I'm considering a change or upgrade of wrappers, not sure the much coveted Renzetti is in the budget this year(maybe I'll win the one at the reception) but I am looking at a few others and was wondering if the chuck / motor assembly on the Pac Bay wrapper RW-3XL is able to slide on the base or if its permanently secured. I like to be able to move the blank versus moving my chair for some of the rods I build.

Thanks,

Walt Davenport
"Roadhouse Rods"

It's fixed at the left end of the bed.

Mark Griffin
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C&M Custom Tackle
San Dimas, California



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/05/2008 09:10PM by Mark Griffin.

I have both a Pack Bay and a Renzetti. Both have fixed chucks. Suggestion if you get a PacBay, get the one that has the new improved chuck. The old style chuck wants to losen at times.
Good Wraps Bob

We''ll have a "new"-style chuck for sale a the show. Don't ask me how, but we have an "extra" one.

I've never had a motorized unit that has a movable motor/chuck assembly. As a result, I've gotten used to moving "up-and-down" the rod. The foot pedal control with the PacBay helps a lot 'cause we just push it along to stay with us.

I've seen guys who had roller-chairs for working moving along the table.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

If you ever seen a comerical wrapper there chucks are stationary. The person wrapping holds the thread in a bobbin and uses his hand as a tension devise as they walk down the blank wrapping.
Good Wraps Bob

Walt,
If you have room, the simple solution is to put your power wrapper on rollers, and roll it past your wrapping station.
You do need to have room at each end of your wrapper to be able to move the wrapper its full length.

I do have my power wrapper with its fixed motor and and guides in front of my on my 4 foot wrapper bench. Then, I have two more 4 foor wrapper benches on each end with about a 1 foot gap between each bench. In between the benches, and at tne ends of each of the 4 foot benches, I have an extensible roller.

These are the roller suports that are readily available from Home Depot and others which are used to support lumber for cutting with a saw. They run about $20 each, will fold up, and have a 12 inch roller that is vertically adjustible.

I simply adjust each roller, so that the wrapper bed is about 1/2 inch above the wrapper bench. Then, the wrapper easily rolls from one end of the rod to the other - past the wrapping station.

This way - I keep all my tools etc. in one place and roll the rod past me.

As I said, you do need a space that is long enough which is essentially 2 1/2 times longer than the lenght of your rod guide wrapping lenght. For example, a tyical 6 foot rod, uses about 4 feet of wrapping distance from handle wrap to tip. So you need about 10 feet of lenght for a 6 foot rod.

If you are wrapping 8 foot rods, you will need about 20 feet of lenght to be able to roll all of the rod wrapping space past your station. If you don't have that much space - you will need to move a bit to cover the last guides and or handle wraps.

Take care
Roger