I 've received a number of Madiera thread spools in various colors.

My question is how do you tension the threads on those large spools?

My tensioner will not hold such a large spool.

The thread does not seem to be a s strong as your normal Gudebrod thread (A-weight).

transfer the thread to a smaller spool. I do that for mine and it works fine.

Ditto. If you look in the buy/sell section, you will find a post from me looking for small wooden or plastic spools. I use Metro thread, and like Madiera the spools are too big for my tensioner.
I have found it to have just about the same break strength as A wt. Gudebrod. Just remember to use color preserver. Madiera is treated with silicon.

What kind of tensioner are you using?? Just replace the posts with a longer piece of threaded rod and use paper clips like this. This is a display of how to do it [www.rodbuilding.org] You can also the horizontal rods on most Pac Bay type wrappers via a set screw on the support

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!!

If you like the clips fine. I did not. So i went with the washer like on the Eco wrapper. Not pretty but I can adjust the tension and don't have to worry about the wing nut moving at all. [www.rodbuilding.org]

One of these days I will paint the whole thing ??

Bill - willierods.com