I’m looking at adding a power wrapper but am not finding too much info on the current options. I will use it for personal rods, and perhaps for friends and family. Being such, my budget is around $500. Not sure if I can get one that includes a handle / cork turner, but that would be great. Anyone what to share some resources that’ll help me make my choice? Maybe share your knowledge of the different options and what they can do / not do? TIA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/19/2022 11:14PM by Dennis Penton.

Dennis,
The subject of commercially available “power wrappers / rod lathes” has been introduced and beaten-to-death NUMEROUS times (use the search function). In my opinion, the FlexCoat “777” is the best bang-for-the-buck of all the currently available rod lathes. If that does not satisfy your needs, then consider building your own as I did.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I do my wrapping in an inside "clean" room, so I'm not interested in turning cork there.

I use my drill press in the garage for turning softer materials like cork. I have a simple inexpensive setup that makes it work very well, can provide info if desired.

First off let me say that $500.00 is a good budget for a power wrapper. If you want to get the most for your money start looking for estate sales, (there is a 4 day sale going on right now in Forked River,NJ that includes blanks, guides, and thread that I was informed of on Wed. but no time to go.) Next go to tackle shops and ask if they know of anyone that wants to get rid of rodbuilding items.You would be surprised how many wrappers are not being used and in storage. It doesn't hurt to ask, you just might get lucky.

Dennis J. Danku
(Sayreville,NJ)

I really like my Alps power wrapper/dryer. Additional parts can be purchased for it to turn grips, and glue cork rings. I even secured a pilot bit in the chuck to ream the cork grip on my latest build.

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF

Best power wrapper for the buck-Kind of like the old Ford/Chevrolet debate might even find a Rolls Royce in the mix. A lot of options out there.

I would imagine that on a forum like this that this subject has been exhausted ad nauseam. However when I do a search I only get one or two threads and not much information. Maybe I’m doing a search wrong but that’s why I have it posted here.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2022 01:54PM by Dennis Penton.

FlexCoat 777.

Mark Talmo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> The subject of commercially available “power
> wrappers / rod lathes” has been introduced and
> beaten-to-death NUMEROUS times

Mark...those old threads wont show any new products.
Like RBS Ultimate Power Wrapper (now $579).

I have a Pac Bay power wrapper that I updated with an Alps chuck. I have used it to build and turn cork grips, carbon sleeved foam core grips, and to cut and shape EVA grips. It has more than enough power to do all of the aforementioned tasks, quite easily. I made my own tool rest for turning cork, but they have factory built rests available. And while I have yet to find the need for a live center tail stock for the stuff I have done with it, (I just use the rod roller stands that came with it) they do have live center tail stocks available. Alps makes what looks like it would be a very nice tail stock that will fit with no problem.

And of course I use it for wrapping and applying finish. It also has a drying motor so it acts as a rod dryer by simply moving the drive belt. I purchased mine a few years ago, but I'd imagine you could get the wrapper and Alps chuck for around the budget you are looking at.

For me, it does an excellent job.

The power wrap sounds like mass-production. Given a choice between a power-wrapped rod and a skilled hand-wrapped rod which would you choose, and why?

Dennis - When doing a search on this site include all dates. If you do this you will see hundreds of posts
Norm

The Flexcoat 777 has many ideas I wish I had paid attention to. One, I think it's reversible, two, the horizontal work surface is clear which makes setting things down or staging for use .and cleanup so much easier than cleaning all the nooks and crannies on the others or having the base dictating how or where you put things.

When I was researching power wrappers I literally could not get enough of forum conversations revolving around them.

I ended up going with flex coat’s DC 777. Takes only seconds to reposition rod supports, is a very clean design, the slip clutch is very handy, the foot control quickly becomes second nature and the machine is reversible. It’s wonderful to finish on as well with the finishing support, you just slide the support from guide to guide. I also like the aesthetic. It has a warm quality that’s nice to sit down to if that makes sense. Oh yeah, the low speed operation is solid. If I had a wish list for the unit it would be that it was reversible from the foot peddle somehow....for me this is only a thing out near the tip top end of the rod where turning the blank by hand is a little more challenging.

Phil, I don’t know that I’d have a preference either way but the parallel between power wrappers and “mass produced” rods doesn’t apply I’d say. Not for me at least. I only ever use the wrapper at hand wrap speeds essentially so there’s no real speed savings. This flex coat unit also makes a first rate hand wrapper if you wish even with the rod in the chuck. Hand wrap as required and power is only ever a pedal squeeze away.

I transitioned to the 777 from a crb hand wrapper. There was no big time saving but there was some for sure as once the rod, or section, is chucked up the carriage slides from Guide to guide and is quicker than repositioning the stands and blank for most every guide like I had to with the crb. Flex coat also makes pretty decent hand wrappers as well from what I’ve seen.

Good luck with your research

Anyone know the differences between the ALPs and Forecast Power wrapper except for price. ALPs is $550 and Forecast is $375. I thought they were the same company. Do they share parts?

Are the chucks the same between the two? The Alps might include the upgraded chuck?

I will give another vote for the DC 777 as well. I probably use it as a hand wrapper mostly but nice to use as power when wanted, usually at a fairly slow speed, which is pretty easy with the DC 777. But I haven't compared to others, so take that with a grain of salt.

As far as I can tell, the only difference is the upgraded chuck on the Alps.

Tight Lies and frisky fish

RJF

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Hello everyone!

Great topic and I don't think it has been talked about enough. I have been personally obsessed with motors, power wrappers, and finishing machines for the last 5 years. In fact, the Flex Coat DC777 is my baby. I developed it through talking to rod builders, electrical engineers as well as others in our trade (all smarter than me). While nothing in this world is perfect, I believe that for the money, the DC777 is the best out there, and many agree. You should know that at Flex Coat we are very hands on. We don't order our equipment from a factory overseas or even down the road. We make it right here in Driftwood, Tx. In fact, I make it. I cut the wood, I wire the motors, I assemble and test every machine and motor that goes out for the DC777. You can call me and talk about the machine. Many times we can make custom changes that you would like, many times at no extra charge, like adding more thread spool holders, extensions or making the boards in two pieces for mobility and storage. My point is, all things considered, I am not sure you can get that anywhere else.

The DC777 is listed with many of our dealers and on www.flexcoat.com with FREE SHIPPING.

The video I made of the DC777 hits all the features:
[www.youtube.com]

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

John,

I have seen the comment someplace else. Do you have a remote switch for Forward/Reverse that can follow you down the rod? Many times I want to reverse the thread and having that ability would be nice without having to go all the was to where the motor is on longer rods. (I usually spin the thread
spool at same time to keep tension so sometimes a bit harder to spin rod by hand)

Thanks