Hey guys,

Im in the market for a power wrapper. I’ve had my eyes set on the flexcoat power wrapper/finishing machine but saw that mudhole has the rbs gen 2 wrapper(appears to be equivalent to the flexcoat one) on sale slightly cheaper. I know both flexcoat and mudhole offer quality products so I’m sure both units are fantastic but was wondering if anyone had any insights to offer to help with my decision. Anyone have either of these units? Are there other wrappers on the market that you can suggest?

Thanks guys!

Great topic!

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

I have the DC777 flexcoat wrapper/finishing machine and have been very happy with it. This is the only machine I've ever had so can't really compare to others on the market. The Flexcoat motor has great adjustability (forward and reverse and speed control) without having to mess with any belts or anything. The slip clutch is super nice when applying finish to allow you to easily stop the rod rotation and hit a small area or do some touch-up work. They recently have updated some things and have a newer machine called the DX777. If you haven't already, I'd strongly suggest checking out the videos on the machines at the Flexcoat website [youtu.be] and [youtu.be]

Also checkout the "Catch the Wave" video for some pointers on applying finish.

I would say you would be very happy with the Flexcoat machine. Give the folks at Flexcoat a call and I'm sure they would be happy to answer any questions for you. Great people.

X2 with Kevin, also that slotted board behind the motor has room for tool/supply storage if you buy the accessories that work on those slotted board panels you can install in your shop or garage.

I've got the DC777 too. That machine is the cat's meow. If you get the DX777, you'll never look back. And if you go to FlexCoat to pick it up, I'll bet John Cates will even walk it out to your car for you.

Mac

Al

It is a good question and I enjoy reading all of the valid and often biased responses of the pros and cons of the various wrapping machines available.

I do not think you could go wrong with any of the top brands, any shortcomings can be managed with satisfactory results.

I got around that confusion by making my own wrapping and turning system that suits my specific needs and most likely, I am the only one that can operate it.

If you are mechanically inclined you may consider building your own wrapping system.

Help for selection of motors and hardware is readily available on the site.

Sadly, depending on how deep you dive into it, the cost can be more than the existing ready made units.

Fortunately I have been blessed with mechanical skills and am able to build my own equipment. So...

My philosophy is " I did not like factory rods so I build my own, I'm not excited about factory wrapping units so I built my own".

Again, you can't go wrong with any of the units mentioned above.

Have fun

John

If you plan on constructing lots and lots of rods then a power wrapper makes sense .


A saw somebody selling one in the "For sale" section .


"Selling Flex Coat OEM Power Rod Wrapper for $375. I purchased this rod wrapper new. It was used to make about six rods"


I wrap by hand without power but I also don't build tons of rods .

I am in the same search and I think the scales have tipped in favor of the flex coat because of the faster dryer speeds which look like it could help level finishes faster.
Also, after adding a slip clutch to the variable speed rod dryer I bought to start out with, I can't imagine finishing without it.

On top of that, I don't think I can bring myself to turn cork on the same machine I will be applying finish on. In fact, I think that all of my grip turning will be outside in order to keep my shop/garage in a cleaner state...

So even though the CRB looks cooler, is less money, and has better looking rod stands, I think for what I need, the Flexcoat has the better features that will be more useful to my situation...

Let us know which way you go and how it works. I still have time to change my mind since my current hand wrapper setup on CRB rails is working great...
Harry

Don't know how dryer speed makes the finish level faster since you can get a beautiful job just 180 turning the rod by hand every minute or so, than even less as it sets up. I'd choose function over bling everytime, the Flexcoat people have the experience to build it right, just look at the wheel overlap on their wrapper and the simplicity of design.

chris c nash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you plan on constructing lots and lots of rods
> then a power wrapper makes sense .
>
>
> A saw somebody selling one in the "For sale"
> section .
>
>
> "Selling Flex Coat OEM Power Rod Wrapper for $375.
> I purchased this rod wrapper new. It was used to
> make about six rods"
>
>
> I wrap by hand without power but I also don't
> build tons of rods .

Ditto

Al purvis Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey guys,
>
> Im in the market for a power wrapper. I’ve had
> my eyes set on the flexcoat power
> wrapper/finishing machine but saw that mudhole has
> the rbs gen 2 wrapper(appears to be equivalent to
> the flexcoat one) on sale slightly cheaper. I know
> both flexcoat and mudhole offer quality products
> so I’m sure both units are fantastic but was
> wondering if anyone had any insights to offer to
> help with my decision. Anyone have either of these
> units? Are there other wrappers on the market that
> you can suggest?
>
> Thanks guys!


My thoughts. Don't buy based on cost. Seen on here so many who did THEN upgraded for better chuck (thus purchasing two chucks) for one thing. i chose to not have my dryer on same base as my wrapping. You need to choose which way it turns thus have thread either coming from back or front. Finally, I do all dusty turning separate from my clean wrapping room. I even blocked the floor register so I don't circulate dust in the clean room. Think about it before you buy. Like the old adage, "measure twice and cut ONCE"!

Hello All.

I've got 5 or 6, a couple I built 2 or 3 Pac Bay plus a bunch of different drying set-ups and I like Em all.

I never did a lot of rod selling but I think I did my share of building.
When I was hard on building marlin rods I liked the way the motors ran through the long under wraps, when I was back to nature, building rods from just about anything you can think of from reeds found in the back yard too willow or birch or oak limbs cut from the tree an sized-up on the rod or wood lathe depending on size.

A power wrapper can be useful even when not using the motor, you can use it to put tension on your rod so in the middle of a wrap you can get up and answer the phone, or go to the head, I sometimes hook my rod into it and set up for weaving so it's easer to keep trac of rotations.

Yep I like Em All.

Pick one or build one you'll find a use for it.,


Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Note:
An excellent way to have a power wrapper is to have a motor on the power wrapper that will reliably turn the rod continuously at 5 rpm and simply turn up the speed to any faster speed that you wish for wrapping.

That way, you are working on a rod and wrap at speeds that are convenient for you.

Then, when it is time to apply finish you can apply finish at any speed up to the maximum speed of the wrapper.

Finally, for the long drying time, simply turn the speed dial down to a drying speed you prefer and you are set.

No belts to change, no plugs, to change, no rods to move to a different machine.

If you are into production rod building, then, it makes sense to transfer the rod to a multi rod dryer of any design you prefer to free up the machine that is used for wrapping and finish application.

This is typical of the production sequence used by all of the name brand production rod factories.

--------------------------------------
For a wrapper system, I consider the following needs.
The ability to turn a rod at speeds from 0 to a maximum comfortable wrapping speed - somewhere around 150-400 rpm.
The ability to have the same machine to reliably turn the rod at speeds from 5 rpm to the maximum speed - in either direction mandantory.
A chuck on the machine that is 100% bullet proof and will reliably hold the rod with no fear of failure.
I personally prefer the use of a single motor, so that there is no belt changing or other tooling changes required to go from wrapping to finish application to drying.

Best wishes

I would go with Flex-Coat.