I build 6-10 rods/ year for myself and a few others, almost all light-med spinning rods. I stepped up from a phone book and coffee mug thread holder a few years ago to a homemade wrapper. I'm considering getting an electric wrapper but not sure what features that I'd like in one or even what is possible with one. Any help would be appreciated. I wouldn't mind a used one.

Thanks!
Scott

Get yourself a nice hand wrapper, the Sully. It breaks down to a tiny little thing, completely portable, easy to stick in a desk drawer, etc. It has an automatic tensioner and works great. IMO, the way to go ... especially for 6-10 rods per year. I have built hundreds of rods on one and never missed a beat. In case you were wondering, I owned a power wrapper and finally dusted it off and sold it. If heavy offshore rods were my thing, it would still be on my bench. For light rods (fly, bass, inshore) the hand wrapper is just a better solution for my needs/preferences. Angler's Workshop is where I would recommend making the purchase. FYI, it is made of top quality components ... it won't wear out.

Flex Coat, Pac Bay and batson all make a nice handwrapper. I think Batson's are on sale now as well. Utmost Enterprises has them all. Entry level power wrappers from Batson and Pac Bay are a good start, if power is what you want. If you choose that route, it pays to invest in the upgraded chuck...which I believe they both offer as well. Power is nice, not necessary, but if you can afford it, a good investment in the craft.

Scott,
The other avenue is to build a wrapper yourself.
Basically, a wrapper consists of a base, 3 or 4 rod rests, a thread tension device and a power unit and head stock.

Be safe

Unless you are dying to have a power wrapper, at 6-10 rods a year, a decent hand wrapper will do nicely. If you plan on expanding to 20-50 rods a year, then a power wrapper might be a good choice. People build a lot of nice rods on hand wrappers, and I used one for years before upgrading. The Sully wrapper is a good choice, as is the Flexcoat wrapper. It's pretty easy to make one yourself if you want to save a little money.

If you've been working off a phone book and a cardboard box with V notches, a hand wrapper with a solid thread tensioner will be a good deal for you.

Terry

Check out the photo page under equipment A lot of builders have built some nice wrappers get some ideas

Bill - willierods.com

Although I am not a volume builder, I bought an Alps power wrapper last year.
I have some arthritis in my hands and twisting the rod sometimes gave me a lot of pain.
I still do fine work by turning the rod by hand, but having the whole rod supported is a real bonus.
Applying finish and drying are much easier with power.
Turning cork is a piece of cake, and if you ever get a high spot in the finish, over an inlay etc, it's a snap to sand it out.
All the basic wrappers are pretty much the same, but I think the Alps chuck is out standing.
Garry2rs



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/2013 12:11AM by Garry Thornton.

OOPS!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/2013 02:54PM by Garry Thornton.

I would suggest reading all info on wrapper chucks with the search here

A lot of problems with them holding rods

Bill - willierods.com

With that low of volume, it depends more on the type of rods you build. For example. if you build fly rods or light spinning rods, it probably does not make sense, as the guide wraps are short. If you are doing heavier rods with bigger and longer wraps, it's still a little dicey for that few, but would work.

I build only fly rods and almost exclusively with single foot guides, so a power wrapper for me makes no sense. It would be; start/stop.

Look at it this way...If you want it, buy it!
The cost is about the same as a couple tanks of gas, or dinner out with the family.
If you decide it's not for you, you can sell it for basically what you paid.
I think a power wrapper made rod building more enjoyable for me.
A friend, who builds beautiful float rods, uses a tiny wooden hand wrapper...and I don't dispute others can do the same...However I wouldn't go back.
Garry2rs

Thanks fellas!

I purchased a power wrapper this past fall and really like it. It does have an updated chuck which is nice. I have a thumb that is missing one joint (arthritis) so turning by hand was doable, but not nice. I had a tendency to shuffle the rod from side-to-side when rotating it. With the power wrapper there is less fatigue.

Chester

May your line be tight and your beverages be cold!