Welcome to the Big Hammer™ Premium Lures Website - Custom Rod Buiding Section:

The purpose of this section is to provide rod building information to those who build fishing rods or are thinking of building their own rods.  I have tried to best describe what I have learned and the techniques I have developed over the years.  One of the first things I would suggest is to purchase a good rod building book.  I highly recommend "Advanced Custom Rod Building" written by Dale Clemens.  It has all the information you need to get you started on the right track.

Custom Wrapping:
The art of using thread colors and/or patterns to create a unique design.  These techniques can range from just changing colors while making a basic wrap, to a cross wrap, to an intricate weave.  I have explained a few of the techniques of both basic wraps and cross wraps.  I have also included some instructions and illustrations for setting up a cross wraps and some specific design patterns.  For more information and additional patterns I recommend the book, "Custom Thread Art" by Dale Clemens.

Using Color to Create Interesting Basic Wraps:
Changing colors while wrapping is one of the simplest ways to achieve a colorful custom looking wrap without difficult cross wraps or weaves.

Adding a new color:
I will lay down the new color a few wraps before I want it to begin and wrap over it with the original color to hold it down.  Then I wrap both simultaneously.

Deleting a new color:
To delete a color I will wrap until I want that color to stop.  Then I cut it about an inch or so from the end of the wrap.  Then I use a few wraps of the remaining color to wrap over the loose end, cut it, and continue wrapping with the remaining color.

Switching from one color to another:
To switch colors I will lay down the new color a few wraps before I want it to begin and wrap over it with the original color to hold it down.  Then while holding the wrap to prevent it from coming unwound I cut the original color thread about an inch from where I stopped wrapping (where I am going to start the new color).  Then I use a few wraps of the new thread to wrap over (hold down) the loose of the original color end and then cut it and continue wrapping with the new color.

Notes:
When switching, adding, or deleting colors I always try to keep all of the work or areas where I switched between threads, added threads, or deleted thread on the underside of the rod.

Example A:
For this wrap I start with the light color (represented by red) and wrap 1/3 of the final wrap size.  Then I add the dark color (black) and wrap both the light and dark colors for another 1/3.  Then I delete the light color and complete the wrap using the dark color.
Example B:
For this wrap I start with the primary color (represented by black) and wrap to a short distance from the center of the final wrap size.  Then I add the secondary color (red) and wrap a few wraps of both the light and dark colors.  Then I delete the light color and complete the wrap using the dark color.
Example C:
For this wrap I start the primary color (represented by black) and wrap to a short distance from the center of the final wrap size.  Then I add the secondary color (red) but I do not cut the primary color.  Instead I wrap over it with the secondary color several times.  When the secondary color is the desired length I will cut and begin to wrap over the secondary color with the primary color.
Example D:
For this wrap I start with the primary color (represented by black) and wrap to a short distance from the center of the final wrap size.  Then I add the first secondary color (gold) and secure it with one wrap of the primary color.  Then I add the second secondary color (red) and secure it and the gold with a few wraps of black.  Then I wrap the gold over the red and black for one wrap.  Then two wraps of the black over both the red and gold.  Then several stripes of the black and red like in example B above.  Then two more wraps of black followed by one stripe of gold over the red.  Then I wrap a few stripes of black over both the red and gold, cut them, and continue with the black.

Click here to view thread colors and combination suggestions.

Cross Wrapping:

There are two types of cross wraps. Closed wraps and open wraps. Closed wraps are wraps where threads are crossed over each other repeatedly until the entire blank in that area is covered with thread. Open wraps are wraps where an underwrap of one solid color of thread is wrapped first, then a cross wrap is applied over the top of the underwrap leaving some of the underwrap showing upon completion. The diamond and chevron wraps below are examples of open wraps and the other wraps are examples of closed wraps. Below are a few basic patterns and patterns I either created or derived from existing known patterns. Experiment with different colors of regular and metallic thread.

Illustrations and instructions:

Cross Wrapping Examples:

Red
Striped
Fish		 4-Sided
Striped
Fish		 Blue
Striped
Fish		 Blue Green
Striped
Fish		 Boxes Chevron Diamond
Chevron

Click on thumbnail to view larger image and notes about each wrap.

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