Learning To Do Decorative Wraps On Fishing Rods

As I seem to not be able to sleep much, and wanting to be quite so Ms. Joyce can sleep, I been bouncing around the inter webs, and cobb-webs in my mind. I have a hand wrapper sitting in a box waiting for this Rod Building Seminar with mud hole. I will admit I have been intrigued by the really nice art work I have seen put on some rods. The most intriguing one is actually a weave pattern of a mythical Dragon that goes 360* around the rod. More on that later. The ones I'm talking about here are Cross Wraps, though. I did one a couple of years back of a spiral wrap, Like a barbers pole type spiral. I think it was an Artic Blue/Green and Silver Metalic, if my memory serves me right. Though it don't matter. I haven't done nothing of the kind since.

And seeing's how Slab opened the Blog section up, I thought why not take anyone interested along for the ride. I been bouncing all around YouTube, even bought a couple books that was recommended, Custom Rod Thread Art by Dale Clemens, and Advanced Custom Rod Building also by Dale Clemens. On one of the video's I was watching, Another book was Suggested, but I haven't been able to locate it, and that's Decorative Wraps by Billy Vivona. Of coarse there's programs that you can purchase like Visual Wraps or Visual Weaves, but I don't want to spend that kind of money just yet. Well, I will be posting up some pictures of my Adventures in Rod Wrapping soon. Stay Tuned...

Ok, I started a practice wrap on a wooden dowel. Trying to start from memory and I got the spacing wrong. I was going for a chevron wrap, and some how got it in my head the spacing should only be as far apart as the rod is wide, it i measured 10.7mm on a caliper so the crosses should only be 10.7mm aprt. After watching a couple videos today, They said the crosses should be 1inch apart, no matter the diameter of the rod. Seeings how this is just practice I continued with what I had, and concentrating on laying the thread, (Coats and Clark Embroidery thread), right next to the previous thread. In the third picture that is 5 wraps down and back, or left then right for each of the two colors teal and metallic silver. ¹Attachment 502772Attachment 502773Attachment 502774

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Another thing you want is everything to stay in a straight line. Which I didn't get right here. The second diamond box from he left is not in-line with the rest, and I didn't catch it till just now. Patience, paying attention to detail and taking your time, all factor in this. Sure glad this is practice and just sewing thread. Lots cheaper than rod wrapping thread.
Oh well. Time to cut it off and start again....Attachment 502775

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With several things off on the first attempt, ie the distance spacing, and then the lineup of the crosses in a straight line, I decided to cut it off, rewatch a video, hoping to get it straight in my mind and have another go at it. I planned on trying again last night, but life once again got in the way. Ms Joyce had a Dr's appointment that lasted two hrs., then Take her home, the go grocery shopping. Went out for dinner, and I was too tired for wrapping. So here I am, to night.
I use a rechargeable light to shine down on the wrapping to see better. Well, I didn't get it charged after the last round, and now I get a break to charge it...though I did get started before it quit.
First pic is me getting the dowel marked and taped up to start. It's crucial to get the marks right to start with. Then I ran a line of black thread, and then the, I'm guessing it's an article blue, five threads each side of the black. Then the light went out. So while that's charging, I can get the dishes in the washer, and get our two fur babies fed...Attachment 502825Attachment 502826Attachment 502827Attachment 502828

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Broke out my blue led light from Slab while the other recharges...Any way, going with gold metallic as the offset color. Seems to pop out better than the silver. In this picture I have three wraps on the north side and two on the south. It's break time as the knee is talking to me. Time to stretch it a bit and walk...Attachment 502843

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You all are more than welcome to comment, critique...I think I stated I am learning. If any of you all have suggestions, or see where I can make it better, by all means, please say something. I can't improve by making the same mistake over and over. I will be getting a mini card for my camera tomorrow, so if I can figure it out how to record with it, I'll get a couple of videos out. Might be better to see and critique me...Thank you all for following along on this venture with me...

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Sorry for the hand, but it's for focus...This is five wraps each side of the Gold...Th blue is next again. Five wraps each side...Attachment 502844

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It's at this point I call it a night...my knee swollen and so is my Right foot...I'll be glad when my VA appt. Gets here in about a week. Anyway, I bid you all so-long for now. And thank you for following along this far. Please leave comments and suggestions as well as critiques. Jamesdean.Attachment 502845

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I like the innovation Eric. You certainly are one busy fella…

Yes Sir, A little too busy to be Retired. Always thought I'd have plenty of time to fish and relax when I retired, Ha, Ha, Ha...Kids are grown and scattered to the wind, Momma (Ms Joyce, My better half), has health issues and after 32 yrs behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler, it's catching up to her. It's a case of, If I don't do it, well, it just wont get done...I fish when I can, and tie jigs when things slow down. Now I'm adding Rod building and decorative wraps too!!! Not real sure if I'll ever really slow down...

I have watched some YouTube Videos on it. I did one by hand years ago. I need to build another one. Keep up the great work

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

I have watched some YouTube Videos on it. I did one by hand years ago. I need to build another one. Keep up the great work

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There are many great Thread Artists out there sharing their knowledge, that's for sure. Reelblue Custom Rods , Mary Christy, FDx Custom Rods, Mark Crouse, as well as many, many more. It's just insane how many there really are to be honest.

I have been wanting to build another rod lately. I can't seem to get away from work long enough to do anything. Hopefully it will slow down soon

Well folks, I did go get the Mini SD card and adapter for it. did a little test with the camera. When I went to check the quality of the video and make sure the camera was working right, I learned a little bit about computers. Not every laptop has a SD reader. I was under the assumption it would be standard equipment, kinda like turn signals on a motor vehicle...Nope, it's not. So, I did some checking and I can get an external reader that will plug into a USB port on the laptop. Would like to find one in a local brick and mortar store instead of ordering on line. But I have to have that to upload to the computer to make a youtube video to post the video here. Least that's the way I understand how that works. If I'm wrong, please let me know how to post a video on here. Thanks everyone. More content to follow...

