I was thinking of buying my first wrapper/dryier but wanted to know if the standard Pac Bay would handle larger stand-up rods?

I've wrapped countless stand up rods on mine. Underwraps are done in seconds. I don't use it on inshore rods but on stand up and trolling rods it can't be beat. American Tackle and Batson Ent. also sells power wrappers comparable to Pac Bay's.

Lance

I'm a new rod builder and I have the Pac Bay. I have nothing else to compare it to but I really like it. I have built fresh and salt water rods upto 180 lb class and have had no problem. The only thing I am considering though is to get the upgrade for the mandrel, If I were to do it again I would get that right away.

I build a lot of stand-up rods and one-piece salmon rods to 10'. Almost all the rods I build are one-piece so I extended the base of my PacBay. I love it and just bought the upgrade rod stands to better grip the large diameter Seeker/Calstars.

I build a lot of stand-up rods and one-piece salmon rods to 10'. Almost all the rods I build are one-piece so I extended the base of my PacBay. I love it and just bought the upgrade rod stands to better grip the large diameter Seeker/Calstars.

What is a mandrel??

It is the part that the base of the rod attaches to for the wrapping purposes. The one that comes standard is plastic, the upgrade is aluminum. So you get a much better grip on the rod or the handles for wrapping or shapping. Hope this helps Scott

Be sure to include the all metal chuck upgrade in your initial purchase. Well worth the extra money!

Where is a good place to purchase these upgrades? I am going to purchase the unit from Cabelas with my club points but I don't think they sale any type of upgrades.

Michael,

The Pac Bay improved chuck and stand are well worth the price, as Bill pointed out. I put one on a home-built power wrapper and it works great. Got it from Bob McKamey at Custom Tackle, but I think Mudhole has them also. I also put a Pac Bay drying motor on the same wrapper as well. Photos were posted a week or so ago on the photo page to show the setup.

Stan

Is this unit a good dryer as well??

How much do these go for? I have seen them for over $350 at local rod building shops but I feel that kind of expensive. It just a simple motor and aluminum base right? Whats so special about it?

These units also have rod supports and a thread feed/tensioner. $300 is a common price for the basic unit.

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I have a PacBay wrapper/dryer myself and can't fault it for what it is intended to do. But do you math, lathe plus upgrades your lathe now becomes quiet pricey. However I would recommend you buy one of the models in the Custom Power wrap collection, they are far more upgradeable with upgradeable chucks, motors etc and will suit the heavier rods better, you can also upgrade them it at your own pace. I can see my PB wrapper being used only for drying in the not to distant future.

Scott,
I think that you are referring to a chuck which grips the rod/blank butt. A madrel is a steel rod that is used to slide cork, wood, eyc onto for glueing up and turning on a lathe.

Mike