I have been reading prior posts on this topic and still am undecided on "upgrading" to a custom power wrap machine. I have the standard pac bay power wrapper I bought 6 years ago. I am in the process of upgrading the chuck and the foot petal. The only two problems I have had is with the machine is with the chuck and the foot petal. The chuck doesn't hold the blanks in even when wrapping not just turning cork. The foot petal is unresponsive. That being said what would the benefit be in getting a CPW as opposed to the pac bay with these upgrades? I have read a lot of posts that are vague and don't really explain the difference. Thanks guys this is a potentially big purchase so I'd really like to get a better idea.

For a really great chuck, you might check out the "Taig" chucks.

These chucks use a 3/4 X 16 thread, so you need a shaft with that thread size to handle the chuck.

You can also purchase the Taig head stock which is designed to handle the chuck. Then mount the necessary pulley, mount the head stock at the correct elevation and you will be good to go.

Much less expensive solution than buying a different wrapper.

[www.taigtools.com]

part "1050" for the chuck.

[www.super-tech.com]

Part 100-00L for head stock.

Part "1050" for the chuck.

p.s. The taig chuck is essentially identical to the chuck that is used on the Renzetti power wrapper.

Be safe

It's more than "essentially" identical - it is identical. The Renzetti unit uses the Taig chuck.

You might also check with Pacific Bay to see what upgrades they offer for the machine you have now.

..............

The CPW uses a Taig chuck and headstock, and you can change speeds by moving the belt on the pullies on the head stock. The thread carriage, etc. from your Pac Bay or Batson will work on it.
Much easier to transport than a Renzetti, if the need arises.

You may want to see the ALPS upgrade. Haven't personally used it but I hear it is pretty good. Will fit on the pac bay if it is the one on the extruded aluminum .

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

The only difference between the CPW extruded bed and the Batson/Pac Bay beds is the color, mine are gold vs silver. The Alps headstock looks similar to the Taig in size, etc. The CPW also has some additional accessories, reaally like the Susan to hold my tools, etc. Has a magnet to anchor your razor blade to the carriage.