I do mostly bamboo fly rod repair. In the past I've always hand wrapped. Now I'm faced with the fact that i've got 10 rods to completely redo. I'm thinking about a power wrapper but have a few questions.
Can I use a power wrapper on cane without it going bumpity bumpity bump in the rollers?
since most or the wraps are fairly short, is there really an advantage to power wrapping
can I get the wraps as close as hand wrapping?

Thanks

Gary - here's a trick we came up with a while ago:

Take a small piece of plastic tubing (neoprene works well for this because it has relatively thick walls), and slide it onto the rod. Actually, slide as many as you need, with at least one between each pair of guides. Use a little bit of tape round the rod to fill in the ID of the tubing if it's too big (as it probably will be on the tip section.).

Now slide the tubing into position to match up with your roller supports. That eliminates the "bumpity" problem and also protects the bamboo from any marks that the rollers might create. When you're done, you can simply cut the plastic tube off the rod, remove the tape, and do the next one.

We use this not only on bamboo, but also on rods with a hex cross section, such as Cape Fear sticks, for repairs. Where we're not going to totally strip the rod, we split the tubing lengthwise, open the slit and put it on over the rod, and proceed as described above. The tubing normally goes back together pretty well and doesn't need additional taping to keep it closed, but you can do that if you want to.

- - - hope that helps.

Uncle Russ
Calico Creek Rods

Very nice idea. I am going to have to --try-- to remember that ??? keep them in bags and use them over and over.

Hi Sir, yes there is a power wraper made by a cane rod builder out of CA it is the JW warper by JW Wagener the thread gos around the rod shaft on a big plexiglass wheel it works well His web adds is www.jwflyrods.com and it is great for glass and graphite also your rod sets in the padded cradle and the thread gos around the rod shaft hope this helps God Bless Jeff Rhonda and Kaya net pup

JW designed his machine specifically for bamboo (it's from an older design) but it will work with any type rod. To see a photo check the back page of RodMaker Volume 11 #4.

I spoke with JW not too long ago - he's currently sold out but plans to make another run of his machines by the Spring of '09.

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The JW wrapper can be use to do a rod in one step atarting from tip or but very good for Glass and Graphite do a wrap and then you do large spiral wraps to the next guide do one side and spiral wrap over foot and do that side the large spirals down to nect ect the first coat of varnish or light epoxy all when dry cut tags and do next coat of finish a person that is in to high volume wrapping can do a lot of rods with this machine God Bless and Merry Christmas Jeff Rhonda andKaya net pup