I know this is a worn out topic but I need some fresh ideas now that the show is over. I thought I had my mind made up on the Flexcoat DL747 for a wrapper, but I`m now looking at the Pac Bay witch I believe is the rodsmith. Also the same as what Amer. Tackle carries, Batson,Custom tackle, fishsticks4u,and Mudhole most everyone. For those that have these 2 wrappers I would like your feedback,anything would help, parts available etc. I know the Pac.Bay would save me 100.00 or more. Thanks guys, Tom

I bought a Forecast (Batson) from FishSticks4U, and their Robert Tignor worked with me very closely to make sure I got what I wanted. Got a good deal on it also, wouldn't hurt to ask. I'm pleased with it so far, have been using it to make long underwraps for decorative butt wraps.

Tom,
I bought a Pac Bay Rodsmith last year and love it. There is a learning curve to these things if you've wrapped by hand for any length of time , but I got it figured out pretty quick.
When I was using my hand wrapper I found that I could have used another arm most of the time and the Rodsmith has eliminated this. Most say that you really only need a power wrapper if your doing long underwraps or whatever but I use mine to wrap guides with and it has saved me alot of time and frustration. I hated wrapping guides until I got my Rodsmith, now I dont mind it at all.
The only suggestion I have is make sure the one you get has the improved supports, the ones where the top roller arm locks down with an adjustable bracket, not the one with the spring to hold tension on the rod. I'm pretty sure all the ones you get now have the new design.
The only "upgrade" I know of for the Rodsmith is the new chuck that you can add.
Hope this helps,
Noel

Thanks Guys, My concern with the rodsmith is not being able to turn the rod by hand in reverse without some difficulty.

Not a problem at all. It will turn manually in reverse and the spring on the tensioner will take up the slack for about a full turn; then tighten the spool and make another turn.. You get used to it pretty quickly

Hi Tom

I have the American Tackle power wrapper with the new Pac Bay chuck upgrade and I'm really happy with it. If you haven't checked with Neal's Fishing (a sponser left) you might want to. When I purchased my wrapper Neal's gave me the best price. For me the biggest reason I didn't purchase the Flex Coat wrapper was the chuck. The American, PacBat, Batson all have a self-centering chuck and the Flex Coat does not have that feature. Also with the The American, PacBat, Batson you can turn your handles on them. You have to go easy because the motors aren't very powerful. We do all our handles foam or cork on the rods with our American Tackle wrapper. PacBay has come out with a new self-centering chuck that has really made a difference in turning foamr or cork and it will fit on American, PacBat, Batson wrappers. I have talked with PacBay and they are checking into the possibality of upgrading the motor so they will have more power. Hope this info helps.

Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.

Tom. I just bought the flex coat dl747 and I love it. It bought it from fishsticks4u and Robert gave me a really good price. He explained everything to me about it and was very easy to work with. My rod building bud Doug has a Pacbay and I played with it a little bit. It was ok and I'm sure there will be many disagreements (especially from him) but I like mine better. My little bit of experience with the Pacbay just makes me like the dl747 more. If you want to know anything else feel free to email me. Kenny

I just saw that Hook and Hackle is offering a free dryer when you buy the PacBay Rodsmith. Just click on the "Special Offers and Sales" link.

Some of the other vendors may have this same deal also.