Here's a tip from the Volume 4 - Issue #5 issue of RodMaker magazine:
"One of the more helpful things to remember when doing almost
anything with thread is that it is made from a multitude of strands
which are twisted together. How you handle it will determine how
well it behaves, acts and looks.
When I am preparing to make my cut to finish off the thread that
came through on my "pull-through" I take care to gently twist the
thread in the direction of its manufactured twist. This helps to
draw the thread tighter and makes the cutting operation cleaner and
less likely to leave frays or wisps of thread ends.
When cutting individual threads for inlays, I will lie the thread
down on a hard plastic base and use a razor blade to cut straight
down on it. This gives me a clean edge on the cut thread end instead
of a frayed end which would result by just slicing the thread in
mid-air.
When finishing off my thread inlays, I also use the slight twist
technique before bringing the oncoming thread over the inlay thread.
This makes for a nice, tight ending to the inlay.
Finishing off decorative butt wraps calls for the opposite technique.
Instead of twisting the threads tighter, I use a blunt plastic thread
tool to roll over the ends of the threads. This tends to untwist them
and make them flatten out. Having the thread ends untwisted and
flattened makes it easier to wrap over them. It also means that the
overwrap that binds down the ends of the wrap will be less bulky
looking.
Metallics can be tricky. Sometimes you need to twist them just a
tad tighter to get a clean cut. Other times and with different
brands can mean you want to leave well enough alone and not twist
them one way or the other. Whenever you need a really crisp, straight
edge on metallic thread, the trick on cutting against a hard plastic
base or block with a razor blade will do the trick."
~ Rick Wilson . . .Alexandria, VA
Publishers note:
If you have any tips or techniques, send them
along! Help out your fellow rodmakers!
~ Publisher, FAOL
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