The studs on the commercially available thread carriages have recessed ends on each stud. This fits a rectangular i.d. washer eliminating the rotation the the spring and wingnut. Ive noticed that when building a wrapper and using all thread when using the thread the rotation can rotate the washer,spring, and nut. This either tightens or loosens the nut.

Anyone sourced out threaded rod with square sides and rectangle i.d washers?

# 1 you can use plastic washers big box hardware store's carry them [ in my home town ]

William Sidney
AK

In addition to plastic washers I use two wing nuts facing each other. I lock them together with the "wings" out. This will prevent them from tightening or loosening.

David A. Gaestel

Search all dates for a post "Thread Tension - No Wingnuts" for a simple solution.

A very simple solution is to use a washer, a nylon locking nut (nut with a nylon lock on the inside), then keep a nut driver handy for the times that you need to change the adjustment of the nut.

Or, you can do the same thing that fishing reels use. Flatten one side of the stud with a grinder. Then, use a washer with a matching flat on one side so that the washer can not spin.

Be safe

Thanks guys. I was already using washers but was trying to use something with less tension then nylocks. I'll try flatting one side of a washer and stud

Get a few small binder clips.

I had the same problem a quite a few years ago & my solution was to use "Drill stops"that are held on by small grub screws .Even though I've upgraded to an Alps wrapper with my home made thread carriage & magnetic tensioners they are still used .The allen key is housed in a small hole drilled in the thread carriage & to date has not been replaced

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

I'm with Jeff, never moves and quick to change out thread when needed

Adam,
I have experimented from time to time with thread tension devices that put pressure on the spool. However, I have never been happy with those devices.

I simply use the tried and proven spring tension devices that apply tension to the thread just before it loops to the rod.

I do NOT use a tension device for metallic thread. This sort of device does not work well with metallic thread. I only use metallic thread for trim and then, just use it by the foot applied by hand.

This spring tension device is identical the tension devices used by virtually every sewing machine in the world. i.e. millions and millions of tension devices on the same number of sewing machines. Millions of miles of thread are run through these devices every year with few if any issues.

Run the thread through the tension disks, adjust the tension on the tension disks and go to work. For about 90% of my work, the tension never changes on the tension devices because I typically use the same diameter thread.

[www.mudhole.com]

p.s.
I also enjoy sewing as another part of my life and own several sewing machines from small to very large. Virtually every single one of my machines use a device of this design to control the tension on the single or multiple threads that are used in the machines.

Be safe

If you can try some thing like this It keeps the nuts from turning
[www.rodbuilding.org]

Bill - willierods.com

Bill,
A very simple but elegant solution for the issue.

This is by far the simplest and great way to take care of the "turning nut" issue.


Be safe



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/2015 04:50PM by roger wilson.

Roger
It may not look really nice ( I have them made from alum now ) But they work Got it from the Eco Wrapper

Bill - willierods.com

This is what we're talking about Bill.... Just having fun.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

I was calling them papper clips ?? Tried them had to really push them hard against the spool to get the tension I wanted Went back to the wing nuts LOL

Bill - willierods.com

I like using the wingnut in combination with a fender washer threaded to match the allthread.
It works flawlessly and provides infinitesimal adjustment to the tension, much more so than the binder clip.

If you are using 1/4" allthread, buy a 1.5" fender washer with a 3/16" hole and then use a 1/4-20 tap to create the threads.
Set the rig up in this order:
Nylon washer (these act as the "lubricant" to keep everything that turns turning)
Thread spool
Nylon washer
Spring
Nylon washer
Fender washer
wing nut.

Tighten the fender washer down to where you want the tension then use the wing nun to lock it in place.

Walt Natzke
Ripon, CA

Walt,
I read the post a couple of times to get the full meaning.

Apparently the one or two threads that you can get into a fender washer is sufficient to secure the washer on the threads of the thread stand?

If so, then you are essentially doing the classic double nut lock which always works very well.

My initial thought would be that there would not be sufficient threads in a fender washer to secure the washer over repeated use. But apparently it holds up?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/13/2015 10:55AM by roger wilson.