I just posted a picture of my homemade wrapper. I used a prefab basic wrapper for almost 2 years. I looked at the pictures posted here and took some advice from you guys. It's not the best looking thing in the world but it works great. Thanks to all of you for the ideas and help. If anyone wants the specs or a better picture just let me know. I'll clean it up and take better pictures later on. Thanks again for all the help!

[www.rodbuilding.org]

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2010 10:18AM by Tom Kirkman.

David
Did you decide to stay with the shorter lathe bed - or did you only foto the "basic" section?

Dave,
Really like the way you designed your thread tensioner. Did you use part of the tip section of a blank or something else?
Nice job on your design, looks very functional.
Lynn

I had to go with a short bed (30") due to work space but I do have 2 extra stand alone supports. If I do a one piece rod or a long rod section a have to move everything onto the floor. It's a tiny room that my son stays in when he comes home on leave. He's and MP in the Army. One of these days, maybe, I'll have a room all to myself. If it was up to me I'd have everything in the living room but apparently my wife doesn't think it would go with the furniture. I hate living in an apt.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

The long wire tensioners are just .039 spring steel wire with loops in the ends. The loops are open kind of like a key ring that's been spread apart so you don't actually have to run the thread through the eye.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Take my word for it - the kitchen table isn't a good idea either ;-)

Hi David,

If you ever want to make that a power wrapper a great place to find turning motors is thrift stores. I have a few singer motors that are pretty much new and work great. It seems lots of folks get rid of oldsewing machines and lots of them end up in thrift stores. You can usually pick them up for about 10 to 25 dollars depending on condition. Just thought I would put my two sense in.

Tight lines,

JH

You can also add to your unit. Mine is a wrapper, lath, finisher

I keep thinking of making it a power wrapper ?? I have done a little upgrading [www.rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com

I actually have a motor but I don't have the stuff to make a chuck and shaft adapter. I might eventually break down and buy a shaft collar chuck one of these days. I'd like to try a power setup before I put one on though. Does it help any or speed up the decorative wrap process? I'm sure it speeds up guide wrapping. Just wondering if it would make it any easier for the intricate wrapping.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

Decorative wraps can't be done under power as far as I know

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!!

That's good to know. Thanks Mike.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

David
You might want to check "TACKLE WORKS" link on the left & see if there's a rod builder listed that's relatively nearby. I think most any rod builder who has a power wrapper would entertain a visit to let you try it out.

That would be awesome. I forgot to mention that I have a power dryer. The motor on it is definitely not powerful enough to wrap with though and it turns at one speed (slow). I bought the dryer from one of our sponsors to the left after my second rod build. I really appreciate all your help guys.

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

perhaps you can change the motor on your dryer and make it a power wrapper and dryer with a control to set the motor speed.

Bill - willierods.com

Yeah, I suppose I could. A sewing machine motor has variable speeds. Do you think it would work as a stand alone motor so I could just move it out of the way when I'm not using it, or would that create too much instability since it's such a larger motor?

David Dosser
Coshocton, OH

I don't use a power wrapper. When I do a long say under wrap I loosen things up and rub my hands over the blank so it is not so tiering.

Bill - willierods.com

I do all my decorative wraps using my power wrapper. After 30 some odd years of doing them by hand, I got tired of hand turning. Not only easier on the fingers, but it frees up another hand. Especially helpful when wrapping bands of thread. It took some getting used to, but I'd never go back. I thought everyone with power wrappers used it for decorative wraps? It would be interesting to see how many of the pros used them for the decorative work........

Great job, your own work will be an inspiration!

Rich,
I've been wrapping rods for a little while - you are the first person I know of that does decorative wraps under power. Care to share any "secrets" ?
Type of wrapper? Nominal speed? Number of threads simultaneously? Intricacy of the wraps?

I wonder if Bill V does his under power

Bill - willierods.com