As is often the case, I whip up something and then look it over for a bit and decide it just isn't the exact look I was attempting to achieve. A day goes by, a few PM's, a few emails, another look, a few more other projects, another look, and I just come to the conclusion that the first two guides I've wrapped need to be changed to make me happy. I figured with all the postive responses that I have gotten thus far, you guys would enjoy seeing how I change the "scale" of the look I've posted up in the tutorials to better suit my preferences.

Let us begin!



(step 1) As pointed out by a rodbuilding contemporary, the white banding I pictured was a tad wide. After a bit, I had to agree. First off, there is noone more critical of my work, then me, and then followed by a fellow rodbuilder. I appreciate comments, both positive and not so positive about what I do. It is the only way for me to improve. I'm always open to suggestions that improve what I build. You should be too!

(step 2) How are we to solve this dilema? Bring out the knitting needle, that's how! With a few strokes, the start tag of the wrap is freed from the overwraps.

(step 3) Be careful, when the end is finally freed it may "spring" on you taking the wrappings with it.

(step 4) Time to apply a little finger pressure to hold down the wraps I'll be keeping.

(step 5) Unwind the wraps a few more to facilitate a good anchor point for the pull through loop. Then start winding back to the point where you've achieve the banding thickness you're after.

(step 6) Tag end pulled through and left long. Now it is time to pack the threads. At this point the white band is fairly bulky, but after packing its overall width will be reduced significantly. During the packing, take up slack with gentle pulls of the tag end until it is sufficiently taunt.



(step 7) Out come the cuticle knippers for a good cut of the tag end.

(step 8) Oh no! A little puff ball of tag end is still exposed. NO PROBLEM. Pack those threads.

(step 9) Bye bye! How's it looking? Maybe just a little more packing.

(step 10 & 11) Now that the packing is done, take a look at a couple different angles to see if there is anywhere you need to attend to. I think this one is finished.

(step 12) The before picture. I've reduced the white banding to just about half of the original and on the rod it looks exactly as I had envisioned it.

I hope you enjoyed this revision. Nothing done can't be undone when using the right method.

Dj