tight enough. Three times now I’ve wrapped it, and it’s off center when I’m done. 🤬

the little rubber bands for dental/ braces.

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[6xAdams(Jones)]

the little rubber bands for dental/ braces.

They may work for some but the ones I got from my son after he had his braces removed allowed single foot guides to move around on the small end of the blank. They may work for me now that I always file down the on-ramps. but tape and final adjustments work well enough for now. The fewer times I come close to my wraps with a razor blade, the better.

That reminds me... JimNovo, don't forget to file your guide feet to make a gentler slope for the thread to ride up on. If you're removing black paint, it can be touched up with a Birchwood-Casey bluing pen in matte black.

 

[tomgamber]

They may work for some but the ones I got from my son after he had his braces removed allowed single foot guides to move around on the small end of the blank. They may work for me now that I always file down the on-ramps. but tape and final adjustments work well enough for now. The fewer times I come close to my wraps with a razor blade, the better.

That reminds me... JimNovo, don't forget to file your guide feet to make a gentler slope for the thread to ride up on. If you're removing black paint, it can be touched up with a Birchwood-Casey bluing pen in matte black.

I used small dabs of bees wax. Had just do exa pool table slate which gave me the idea.

 

[Tfhough]

Anyone have a tip on securing guides on the top section of a blank?

I’m fighting to get the guide to stay aligned when wrapping as the electric tape isn’t holding it tight enough. Three times now I’ve wrapped it, and it’s off center when I’m done. 🤬

Proof has rolls of 1/8" stretchy tape. About $3 a roll. I love it.