I'm thinking of buying Cabela's Professional Rod Wrapper($100) with the motor option(an additonal $99).I basically want an "all in one " machine to wrap guides,turn cork,and dry finishes.Any one used it?Like it?Any other suggestions?

I don't want to rain on your parade, but while that machine might do all those things, I don't think it will do them very well. There are only a handful of machines designed to do everything and do everything very well. The Renzetti, Clemens and the Custom Power Wrap. The first two have links on this page to your left.

They seem expensive at first but after you've used them hard a year or more you start to see how inexpensive they really are for what they will do.

One other alternative is the Pac Bay or Forecast type lathes. Not as heavy duty as those listed above but not a bad unit for the price.

For occasional and light duty use, the Cabelas wrapper is probably just fine. For any serious work, any one of those Mike lists is a better option.

.............

Do the Pac-bay or flex coat wrappers ever go on sale? I've been watching and waiting. I've only done a few rods and that's a big chunk of change for a small timer like myself?
thanks,
tom

I can sure understand that these wrappers seem expensive, but even if this is just a couple rod a year hobby at sometime you will build a very nice rod. All hobbies cost a lot. In the schema of things the cost of these wrappers is not that much. If you own a boat you have a large investment. How about the amount of tackle we all have that is just weight in the tackle box? I have in the past tried to do things on the cheep side and been upset at the results. I ordered a Clemens lathe as they are on sale now. I have only built one rod so far (I used two "v" blocks to wrap this rod) but I see this as a hobby I will enjoy for many years to come,. I wanted the tools for the job that will help make my hobby more enjoyable, will this make me a master rod builder, I don't expect so but as Tom told me "Each rod will be better than the last". All I am trying to say in all this babbling is don't cheat yourself by getting a tool that may not be what you want.....Just a thought.
Clint

I bought a Clemens Lathe in January this year. The quality is impeccable - - a work of art in itself. I wish I had taken the plunge years ago & spent more time building & less time improvising.