While wrapping a flyrod yesterday, I simply couldn't get the thread tension right. It was either too loose or too tight. I figured that life could be simpler.

I got a 6 inch piece of 1/4 inch threaded stock and using my torch, bent it into a 90 dgree angle with equal legs(arms?). I then put one extension through a thread spool and the other through a 1/4 inch hole that I had drilled into a piece of wood. I put a wing nut on both ends of the stock.. Washers can be added if desired.

Tightening the wing nut on the arm that goes through the board, increases the tension on the thread spool. The winged nut on the other end merely makes it easier to take a thread spool on and off.

Dimensions may be changed to accommodate larger thread spools.

Works for me. I can adjust the tension any way that I want it. C2

Charlie --
Way back when I started in this I made up a similar "tool". What I used were 90 degree angle inside reinforcing braces in different lenghts one pair for each side; 1/4" all thread rods or bolts through them and you can have multiple, independantly tensioned threads. Oh, heck I'll post a photo or two. --- easier. And you can "get fancy" and add bee hive springs too. I found this buried in a back corner of the shop while redoing it -- over 25 years old when no one was offering multiple, independantly tensioned threads.