Hi,
I'm making some wooden hand wrappers and am having trouble with the thread tension device. The thread spool is sitting on a threaded rod. After the spool is a metal washer, then a spring, then another metal washer, then a wingnut. I tighten the wingnut to set the thread tension. As I pull thread off the spool the washers & spring rotate, causing the wingnut to rotate, which then tightens down on the spring, increasing the thread tension.

How can I stop the wingnut from rotating as thread comes off the spool?

Looking in the photo gallery it looks like a lot use some sort of plastic washer (Teflon?).

Suggestions?

regards
Dave

This is a way I fixed the problem Old Picture Now has an aluminum plate on it Got the idea from the Eco Wrapper

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2013 08:52AM by bill boettcher.

David,
Another simple way to avoid this problem, if you want to put tension on the thread spool, is to use a split bolt onto which you place the thread. Then you place your tension disk, and on top of that put a washer that has a cross link running through the center, as are commonly used by virtually every sewing machine around.

Or, another way to do it is to use a bolt that has a flat on one size and then put a washer that has a matching flat to avoid washer rotation. This method is commonly used on many spinning fishing rods used today.

Another option is to not use a tension disk on your thread spool, but to simply run your thread itself through a set of spring loaded nut adjustable tension disks that are used by sewing machines around the world.

This type tension device does not work so well for metallic thread, but for any other type thread works very well. Since this tension device is used by nearly every sewing machine made today and the thread gets tensioned just fine is proof positive that there is nothing wrong with using this type tension device.

For example:

[www.google.com]

In particular:

[www.google.com]

[www.mudhole.com]

A magnetic one:
[www.muckpuddle.com] (I tried it and didn't like it. Tough to adjust the tension correctly)

As Bill pointed out:
[www.therodshop.biz] -- certainly one of the simplest way to keep the nut from spinning ifyou want to use this sort of tension device.

A small metal binder clip (used for holding sheets of paper) clamped over one wing of the wingnut and the threaded rod will stop the wingnut from spinning loose.

David,
This is the thread tension device that I have used for many yeears. It has wrapped many many rods with 0 issues.

I do not run metallic thread through the device, but for everything else, it slides along the back of my wrapper bed as I wrap. Basically one of the commercially available thread tension devices that I listed in the previous response to this post.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

By making the base out of 3/4 inch thick cutting board stock, it is nice and slick and easily slides as I need to move the device up and down the rod as I wrap.

This is the thread stand that I use - in conjunction with the thread tension device when I use very large thread spools. Notice that the thread feeds off the top of the spool, as is the case when this type thread spool is used in commercial sewing machines. The thread spool does not turn. No heavy spool to affect the thread tension. Then, by using the coat hanger loops to direct the thread to the same level as I use with the small spools, I just place the large spool behind the tension device and run the thread through a line guide up to the thread tension device.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Try using the large "paper clips" from any office supply store instead of wing nuts. They are quickly/easily adjusted and won't slip [www.rodbuilding.org] I also use "screw protectors" from the hardwware store on each end of the spring. [www.grainger.com] Throw away the solid portion and slide the piece with the hole over each end of your threaded rod (fits perfectly on a 1/4' threaded rod) and it will allow everything to work smoothly without getting stuck or hung up.

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!!

With the way I use you can adjust the nut 1/4 or how ever tight you want and the nut Does Not turn at all
better to have tension on the spool then on the thread Especially with metallics

Bill - willierods.com

Hi David,
I've used the paper clips on my wing nuts for a long time and all is good.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2013 03:59PM by Col Chaseling.

Hi Col,

What is the purpose of using both wing nuts AND paper clips?? The paper clips are more than adequate enough to do the the job alone and a LOT easier that messing with wing nuts.

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!!

Can you tighten the paper clips to increase tension ??or do you have to Push Them ageinst the spool That is what i found

The wing nuts with the plate under them makes it easy to just turn the wing nut to increase tension A more precise adjustment

I used the paper clips and they did not seem to tighten up like the wing nuts did

Bill - willierods.com

Hi Mike,
Hope you are good.
I use both so I can repeat the thread tension as I count each half turn of the wing nut which would be very difficult if just using the paper clips which stop everything from moving. Works good for me and I always can repeat the tension as most of my madeira spools are full or close to it.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Thanks all for advice and info. The bulldog clips (paper clips) worked well.

cheers
Dave

Dave , If you would like any of the screw protectors that Mike Barkley was talking about . just drop me an email of you address and I'll sent you a dozen or so !!! They work great , no hang ups ..

<<<<DON>>>>
Fort Myers Fla.

G'Day Donald is there any chance that you could post a photo of the "Thread Protectors"

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

Barry,
The second link on Mike Barkley's first post.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

Thanks Col I'll have to get new glasses I completely missed the link

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

Hi Col,
I was looking at your picture of the tread tensioner and notice that you are using Mederia thread. Would you please advise what size bolts you are using and there appear to be something behind the washers at the bottom of the bolt and something between the washer on top of the thread spool and the washer on the bottom of the spring

Corky
Corky's Custom Rods
Savannah, Georgia

David,
Just go to an Ace Hardware store and purchase an " Elastic stop wing nut "
for the thread dia of the threaded rod. This will end all problems.

Hi Corky,
The bolts are 51/4 inches long by 1/4 inch diameter. The hole in the spool of madeira is 3/8 so a 5/16 or maybe a 3/8 would be ok. The bolts have 1 inch of thread.The end flat washer has a felt washer behind it and the front has 2 flat washers with 2 anti vibration washers epoxied together between them. That was supposed to stop the wing nuts from moving but wasn't totally sucessful so I added the paper clips and that fixed it. Not necessary to have them there but I left them. I also made a spacer so I can use smaller spools if required. Everything except the springs are 316 stainless. The springs don't show any corrosion after about six years.
Easy to make and works well.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia