Howdy. This is my first post. First let me get the brown nose part out of the way. This is a great forum with an amazing wealth of information. I've learn quite a bit just hanging around and reading.

I'm new (never wrapped a rod-ever) to rod wrapping and I'm getting a little disappointed at the quality and feel of the rods I have bought off the shelf. I've determined that the only way to alleviate this is to start building my own rods. My primary interest is bass and crappie fishing and it’s my intent to build rods 10 feet and less. With that said, I am asking for advice on selecting a hand wrapper (not interested in building one) that will comfortably handle these type rods.

Thanks to all,
Bobby

You can pretty much make your own but if you want to buy one then I'd look at the flex coat wrappers. They're not much money and work well enough. They come with tensioners for your thread spools.

Use the flex coat link to the left to visit their site and see what models they offer.

Bobby,

Handwrappers work just fine, and Mike's recommendation of the FlexCoat wrapper has a lot of merit. If you plan to wrap 10' rods, or even 5-6' ones, you might need a couple of independent rod supports for hand wrappers to work optimally.

Hand wrappers and supports are very,very easy to build.

You are beginning a new adventure that is great fun and which gives the builder great personal satisfaction for the product built, especially when you catch fish on it.

My comments are those of a fairly new builder.

Enjoy the craft!

Stan

Angler's Workshop has an excellent wrapper, that can also be gotten in a kit with drying motor, all the finish and accessories you'll need for your first couple rods.
Have been using mine for over 10 years. Still looks great and everything still works.

Look on E-baySports/fishing/rod building Area there are a couple there

if the table you work on is to short use the wifes Ironing board as a extention table(they adjust in height)

I bought Flex Coat's cheapest hand wrapper, and it was ok, but just upgraded and bought their next up (about $61), am glad I did, and recommend it highly to you. The sliding thread holder makes it much easier to use than the cheaper one, among other good features. It comes with an extra rod support, and you can easily make any others you need by cutting vees in cardboard boxes.

Bobby, I highly recommend the Flex Coat HW1 Hand Wrapper ($60 - $75). Shop around through the sponsors list. Also well worth the money is a QUALITY Finishing Motor. The homemade versions probably work great, but infringe on my comfort level. Too much work invested to have a motor quit during drying. Flex Coat has a 6 rpm motor (GM6) and an 18 rpm motor (GM18), about $70 ea. I've got the 6 rpm motor which has proven perfect for drying, but a little slow for applying finish. My theory is that a faster motor will increase centrifugal force, and therefore the probability that epoxy will want to flow from the wraps onto the guide leg. My wish list includes a drying motor that adjusts from 18 rpm for finishing to 6 rpm for drying (FLEX COAT - "BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME")

Dale; you can gear any motor to go faster and slower, one moter two speeds

I recomend the Flex-Coat 'SW-1' hand wrapper, the one with the wheels instead of the V cuts in the posts. Ralph