I'm new to rod building, and decided to start from square one. I just finished building my rod wrapping station, and am currently working on the thread carriage. My question is; From what side or angle (when facing the blank) do most of you prefer the thread to feed onto the blank when wrapping? My wrapping station is 6' long with three "blank Guides" that are moveable along the base. The thread carriage is behind the wrapping station, and is also able to slide along the 6' length of the wrapping station. I'm trying to figure out where to position the thread guides and any thread arms etc. I can configure the thread to feed from the top or bottom, or in front or behind the rod. At the moment I'll be hand turning the rod blank. Thank's in advance for any advice!

There is no wrong way - most of us prefer whatever way we learned with. A lot of that has to do with the machine or jig we first bought or made when we got started with rod building.

Personally, I like my thread to come onto the rod from above and behind. This is the same way that the Renzetti lathe feeds the thread. The Custom Power Wrap and the American Tackle, Pac Bay and Batson type machines are exactly the opposite, feeding the thread from below and in front.

If you're in the Norfolk area, you're not a long way from the National Rod Builders Show being held in Charlotte NC end of this month. Think about coming down and trying some different machines. It might help you determine which way you want to build your own. It's only two and half weeks or less at this point so you wouldn't have to wait long to get your hands on all these different models.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2005 09:46AM by Tom Kirkman.

Bruce,

Hand wrapper from the back over the top - Power wrapper from the front over the top.

If you are coming from the back I think you need to have your thread coming off the carriage high and over the top (rod turning towards you). With most power wrappers (commerical machines) the thread comes off the carriage low from the front over the top (rod turning away from you). I'm just getting into weaving with a loom and instructions says that it is earier to have the thread come from the front. Hope this helps.

Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.

Tom you type to fast - LOL

Gary's setup shows different from what Tom and I stated so like Tom said whatever feels good to you. I learned to wrap on a hand wrapper with thread high from the back. When I purchased my power wrapper It's setup front - low - over the top. It took a few days to adjust to the new setup.

Gary - I like your tool carriage. Beats chasing tools around.

Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2005 09:42AM by Milton (Hank) Aldridge.

Thanks guys! Looks like from the back and over the top it is. How many thread stations/tensioners should I mount to the carriage? I was thinking four thread spools with two feed arms comming off the carriage.