Have a spool of old gudebrod twist silk thread that I finally got up the nerve to try, and now I know why I've been avoiding it - I can't get it to wrap tight, the beginning of the wraps loosens up as I get closer to ending it up. I'm using single foots and have to move them back and forth a little to get them set just right, but I made my tag end long enough that I can pull it tight as I go, and still it loosens - any hints? The other silk thread I have is elephant thread, and I can't get it to tighten up either. Anybody want some silk thread?

Sure, I'll take it. I use it all the time. Silk takes some getting used to. It doesn't stretch, so it doesn't like you moving things around after you wind it on. Get the guides where you want them first. Guide foot cement works nifty if you're doing single foots on a round rod. If you are going to finish translucent, use some pine stick-um when you start the wrap.

how much silk do you have? I'll take a spool.

Thanks, it stayed tight when I quit moving it around. I think I'll hang on to the gudebrod, but if you would like to have the elephant thread, pm me where to send it.

The place I have trouble is getting the wrap started. I used Joe's pine resin stick-um for a while. It gives enough purchase to get the first wrap or two going. The problem with that is that it will shift the color of the thread, so you can't use a color preserver for finishing. A better solution is to wet a couple of inches of the silk with water. Wraps start up tight and and there is no color change when the water dries..

Glad to hear its working better for you. I prefer silk to nylon now that I have some experience with it.

PM sent.