I've been using a hand wrapper for quite some time. From the beginning, slack caused by the rubber bands releasing their elasticity when I'd stop wrapping really irritated me. So I bought a spring wire thread tensioning device which pretty much took care of the problem. However, I've been considering moving to a power wrapper. I realize that power wrappers don't use rubber band tensioning, but how positive are they in maintaining consistent tension when you stop wrapping and can chuck be turned manually as well? I'm not visualizing how they can be turned back without a spring tensioning device either. Thanks in advance for your input in spite of my poor attempt to describe my concerns.

There is a spring on the thread tensioning devise of most power wrappers.
These tensioners are stolen from sewing machines and have been around since Ole King Cole was a Prince.
It is small, and only tightens about 1.5 inches of thread...If you have to back up a long way you will have to rewind your spool as you go.
Yes you can turn the chuck manually...If you don't step on the power peddle you have a very fancy manual winder

Teague,
I prefer to use the DC powered wrapper that I make.
The wrapper uses a small dc gear motor - powered by a variable voltage power supply.
It is very easy to reverse direction on a DC motor. Simply swap the voltage leads going to the motor and the motor reverses.
So, I incorporate a reversing switch on the power supply, so that I can back up the wrapper as much as I need if I make a mistake.


When I stop the power wrapper, there is no backing up or slack in my thread feed.

If I do a mistake and need to reverse, I flip the switch, press the pedal and back up as much as needed. I just grab the thread on the supply side of the tensioner and take up any slack in the thread. Very simple and easy.

Be safe

Very helpful. Thanks gents.

Hi Roger

Do you sell these? Any pictures?

Roger built this DC Set-up for me. It use a Switch to control the rotation direction, I installed a full bench length control rod to the switch

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]

[www.rodbuilding.org]



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 11/25/2013 10:23PM by Barry Thomas Sr.

I do not have much experience with different brands and models of rod lathes but I suppose that the answer to your question would be dependent on which brand or model you choose. I use a CPW rod lathe and the model that I have is directly connected to the motor with no pulley nor belt. The motor is free wheeling when not powered so it is easy to turn by hand ( backwards and forward) when the situation dictates. The rod will back up on you especially if using large spinning guides but this can be overcome by tightening down on the rollers so that more friction is created. However, this will also make it harder to hand turn. The DC motor with a six way switch works good too but I find it cumbersome to have to do the switching and rather do it by hand turning. Having said that, you need a motor that is free wheeling to do this. Before you buy, you should ask these questions about the brand and model that you are buying.