I'm looking at getting in building some rods, but I am unsure of what wrapper to buy.

 

I'm looking at the CRB bundle with the wrapper, basic tools and dryer.

 

I do not really want to invest in a power wrapper right now, so I would like to stick to a hand wrapper.

I like hand wrappers for wrapping guides. I have a Flexcoat HW1 and a Flexcoat Speedwrapper.  I don't like the rollers on the Speedwrapper so I use V-blocks instead.  I only use my Alps powerwrapper for applying finish at high speed.  For years, I applied finish with a 18rpm Flexcoat drier.

3 hours ago, S Hovanec said:

I like hand wrappers for wrapping guides. I have a Flexcoat HW1 and a Flexcoat Speedwrapper.  I don't like the rollers on the Speedwrapper so I use V-blocks instead.  I only use my Alps powerwrapper for applying finish at high speed.  For years, I applied finish with a 18rpm Flexcoat drier.

Would you recommend the flexcoat specifically for the price or do you think the CRB kit would be a better value?

Are you looking at the FSB-2?  That kit looks like it has just about all you'll need.  When I got into building,  kits like that didn't exist.

If you really want to test the waters wrap one on a cardboard box with v grooves and babysit the epoxy turning by hand. It's a little tedious but gives a good insight into how epoxy behaves. 

I still use a bowl and put the thread through a fat book for wrapping the guides.  I use this dryer for when I apply epoxy... I would like to the clutch head though so I can stop it when I want

 

 

http://www.mudhole.com/RDS-Rod-Dryer

9 minutes ago, Iluvsmallies said:

I still use a bowl and put the thread through a fat book for wrapping the guides.  I use this dryer for when I apply epoxy... I would like to the clutch head though so I can stop it when I want

 

 

http://www.mudhole.com/RDS-Rod-Dryer

I got tired of pulling the plug on my FC motors when I wanted to stop the rod, so i installed inline switches.

Unless your building a lot of big, long saltwater butt wraps, or turning a lot of cork and EVA you'll never really need a power wrapper. You can turn cork on a hand drill and mandrel, again negating the need for a power wrapper.

24 minutes ago, spoonplugger1 said:

Unless your building a lot of big, long saltwater butt wraps, or turning a lot of cork and EVA you'll never really need a power wrapper. You can turn cork on a hand drill and mandrel, again negating the need for a power wrapper.

I'm not really looking for a power wrapper, I'm just not sure which hand wrapper to buy as there are quite a few around.

Look at home made wrappers others have made you might be able to save yourself some money. The wrapper and the thread carriage need not be integral. (Rod Building.org has many such photos.)

My first was a simple homemade wood one that I clamped to a table, that used screw eyes covered with tape for the rod holder and it worked OK until I started doing a lot of multicolor thread work.   So you don't even have to buy anything, if you can cut a few pieces of scrap and hammer a few nails, if you're not making a lot.

I bought a manual adjustable wood one in the 80's (can't remember the name - but still have and would sell cheap, if interested).   It was nice in that you could leave in the middle of a wrap and keep tension until you returned.   But I recommend covering your work to keep the dust off.

Then I bought a power wrapper from Clemen's back in the day and still use it.   I modified a sewing machine cabinet to house the parts when not in use and use the adjustable rubber footed rollers for all the tasks like turning, layout, etc.   I don't think I'd go back to manual after using power for so long, but I understand, if you only build one or two a year, it's a cost factor.  Not sure the news ones are any good.   I've slowed up, because you can get quality rods off the shelf, which was a problem in the '60-'90s period but as my old specialty rods need replaced, I just crank out a new one.   I just made a new one piece 7' spinnerbait rod.

I'm not that familiar with what's out there today and some of the places I've dealt with recently aren't knowledgeable about product, so be careful, especially with internet buys.  

I have a cheapo wood lathe I do all my cork turning on.   One of those Chinese wholesale outlet types.   I bought a 1" Jacobs drill chuck for it.   It's a pain to store, so act accordingly.

I still use my old Clemen's internal vise, just put on new orings and it goes.