Anyone have a source for reverse tension springs for the Renzetti/ Clemens lathe? I have broke mine several times and is getting to small to be of any use.

Sean Endres
North East Rod Builders
New London, CT

I've made some for others, never broken one myself (there is a reason why they break). Not hard to make but you'll have to find some good spring steel wire about .040 diameter.

Is yours the one with the small white nylon roller on it, or does it have a pigtail?

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Call Lilly at renzetti. They are inexpensive. Or, just learn to wrap without it. I took mine off years ago.

I have the one with the small white nylon roller.

Kevin, thanks, will try that. I got to have one, I like that reverse tension.

Sean Endres
North East Rod Builders
New London, CT

Lily won't have that one.

But that one is very easy to make. Get the wire and some needle nose pliers and go to work.

Now, here's what usually breaks them - when you cut your thread at the end of the wrap the spring will unleash and slam down into or onto the carriage. Do this a few hundred times and eventually it'll break from "shock." This is why spinning reel bail springs break if you allow the bail to slam shut, versus closing the bail by hand.

If you set your carriage back so that the roller will land on the carriage/feed unit attachment knob, and put a small piece of cushioning foam or EVA there, you'll never break another one.

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I do have some .036" piano wire here, will try to make one.

I always try to not let the roller slam down when cutting thread, and I also do have a piece of cushioning foam on that knob....good idea.

Thanks!

Sean Endres
North East Rod Builders
New London, CT

If that does not work, ty a spring of the proper size. I use a spring from my fly tying lamp. Don't know if you can attach it ?

Bill - willierods.com

If that does not work, ty a spring of the proper size. I use a spring from my fly tying lamp. Don't know if you can attach it ? maybe home depot or the internet.

Bill - willierods.com

You might move to the pigtail design. I think that one works a lot better overall and it's easier to keep the threads in the device even after cutting them.

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Sean, do you think powder coating teh wire will prevent it from breaking? lol.

If you had a wire on yours you could have coated it and found out for yourself...LOL

Sean Endres
North East Rod Builders
New London, CT

Seane,

The pig tail one works much better than the other model.

When I cut a thread I have a finger under the spring to prevent the collision with the frame. My wires do break especially as the wire gets shorter there is more pressure at the pivot point. The anti reverse feature is too good for me to do without, Many times I have to walk away from a wrap.

See you at the SHOW!

Capt Neil Faulkner

I must have a super lathe, as I dont' use that spring and I am able to walk away without losing tension on teh thread. If I need to go backwards, I just roll the blank backwards adn turn the spool by hand. When I try to use that spring, I have nothing but problems. To each their own though.

I do like Billy turn my rod and turn the thread spool. I have had my Renzetti/Clemens lath for almost 10 years and never used the darn thing, matter of fact I lost it 5 or 6 years ago.

Good Wraps Bob

Sean, I have some ss wire for plug building. Not sure of the diameter, .060 or something like that. It bends pretty easily. I can bring a piece to HP if you want. I think my luggage is like 20 -24" I can cut a piece to fit. Let me know.

Tony

I sent you an email as to where to get those springs maybe.....
let me know if you didn't get it.