I am looking for a supplier for the thread tensioners that have the numerical dials on the top. Very similar to the flexcoat ones. I think I have seen them on sewing machines as well. Thanks, Paul

Never seen a creature like that for rod building, just make sure dial or not, it tensions the spool not the thread

Hi Paul
I buy mine at a sewing machine store, with out any problems . Howmany do you need.
Best Regards Mark Crouse

Hey Mark....I have a sewing machine repair center walking distance from where I work two days a week.. Do I just ask for thread tensioners or do they call them something else?



Derek L. McMaster
Rohnert Park, CA

Born to Fish, FORCED to Work

You might note that the basic ones without numbered dials look a whole lot like the flex coat piece.
A sewing machine repair shop should have multiple ones to play with. Machines for different usages have different tensions (sail making vs embroidery, for example). A fairly recent thread on thread tension is: [www.rodbuilding.org]

C&C - one@55 (6 oz) one@70 (6.5 oz)
Gudebrod - 35 (3.8 oz)
Sulky - 30 (3.2 oz)
Pearsalls - 20 (2.2 oz)

So I'd think you want approximately from 2-8 ounces of tension covered by the dial range. The measurement was in number of pennies. You should probably drag a baggy of pennies along with you to the shop to verify the capability of whatever you think to buy.

Mark,

I am after two. I need them for a Garrison style binder for glueing up bamboo rods. I will look at the sewing places in town.

Thank You,
Paul

Paul,
The ones you're after are the heavier sail-maker's rig. You might find one at a sewing machine center but you;d probably be better off checking with a local boat canvas shop - the folks who make covers. Here's a link that might get you started:
[shopping.netsuite.com]

Flex Coat used to offer the black numbered dial type as well as standard spring/knob type. Dunno if they still have them, but may be worth checking with them if you cant find them.