I was asked to do a quick walk through of the method I use for tipping with Gossamer silk. I normally do a 4 turn tipping when using the fine silk.

I do all my wraps using an 'over the top' method where the thread feeds off the spool and over the top of the blank. By turning the blank counterclockwise (down) the thread is turned onto the blank.


I begin by crossing the thread over itself, and am sure to make the crossover directly below an apex.


Next I wrap the loose end of the thread around the blank one time in the same direction that I rotate it. This way I can easily keep some tension on the loose end of the thread which keeps it from unravelling on the first turn.


I rotate the rod once...


... and stop just above the apex that is above the crossover point. The thread should now be snug enough so that it doesn't unravel when I let tension off of the loose end.


Using a pair of fine point fly tying scissors, I trim the thread so there is just the slightest tag end sticking out.


Next I put in a pull loop just above the apex that is above the tag end.


I then rotate the rod 2 more times and stop at the pull loop.


Now I trim and pull the tag end of the thread through using the pull loop.


Before trimming the tag end I snug up all the wraps with a fly tying bodkin, paying special attention to the apexes of the blank. Once it is snug all the way around I trim the tag end, again using fly tying scissors. I can usually get a close enough cut so there is no fuzz sticking out, but if there is it'll be sanded or otherwise cleaned up during finishing.

Great stuff as always Chris. Really good timing in my case!

Questions (for anyone) - do you always use Gossamer tipping regardless of the size of the silk used in the main wraps? Or do you try to keep the diameters relatively close? Also if you do use a thicker trim - do you change the your procedure at all?

Thank you for taking the time to post this.

Kelvin

Beautiful work! Your attention to detail is impressive. Gives us rookies something to shoot for in workmanship. Thanks for sharing this part of the rodbuiding process.

John

Wow . In awe as usual Chris.

Nice and clean and very clear ... thanks!

You gents are really too kind - this tipping method is really surprisingly easy.

Chris
Do you always wrap to the left as in your example? Or do you wrap to the right as well?

Not that it matters but I always wrap to the left. I'm right handed and it just seems easier that way.
But I see a lot of examples of wraps going to the right like that is more common.

I always wrap right to left as I'm also more proficient that way.

I like to have my pulling loop already down on the blank before I make the 4 trim wraps. Seems to hold it a bit tighter when it's finished.

Ken

When trimming the tag end i use a paint scraper (that's what they sell it for, it's really just a razor blade in a plastic holder), which i carefully lower at a 90 deg angle to the blank. Then i cut the tag between the wraps where it surfaces. It sounds difficult and dangerous but i only have to redo every 30th wrap or so. . The advantage is that you have no loose ends sticking out above the wrap.

Karel