which is the best power wrapper for the beginning rod builder?

I'm not sure a beginner needs to worry about power wrapping. But if you know you're going to be involved in this for the long haul and just want to get started with one, then any of the units from American Tackle, Batson Enterprises or Pacific Bay would be excellent. Flex Coat also makes their own power wrappers and they get good reviews as well.

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unless you are building lots of rods i dont think you need a power wrapper.....you can make your own hand wrapper that definately does fine

You might want to check out the "Library" above and look at the article by Greg Pennell, Easy to Build Rod Wrapping Jig, it has pictures and easy to follow directions. For less than $25.00 you can build yourself a rod wrapper. Then if you are going to be building lot's of rods you can always get a power wrapper.

Bob Crook
La Pine, OR

thanks alot for your info.I think im going to like this hobby alot i just dont to make mistakes with the purchases i make at first.i know the tools that you use are very important.

Doesn't take much in the line of tools to build rods for yourself. When you need to do it faster is when it escalates. Built rods for many years with a hand wrapper. You'll be surprised how fast you can wrap using one in a very short time. A supply of reamers, a few diamond or fine files for guide foot preparation, exacto knife or razor blades and you about have it. A few supplies and your in business.

Nice but not necessary! I have a power wrapper and never use it. I prefer a hand wrapper. Like everyone said, it's not necessary. Won't help you make a better rod, just faster. There are several types available and I would wait and see if you want one and what type you might want. Your e-mail is hidden so e-mail me at mbarkley@wowway.com and I will send you some info

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!!

As a fellow newby I'd like to welcome you to the board. There are some great folks here with tons of knowledge and experience willing to help point you in the right direction. Don't forget to search the archives for answers; you're very likely to find enough information there to put some insight behind your queries. Check out the photo section; there are some outstanding examples of fine work and even some examples of things that could go wrong. The vendor list on the left of this page is a good source for blanks and components. I've made purchases from quiet a few of them and every one of them have gone out of their way to be helpful in getting me the correct merchandise even if (when) I had no idea what I was looking for. Another source here is the RodMaker Magazine; you could look up back issues and order any that spark a particular interrest.

As for equipment; like you I'm a beginner, building just a few rods. I have a wrapper made from a cardboard box and it works fine for me. I did finally break down and buy a rod drying motor for about $25 because I was tired of turning the blanks by hand for hours at end (in my reclyner, watching TV, with the rod supported between my toes). I happen to already have a dremmel tool which makes quick work of filing the guides otherwise I'd be getting the diamond files and wishing I had a dremmel tool. If you know what kind of rod you want to build, and/or what kind of fishing you want to use it for, these guys can give you some good pointers on what kind of blank and components you would need. There are quite a few varieties of finish, color preserver, therad, etc. Some of the vendors have kits available with everything you would need or you can purchase just the stuff you're running low on or want to try out.

One word of warning... whatever rod you build; you will end up with some tools, thread, epoxy, brushes, etc. just sitting there in a box, and It won't be too much more investment to get another blank, guides, and handle to build an extra rod. Then you'll want to try something else that caught your eye; an ultra-ilte, a flippin stick, a fly rod. Then you'll show off your work to friends and end up promising to make one of them a rod. By then you'll be getting a little skill behind you and you'll want to make something special for yourself. Your wife's good dining room table becomes a workbench. The ceiling fan has scratches on it from rod tips. Your ink pens have practice wraps on them. And finally you realize you're hooked. It's a good think to be hooked on though!

Have fun!
Jim Hicks

yeah rod building is worse than a crack addiction! first youll build a rod then you will quickly find out that you need a rod for jigs and another for swimbaits, crank baits, topwaters, various heavy sticks, and 1000 others haha and when you are finally done youll realise you have 100 rods and only 3 reels

Jon just posted a pic of a very practical, inexpensive, easy to build hand wrapper that is more than adequate for building rods without a huge investment [www.rodbuilding.org]

Check out the "Equipment" gallery on the Photo Page for a lot of ideas on home made tools/equipment. You do nee4d to register and log in to view the pix (tip, use the exact name password that you use on the forum. Easier to remember!)

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!!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2007 06:29PM by Mike Barkley.

I think my very first post was this question, I didn't want to waste the money on a hand wrapper if I was going to end up wanting a power wrapper....That was about 18 months ago or so, I probley built 30 rods or so on a hand wrapper....

Now I am considering a powerwrapper, however somehow I always spend my funds in components....

I went in the other direction I bought the power wrapper. Mine is a Pac Bay with the upgraded chuck. I was afraid the hand wrapping would be a problem for me. So I went all out and bought alot of equipment. I really like my wrapper I am by no means a pro. But with every rod I get better and better. That was a good choice for me but you may prefer to start with a hand wrapper. I dont regret spending the money on the wrapper and other tools. I feel it makes my job a little easier. But either way you go you will be hooked and cant get enough of it. I am always on this board reading and looking at rod supplies. I just cant get enough. I also hope to meet everyone in NC in Feb. Thanks to all that have helped me in my new found addiction. I figure Feb will be like a Rod builders anonymous lol.

Brent Keever
Building friendships through custom rods

Brent,

Nope, it's more like a huge fix for a rod building junkie, or a better description would be the WOODSTOCK of Rod Building. Prepare to INDULGE!!!!!!!

Bill in WV

I have a Pac Bay wrapper with the upgraded chuck and supports (same as Brent). It is perfect for me. I build about 6 rods a year as a hobby.

Remeber this: A well wrapped simple design will always look better than a poorly wrapped complex design. I think the great aussie rod crafter "Ian Miller" said that!!

Go the power wrapper.. you can always wrap by hand on it and the power is there if you so desire.

Cheers
Chris

Personally, unless you are building heavy SW rods that require long underwraps, I think the power wrapper would be a waste of money. Either save that money, or sock it away for dues to RBA (Rod Builder's Anonymous).

thanks brent for your advice,it really helps with my decision.Im looking forward to meeting you at the show.let me know when you will be there and i will ask around for you.

Savid,

You're in for a real culture shock in Feb!! You can't even imagine the show no matter how much you read about it!!!! It's the Super Bowl of rodbuilding

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!!

you should make a homemade wrapper(you can do it for under $20 easy) and if you think you need power then throwing away the handwrapper wont be a big deal because it didnt cost much...you should also get a subscription to rodbuilder magazine! for the $27 i think it is you get 6 issues and 27 that are packed with loads of info and worth wayyyyyyyyyy more than $27

Your best investment would be $15 for a copy of Rodbuilding Guide by Tom Kirkman from one of the vendors on the left

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!!