Guys,

I would like to make a free standing thread tensioner for a new wrapper I have built. Requirements are that it has to be heavy enough not to move under the tension, and also easy to move. I am trying to eliminate the time it takes to un-screw and re-screw my current tension device. Photos would be great! Any ideas?

I saw plans for one on another site that was constructed out of a 2x4, and a Victor mouse trap . I can't remember which site it was , but the trap was screwed to the 2x4 and the spring was cut to hold the spool , tension wes applied and adjusted by bending the trap spring . I looked neat , but I can't find where I saw it . JD

Almost certainly a metal base for weight and some non-slip pad glued to the bottom. Drill and epoxy in two all-thread rods upright for holding the spools and use wingnuts for tension. Two more holes and epoxy in two eye bolts for guiding the thread.

John, here is the link to the mouse trap tensioner: []

Tom,
Check this link out.
[www.allcoastsportfishing.com]

You might have to cut and paste.
I found this by doing a search on @#$%& Thread Tension Device on this site.

I purchased one and I love it. Actually I purchased two

Tony

You can make a wooden base and weight it if need be with lead or whatever you want. I would second the idea about putting non skid on the bottom. The stuff you line tool box drawers with is good too.

Put a narrow wood upright on the base. Drill a hole through there and put a length of all-thread through. Then use springs, washers and wingnuts for holding and tensioning the thread.

Now for the finishing touch. You will enjoy wrapping more with a reverse thread tensioner. It's easy to make. Take an old hacksaw blade and fasten one end to the face of the wood upright you mounted to your base. At the other end up top, put a screw eye and nut through the blade mounting hole there. Now you route your thread down from the spool, to a screw eye mounted on the base, then up through the screw eye mounted in the top end of the blade and then on down to the rod.

In use, the blade will deflect and bend as you wrap the rod, but if you make a mistake and need to back up, the blade will pull back and up and keep tension on your thread.

I made one like this 10 years ago and it worked really, really well. Anybody who is wrapping with some sort of reverse tension aid really needs to give it a try.

Tony,
I looked at that @#$%& tension device and have a question. Do those two metal sleeves have ball bearings in them and rotate against each other? Can they be purchased at a hardware store?

Dave