Hi,
Irish flute newbie here. I’m new to thread-lapped joints, and I’m not quite sure what to do with them. I understand that you can unwrap or re-wrap as needed depending on the tightness of the joint. If you end up unwrapping, though, is it all right to go ahead and cut the thread?
I’d appreciate any help! 
kumquattery
Sure, you can cut off the thread as needed. You can always tie more on later, if required.
Loren
I get my thread from Forrests Music in Berkeley (size EE reed thread)
and the wax is toilet ring wax, used to mount a toilet to the plumbing,
available at your local hardware store. You can order the thread from
Forrests online at:
http://www.forrestsmusic.com/thread.htm
This is the same thread Casey Burns uses on his tenons.
Have fun. 
Doc
That is a good idea Doc. I know I have some of that from when I tried to make Bassoon reeds, not as easy as one may think.
Here’s an oft-recommended tutorial on thread-wrapping which should give you a very good start. I’ve been fortunate enough that I haven’t needed to re-do the thread on my folk flute, but I’m sure that the day will come eventually. Anyway, here you go.
http://www.flutes.fsbusiness.co.uk/tenon.html
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Welcome!
Thanks everyone!
Somehow I knew I’d get the answer I needed on these forums 
!
Off to adjust my tenon thread! 
kumquattery
(apologies for emoticon misuse–but the ones on this forum are pretty cute)!
The nice thing about the toilet ring wax is that it is thick and sticky, so it doesn’t disappear. It will hold the end of the thread down, too, so you don’t need to do anything fancy to keep it on. If you need more thread, just add a bit. If you need less, take off a bit.
My boxwood came with a 6-inch piece “on top” which I take off and put back on depending on the humidity.
Toilet ring wax is nontoxic, too. It’s just industrial-strength petroleum jelly with some urethane mixed in.