looks like i have another project before my next wrap :rotf3:

good effort on the cross wrap.

Doing the thread work requires that you lay down thread , then pack it. No matter how well you lay down complicated patterns , unless you pack it showing no daylight , you are not capitalizing on all the work laying the thread down.

I find it better if I pack every 3 or 4 sets of threads (in a diamond like yours there are 4 threads in a "set" as I describe it so there are actually 12 to 16 layed down then packed) . i sometimes just lay down the whole pattern then pack but that is more work packing and more time consuming in the long run if you intend to pack until all daylight is gone.

Anyway , next rod , practice packing the thread. use the burnishing tool on almost every thread or on every 4 in the cross wrap as a beginner. You will be amazed at how much better the final product will be. You can also use the burnishing tool , as you do the guide wraps , and pack as you go.

eventually , you will be laying the thread down tighter and need little packing on the guides (but almost always a little) but you will never eliminate the need to pack the threads in the cross wrap if you want perfect work.

Congrats on #1 rod. Good Luck with 2.

when you pack... i am assuming you mean pressing the threads together.

during the diamond pattern i would do that and it always seemed to go to where it was originally laid out.

If they spring right back when you try to pack them , you probably have too much thread tension when you laid them down. The threads need to be fairly loose. tight enough so you can keep them columnated but loose enough so you can easily move them with the tip of the burnishing tool and they will stay put. there are many tricks but for you , start by wrapping the next one with less tension on the thread.

the key to pro quality cross wraps is in the packing. Anyone can figure out what order and direction , etc to lay down thread but can you pack the threads when the build up is high? When a pro looks at a cross wrap , he will not even look at the real details if he sees daylight showing through everywhere.

wrapping snob :jester:

im lucky i just got though it without snapping the thing it two!

Nice looking wrap

Wheres the full pic of it done? did you wrap the tip?

just cause you asked

http://fishingnewengland.net/gallery.../rod_a+001.jpg

what size tip did you use? The ones I got don't fit over the end of the rod :(

I like it. Looks really good. Is that the 5500 on there?

i think we went with a 7, maybe a 7.5..

what did you try?

I thought it was gonna be an 8 but i think its a 6.

package read 8-6.?. I'll bring them back next week. I'm headed to the show now so I'll catch you later.

7.5 is what is listed for the blank. Did you cast it yet? I'm anxious to hear about the action.
Should we get more while i"m in ORL?

you sound like a crack addict :rotf2::rotf2: just takes one hit.

I still got another one to make.

crap i just bought a 7 and a 6.5 hope i can squeeze it on.