anyone have anyone good ideas about homemade thread tension devices? the one I built holds 2 spools of thread and works ok..one fault is has it that the wing nut keeps coming loose while I'm wrapping..if I don't stay on top it can create BIG problems especially with gudebrod metallics.


Dave

David- everything I use is homemade-put a hexnut on 1st and use your wing nut to lock it in place, otherwise the turning spool will either loosen or tighten one nut by itself-depending on which way the spool turns. The drying motor I use was made from a magneto from an old hand crank telephone, some bobby pins, the propshaft from a '63 4 horse Evinrude and the wheel bearings from a 64 Rambler Wagon. Just kidding

My drying motor is an old rotiser motor. I used a threaded shaft that fits inside the motor opening . Iused rod bond to glue it in place. next I used a 2 inch PVC cap. I drilled a center hole in it . Next I place the cap onto the threaded shaft and screwed on a nut to hold it in place. now I drill 3 holes in the side of the cap and screwed 3 wing screws into each hole. the wing screws well hold the the rod while turning. As for a nut to keep the threat tenion constant I would use a nylon nut and a 3 washers. 1 washer sites against the spool and flat surface the next washer fits against the spool then place a small tension sping next to the washer, now place the 3rd, washer next to the spring. Now place the nylon washer on the threaded shaft adjust tension. How did you make your tension device? Do you have a pic? Email me and I well decrib my systom better.
Good Wraps Bob

Ditto Rotisserie motor for my dryer, but I use adjustable plastic cable glands attached to the motor to hold the blank butt.
Ditto hex nut locked by a wing nut on the thread tension device ( I think we have all been there & suffered changing thread tension without a lock nut in our first efforts.......... but easily fixed ).
I have a shortened cheap open end spanner to suit the hex nut in my thread tool box......................makes adjusting the hex nut & locking with the wing nut much easier........................ fat finger under the wingnut holding the hex nut where I wanted it was not an easy go for me!!!!
DenisB



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2008 06:16AM by Denis Brown.

Grind two flats onto your threaded spool shaft. Now take an undersized washer and with a small round file, enlarge the hole top and bottom only, leaving the sides flat. Put this onto the shaft ahead of your wingnut. Presto - your wingnut will no longer loosen while wrapping.

..............

Wing nuts make adjustment without backing off or tightening very tough. Either use self locking nuts with a teflon inside sleeve or this:

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Gon Fishn



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2008 01:09PM by Bill Stevens.

I am using some "rocks" (short, mixed-drink glasses) to hold the spool, and I run the thread through a book. Adjust the tension by placing or removing books on top of the book with the thread in it. For metallics (and all other threads, as well), this gives you an easy way to fine tune the tension for each type of thread. I have 4 rocks glasses, so I can run 4 threads at one time. If I need to undo some of the wrap, it's easy to maintain tension by pushing the stack of books back. Very low-tech, and quite effective.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2008 10:26AM by George Forster.

Was my post removed for a reason? junkmansj@yahoo.com

thanks everyone...I had been to home depot twice getting stuff to redesign my tension device and everything I tried the same issue...strange I never thought of the hex nut...this is one of the reasons I enjoy the site..I like reading about everyone's new ideas on homemade tools and rod design.


Dave

David, get rid of all the nuts and set it up like this, use paper clips.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Jay's got the right idea!!!
[www.rodbuilding.org]
[www.rodbuilding.org]
Works great vertical or horizontally configured!! The paper clips are quick easy to adjust and will NEVER slide, tighten or loosen

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!!

Here is something I posted in November, 2004.

If you're using all thread with spring and washer, eliminate the wing nut on the end and instead use a metal spring clip, often used in offices. The type I use is a black shell with folding clips on either side to squeeze to open the clip.

Thread spool goes on, washer on outside of spool, and clip is pressed against the outer washer. Very easy to slip in place and adjust tension as necessary.

I believe I also posted a photo.

Jeff Shafer

David,

Note Tom's response. If you flatten the shaft, and then elongate the hole in the washer, then it cannot spin and loosen/tighten the wingnut. Most of the new carraiges with the spool tightening devices come this way.

You should have also, some plastic/nylon washers of various widths and a spring to adjust the tension.

Send me an email and I can send some pictures of the commercial one I purchased with these features.

Terry

I put some teflon tape on the thread to keep the wing nuts from moving.

Anthony
AKRods