When making a rod wrapping lathe and you incorporate a thread carriage, does the carriage go in front or behind the rod being wrapped? I would have just assumed it goes at the front. But looking at some pics in the gallery it appears that many people actually put the spools behind the rod, with a guide tip extended to be directly under the rod.

I use the carrage in the front for wrapping and in the back for weaving. But it basically boils down to what works best for each person.

Take your pick. I believe more folks wrap with a carriage or thread spool to the rear as it is out of the way but the method used for thread tension and the height of the the guidance system all enter in to determining which works best for you. Doc is a master using thread and had I known of that when I began wrapping I'd have probably wrapped from the front also but in my ignorance I started from the back and it works for me.

Stan Grace
Helena, MT
"Our best is none too good"

Ditto what Stan said right to the period at the end of the paragraph.

Putter
Williston, ND

Ok thanks. I can see why it would be more convenient behind. I suppose I will make it up so it can go either way but with the emphasis behind.

Either way is your best bet. I use 4 oz. spools from the back of my CPW on a home made stand and regular spools from the front on the thread carriage. The thread from the big spools runs under the blank and up so I'm still wrapping and turning the the same direction.