Just curious as to any advantages of running the thread over the top, or under the bottom of the blank. Also, how about the location of the spool. On the front side, or behind the blank.

Curious minds want to know. Thanks!

It's personal preference. On my wrapper, the spools are behind the rod mounted around the height of the rod, either slightly below or above depending on which bolt the spool is on. I then run the thread under the rod through and old double foot guide and up and over the top of the rod. I find that the thread taking that path makes it easy to see what is going on and leaves plenty of room for my hands in front of the rod.

If I have a thread that fuzzes up easily, I'll bypass the the guide and go straight from the spool to the blank.

My wrapper is far from perfect, but the next iteration will use the same line path.

as pointed out personal what ever works out for you ,

William Sidney
AK

I have the thread and tensioner behind the rod. The thread comes over the top of the rod and the top of the rod is turning toward me. Very simple and works very well.

Quite a few fellows around here use the same setup with excellent results as well.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

If I understand the question correctly I think you worded it wrong. The thread always goes over the top. The difference is the direction of rotation of the blank, the pac bay and similar the carriage feeds from in front of the blank while a renzetti feeds from behind. But still over the top

Freddwhy (Rapt-Ryte)

Fred, I agree the thread always goes over the top, the question is how that occurs. By wrapping first over the top, then around, or under the bottom, then around.
Upon further consideration, I also agree that which side of the blank you wrap from will determine if the thread goes first over the top, or under the bottom. (unless your wrapper motor can change directions)
From what I gather, it's a personal preference, as well as what side of the blank the spool carriages are located, and whether they are mounted horizontally or vertically, and that neither method has an advantage over another.
I thank you all for the responses!

Steve

The thread will always run over the top of the blank. It depends on which side of the blank you are sitting when you start the wrap. Some setups do not let you work from either side and that could be an issue. If you can only work from one side then you may need a reversible motor or you have to turn by hand.


John

Got it John, thanks.
Has anyone ever heard of a wrapping motor that is able to reverse direction?
I'm not sure this can be accomplished using an ac powered motor.
I asked this question of an "expert" at Mudhole, and his answer was, "why would you want to do that?"
There are several reasons I would want to do that, the most important being undoing a misapplied wrap, using the direction change to remove a sacrificial thread from a tiger wrap, etc. etc.
There are probably more reasons, but they escape my brain at this moment.

For applications like removing the sacrificial thread or a bad wrap, one solution is to take the belt off of one of the pulleys and allow the rod to turn freely. Another option, if you want to power the motor and run it backwards is to put a figure 8 in the belt.

figure 8 works great but eats the belt a little faster that normal

William Sidney
AK

Steve,
Drop me an e-mail and I can fill in details to answer your question.

hflier@comcast.net

I agree with you on reversing the wrapper direction. I will not use a wrapper that is not capable of running in the opposite direction at the flip of a switch.

Be safe

Roger