Quote Originally Posted by Bruck View Post
I don't do caps generally. I have in the past and have been able to make halfway decent looking ones, but I found that I was putting more effort into the cap than into the wrapping, only to cut it off later. So my cigars are essentially cylindrical, open on both ends. I know it's not "professional looking," but I'm not trying to outdo the Cuban and Dominican experts - I'm just focused on making good tasting and burning (and inexpensive) cigars. My moochers don't seem to mind

Disclaimer: the above is not what professionals or even competent amateurs do
I don't do caps, either, except when I make a mistake and don't leave enough wrapper to make a pigtail. I aim to finish the roll with a long tag of wrapper that I just twist until it curls on itself and makes a pigtail. I then tuck the upper length of the pigtail into the bottom of the first curl so it locks in place without tying. Bad description, I'm afraid - sorry. I'll try to get a picture sometime, but no promises. :-)

Oh, and as far as what pros and competent amateurs don't do - I lightly fold/roll each of my filler leaves basically in the "en tubado" method. Only I do one at a time, on my cutting board, and then lay them folded under my chaveta until all have been folded (rolled). Then I pick them all up, arrange them with the ligero at the center, and roll them in the binder. I'm just not coordinated enough, nor interested enough in developing the coordination, to do the whole en tubado process in my hand.

I've come to the conclusion that it works best for me to cut the leaves to length first (which I think @Bruck suggested elsewhere), and then to evenly "fit in" any scraps. I just lay the scraps on top of each full-length leaf, and roll them inside when I make make my tubes.