I have a question for the group, does anybody have an Alps power wrapper with the upgraded chuck, pros and cons, or any recommendations? I have American tackle power wrapper with pacbay upgraded chuck and not very with the whole setup. Also thinking about the crb tracks and are they compatible with the alps unit? Need advice, thanks in advance.

The alps power wrapper's upgraded chuck is essentially a Taig headstock and chuck with some small differences. The headstock and chuck is top of the line. No comments on your other questions.


Take care

I'm curious as to what you aren't happy with? Is it the Pac Bay chuck, or are there other things about the unit you don't like? I ask because I have a Pac Bay wrapper, but instead of upgrading the chuck with the Pac Bay chuck, I upgraded with the Alps chuck.

Other than the fact that I wish the wrapping motor was a little more responsive to the foot pedal when I have the speed turned down, I am quite happy with it. As it's the only wrapping machine I've ever used (my first wrapper was a hand wrapper that I made) I don't know how it compares to the Alps, but there are things about the Pac Bay that I think are probably better than the Alps.

I like that the Pac Bays' thread carriage has the thread spools mounted horizontally and that thread tension is set at the spool versus going through a thread tension device like the Alps. If I make a mistake I just rotate the thread spool backwards as I rotate the rod backwards. I don't have to hold the thread coming off the wrap like I imagine you'd have to do with a unit that has a separate tension device. I will say that I upgraded the thread carriage with 2 pairs of rare earth magnets from Rougarou Rods (board sponsor in the left hand column) for adjusting the thread spool tension. The magnets make getting consistent thread tension much easier, and makes a huge difference in how smoothly the thread plays out.

Again, I haven't used the Alps rod stands but it appears their upper arms are spring loaded. To me it seems that moving the rod in and out of the machine would be easier with Pac Bay machine because you can manually tighten to upper arm open. You may be able to do that with the Alps as well though. So that may not be something that proves to be true,

Anyhow ...... I like the unit as I have it configured now. Definitely way better than in its stock form.

I had a Pac Bay initially and found it to be short of my expectations; the chuck consistently came loose and proved unreliable. I upgraded to an Alps system and couldn't be happier with it. The chuck stays put and has never caused me a problem. I can't say anything about CRB as I haven't seen the tracks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2019 09:05AM by Mark Hahn.

after 30 years of building went from hand wrapper Pac Bay wrapper (loved it ) and used for several years, until switching to the ALPS wrapper with upgraded chuck. The Pac Bay has sit in storage ever since , just in case I need it one day as a back up.

I prefer the Pac Bay thread carriage a little more then the Alps, but not enough to switch back
As far as I'm concerned there are no cons to the Alps.

Hello Steve.

Have you ever tried to use your Pac Bay thread carriage on your Alps track?


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Rob,

I use the Pac Bay thread carriage with the Alps wrapper all the time. Works just fine.

David,
Another option for you with the Alps wrapper:

Here is a picture of the Alps head stock with a motor change. There is a dc gear motor in the base of the head stock that is connected to the headstock shaft with an XL cogged pulleys and a belt. The motor is driven by an appropriate speed controller and power supply.


[www.rodbuilding.org]

Just another possibility for a different mouse trap - so to speak.

Take care

No never have tried to switch thread carriages
thank for the suggestion

No problem, see you at the CRBE, I'm 85% sure I will be there this year.


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.