If I am not mistaken you can get then in the sporting goods sections where they have them for use with trail cameras as well as most electronics sections as well. Should be pretty easy to find

Probably find at Walmart too.

It's been storming here for several days...but not tonight, so I'm back at my practicing the Rod Wrapping again. Tried setting up the camera, but it kept shutting off every couple minutes. It got aggrivating, so it got set aside for a bit...I did a color change to a darker blue to offset the artic blue. What's your alls opinion???yea, or nay???
Yes it needs packing on the threads yet, but I still have a few more laps on both sides yet...Attachment 503032

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Here's a bit more from tonight.Attachment 503033Attachment 503034

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And to finish it out for tonight, or should I say this morning...Three shades of Green. I kinda like it 'cause it's different. What y'all think???Attachment 503035Attachment 503036Attachment 503037Attachment 503038

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Looking Good!!! :ThumbsUp :cheers2

:hesaid :ThumbsUp

Even though I like the finish, It would have been better if I had the fade in blue. But, alas, I didn't have them. As stated before this is only a practice piece. When I get to Walmart, or Hobby Lobby again, I'll get some Blue Upholstery thread, and take the green out, and redo it with the blue. All in All, I think the exercise was a success.

You going to use color preserver & epoxy on the thread finish?

BTW if you haven't noticed I like pictures. I re-read the posts and it looks like a tight wrap to me.

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Originally Posted by Rojo

You going to use color preserver & epoxy on the thread finish?

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Yes Sir, I'll be using some Epoxy. Not sure of the durability of just Color Preserver by itself. This is just a wooden dowel from the hobby section at Wally World, so not sure. There is enough room on either end to do additional Wraps on, making three on this one. Need to find some straight ones. May hit up some of the thrift stores and get some old rods and strip em down and use the bottom of the rods on older ones for practice. The better ones, refurbish them up and donate them to youth groups around town...

Well another session this afternoon. Putting the securing wraps on the ends...Attachment 503067

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Well, I did that one wrong, left side. Tuned around and did the right end wrong too. Can you spot the mistake???Attachment 503068

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I can spot things I did wrong in the pictures, like Threads that crossed over where they shouldn't be a couple rows of thread in the wrong color. Thread wraps to tight in one spot, and way to lose in another spot on the same diamond. But with the naked eye I could not see them. It wasn't till the close-up with the camera did I see them. I had mentioned to Ms. Joyce on the first night of wrapping I was going to need a lighted magnifying glass...We will see what happens.

Before tying off the end wrap, one must get rid of the excess wrapping from the design, and wrap over the end of the loose threads to tidy it up..
After a couple of ooops, that's not right, I finally got it right...at any rate, to do it right, you start the end wrap to secure the threads, I did roughly twenty wraps or so. Then keeping tension on the wrapping thread, cut the thread between the securing wraps and the tape, making sure not to nick the blank. Then slice through the layers of tape, again, don't cut the blank. Once you have all that removed, continue with the securing wraps to cover the loose ends.Attachment 503069Attachment 503070Attachment 503072Attachment 503073Attachment 503074Attachment 503075Attachment 503076Attachment 503069

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Originally Posted by Jamesdean

Yes Sir, I'll be using some Epoxy. Not sure of the durability of just Color Preserver by itself. This is just a wooden dowel from the hobby section at Wally World, so not sure. There is enough room on either end to do additional Wraps on, making three on this one. Need to find some straight ones. May hit up some of the thrift stores and get some old rods and strip em down and use the bottom of the rods on older ones for practice. The better ones, refurbish them up and donate them to youth groups around town...

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Color preserver prevents the epoxy from darkening the threads when you wet them out. You put the color preserver on first then when dry put the epoxy over the top.

I have some Color preserver I bought, like 4-0z container from mud hole. I originally purchased the Color Preserver to do Feather in-lays, to hold the feather in place till epoxy is placed over the feather. They sent me all the supplies for the seminar/class for the weekend of May 24-25th but I don't want to get into that, so I'll get some epoxy ordered up.

I don't know what happened with the little camera. only one picture and one 12second video from when I first loaded the card. Nothing from the wrapping segment. Wish I could find the book for it, even though I probably wouldn't understand it...

Not sure if this will work, but I'll try. If it does it's a short video of the wrap finished prior to Color preserver or epoxy...http://www.youtube.com/shorts/OFYwRISPs1k

Well, It says not available no more. However if you go to YouTube videos, in the search bar at the top type in @ericpierce4510 it will take you to my video page. there is 3 regular videos and 1 shorts video. What I tried to post is the short video. Its about 0:12 seconds long. Sorry for all the hoops, and I'll try to get better at this...Thank you all.

Here is your YouTube page.
Eric Pierce - YouTube

https://youtu.be/0FYwRISPs1k?si=pa6estNmBOuAuhNk

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Originally Posted by SuperDave336

Here is your YouTube page.
Eric Pierce - YouTube

https://youtu.be/0FYwRISPs1k?si=pa6estNmBOuAuhNk

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Thank you Dave for getting it straight for me.

There is a second Short video on my channel now, showing the same wrap with two coats of Color Preserver applied. Follow the directions above to see it. Thank you. Eric.

https://youtu.be/fAknnmBD1Ow?si=cm2W44Qi564S2jFF

Thank you to whom ever got the video to post.

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