ANY help and i would be greatful thanks!

Lance,
I've got an American Tackle Power Wrapper and a FlexCoat four rod dryer (18 rpm). The dryer works great as does the wrapper but the wrapper's chuck quality could be better. There is an upgrade chuck available but before I buy that I'm considering the Renzetti which I think is the best wrapper/rod lathe out there. It really depends on your needs and how much you want to spend. You can use the wrapper for drying as well but I find it easier to have both. The only thing I use the power for is wrapping guides or longer areas of underwrap. Other than that everything is done by hand (cross wraps, weaves, etc.). I'm sure the others here will also chime in and give you all the info you'll probably need. Randy.

thanks for the help Randy!

I, and I'm sure many others, would not reccomend a first time builder to go out & purchase a power wrapper. A power wrapper and/or rod building lathe can be a substantial investment. There is always a chance that your first rod built will be your last rod built. What if you don't like it, then you have a useless rod wrapper staring you in the face. I suggest start off with a manual wrapper for your first few projects. Then again, I have been building for about five years and I still don't own a power wrapper. Call me cheap.

This would be like a first time fishing trip. Just because you get invited to go out to blue water for the first time doesn't mean you're going to run out and buy an Ian Miller rod and an Avet T-RX only to find out you get sea sick!

Best of luck in your building...I'm sure you'll be addicted just like the rest of us!

Jay

Lance,
I have just emailed you two documents I hope they could be useful.

I have built my own rod wrapper/dryer (it looks like the one described in the Library of our forum, I would recommend you to follow this step by step guide it really makes sense) and I have attach a drying motor to it, I have used a very slow one, the kind that we use here for barbecue, then you have to make your own small adaptor to plug the blank in the motor.

Regards

Frantz

Lance,

What's your hurry?? Don't jump in and spend money that you will regret later. Get some experience and build a few rods before you even decide if you want a power wrapper. There are tons of builders that build a lot of rods and don't use power wrappers. Keep in mind that they may be faster but they are NOT easier. Look in the library, there is an article on building one.Look at some on the Photo Page and consider making one. At this point, the money spent on a power wrapper might get you more value/fun by buying blanks/components.





Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Thanks Mike,

Could you point me toward a good manual wrapper?

[shop.mudhole.com] I've been using one like this for about 15 years and it meets my needs quite well.
I sent you an e-mail


iMke



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2005 12:01PM by Mike Barkley.

Lance I deleted your email by mistake, sorry. I believe the others are stearing you in the right direction. My wrapper really isn't much of a wrapper at all. All I have is a block of wood with a simple thread tension devise made out of a bolt, spring, washers (metal and nylon), a standard nut, and a wing nut to lock it in place. I have also used the @#$%& tension devise. Other than that I made me three rod stands with rollers you can buy at the hardware store. I have been building on this 'wrapper' since I started. I would certainly like to have a power wrapper, but I guess I'm just too cheap to spend the money.

Jay