Linen wrap question ...

WilleeCue

WilleeCue

The Barefoot Cuemaker
Silver Member
Linen thread will twist badly as it comes off the spool in the vertical position.
That is why I have it in a holder that keeps the roll horizontal and it feeds off as it unrolls.
As I get to the end of the wrap it starts getting very twisted before it gets to my hand.
If I release the tension it will ball up.

If the thread is coming off the spool the same way it was put on where is all the twisting coming from?
Do you have this problem and if so how do you deal with it?

Linnen Twist.jpg
 
It's funny you recommend a simple reel to hold line. That's exactly what I have gone to. I use a Penn 3/0 fishing reel and cut line into 50 yard sections and wind it up on the reel, usually can get 5-6 cues worth on the reel without binding it up. Works really well to stop the twisting when applying to a cue for a re-wrap.
 
Kim Bye said:
Make a simple reel to hold the linen roll.
Click to expand...
But Kim, isnt transferring the linen to a reel the same as transferring it to a cue butt?
Something is causing it to twist as it comes off the spool.
That is what I do not understand ... what is causing it to twist.
 
WilleeCue said:
But Kim, isnt transferring the linen to a reel the same as transferring it to a cue butt?
Something is causing it to twist as it comes off the spool.
That is what I do not understand ... what is causing it to twist.
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I might be misunderstanding you. How do the linen twist?
I have my spool on, what essentially is a toilet roll holder :LOL: and that seems to work just fine. Make sure you have some tension on the linen, i prefer to use a bit of clear tubing and thread the linen through, so the linen doesnt dig into my fingers.
Getting a good start on the wrap is always key for a smooth wrap job, maybe that's what's causing you problems?
I like to run the lathe at really low speed as i feel that gives better control.
 
I wonder with the spool sitting in that tray if sometimes the thread falls off the end at each end, instead of spinning the spool all the time. I'd expect that to gradually pick up a twist.
 
Good morning
Most people understand what weaving machines are. There is another type in Textiles called Winding machines. Pretty simple in that multiple strings come from the back of the machine and wind together to form what we call our Irish linen. When the tensions are different in the individual strands, this will cause it to curl more coming off the spool it was wound on. To help counteract that, give yourself more room between the spool and your machine when wrapping a cue. Our standard black and white irish linen for example.
Hope this helps.
 

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Island Drive said:
Fishing line spools must be faced properly to begin.
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Some spools can be fed right off the spool how it is pictured, some braids have to come off of the end of the spool like a fishing reel spool. I like Webbs idea of giving yourself more line to work with. The tension the other mention might be better off on the linen spool itself and not the line. OP, have you tried any variations yet?
 
Island Drive said:
Fishing line spools must be faced properly to begin.
Click to expand...
Kind of. What we do in transferring irish linen to fishing line spools by hand is close but helps in the understanding.
The winding machines that transfer all of it to the final product (spools) has a set travel of width based on the length of the spool. Even the 1 pound rolls that we work with, had a hub on each side when it was spooled, keeping it from falling off the sides.
 
I had the exact problem with twisting linen. I made a spool holder to hold the spool horizontal and had nothing but problems.
My wife sews a lot (she has more sewing machines than you guys have lathes). She understands thread a lot more than I do. She said to get rid of the horizontal holder and unspool vertically. She explained that all sewing machines unspool vertically when winding bobbins. There is definite top and bottom for each spool. The thread should leave the spool at a right angle in line with the direction of the wound thread (her words). If it's twisting up quickly, the spool is upside down (my words). As mentioned above, if the tension used for wrapping is greater than what was used for winding the spool, it tends to untwist the linen strands. Adding distance is helpful. I place the spool vertically on a lazy Susan on the floor beneath the lathe. I use my foot to spin the lazy Susan pre-twisting the linen before starting. For some linen wraps, that's all that's needed. For others, I have to turn the lazy Susan to reverse any untwisting. It's a little awkward but, it works for me.
 
Mike Rys, your idea on a Lazy Susan alowing you to spin the spool of line in either direction to twist or untwist is an interesting one.
I can see how having that ability could be very helpful.

I wear a leather glove and keep a lot of tension on the line to wrap tight.
By the end of the wrap the glove has a hot spot.
Perhaps I am placing to much tension on it.
 
I grew up in WI on a lake, with a ski boat and adult and kids racing sail boats. But with the tow line for water skiing always and issue I created this, and too this day utilize this when needed.
Most ski ropes I think are around 75'.
When I was done yanking my buddies around I would do this. I had a bucket in the boat for the ski line.

When your done, you pull/feed the line into the bucket.

Next time out, you take the handle out and give yourself a couple feet of slack, whip it around in a circle and throw it out.
It unravels every time w/o ANY knots.
I can could toss the entire line out every time. w/o a catch
 
Island Drive said:
I grew up in WI on a lake, with a ski boat and adult and kids racing sail boats. But with the tow line for water skiing always and issue I created this, and too this day utilize this when needed.
Most ski ropes I think are around 75'.
When I was done yanking my buddies around I would do this. I had a bucket in the boat for the ski line.

When your done, you pull/feed the line into the bucket.

Next time out, you take the handle out and give yourself a couple feet of slack, whip it around in a circle and throw it out.
It unravels every time w/o ANY knots.
I can could toss the entire line out every time. w/o a catch
Click to expand...
I do thank you for replying to my question but fail to see the connection between ski tow rope and linen wrap thread.
Yes they are both twisted fibers but I dont think it would be practical for me to spool the thread into a bucket prior to its one time use to wrap onto a pool cue. Anyhow if I ever need to keep rope from twisting I will remember your bucket idea.
 
Thx just tossing out a comparative idea. :)
Being in auto and truck repair most my life, I always think of wayzzzzz to make repetitive issues simple.
 
The same thinking as a cuemaker (webbcues at cox.net :) learning to minimize/maximize.
It took Dave Kikel quite a few yrs before he got his cues perfected, about 88-89 he got it right and kept on improving.
Billy Stroud Taught em in the beginning.
Dave, being the son of a Judge, is real particular.
 
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