Difference between a Wrapper and a dryer??

RedfishSlayer · Post by **RedfishSlayer** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 1:50 pm

I'm thinking about getting into rod building and I was wondering what is the difference between a wrapper and a dryer if there is any?

noles · Post by **noles** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 3:59 pm

Wrappers are used in wrapping the guides to the blank. Basically your work station. You have two types to choose from; a manual one or a power wrapper.

http://shop.mudhole.com/core/media/medi ... ddd6c89d22
Manual One

http://shop.mudhole.com/core/media/medi ... 8e75d2300e
Power Wrapper (rod lathe) -- $$$$

Dryers are used in the application of the finish to the guide wraps. It slowly turns the rod to level and dry the finish on the wraps. You can turn it manually but its easier to just pop it in the dryer and let it spin until the finish cures.

http://shop.mudhole.com/core/media/medi ... 16caba7ad4

Before you head out an buy the commercially available units; you can build all the equipment yourself. PM me and I'll send you info.

LivelyBaits · Post by **LivelyBaits** » Wed Mar 29, 2006 4:00 pm

The wrapper is usually a pedal driven machine. It will wrap faster when you press the foot pedal down further (just like a sewing machine).

The dryer is usually powered by a switch and has one speed. It is also my experience that it only goes one direction. With the wrapper you can "back off" thread as needed.

yohan1973 · Post by **yohan1973** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:22 pm

Speaking of wrappers, What qualities should a newbie look for in one.
I've got my eye on a couple on ebay?

islander · Post by **islander** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:52 am

$12 or so:

12x24 white shelving (home depo).
3/16 dowel rod
thread tensioner (5.99 from cabelas)
eyelet screws.
2x4 scraps, 1x4 etc. notched to cradle rod.
3/16" drill bit
wood glue.

Find the center, locate the hole for the tensionor three inches down.

Place dowels to hold thread around two inches from tensioner, above or below is up to you. Pro wrappers have em down. Mine are up.

Place eyelets where desired, dead center from tensioner.

This is what I built. It works well. I'm only building a few rods, so I didn't want to shell out any extra money. If I get around to it, and whenever I finish my first debacle, I'll put up a pic.

yohan1973 · Post by **yohan1973** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:37 am

islander wrote: This is what I built. It works well. I'm only building a few rods, so I didn't want to shell out any extra money. If I get around to it, and whenever I finish my first debacle, I'll put up a pic.

I'd like to see that. I've resolved to not buying one unless I get a super sweet deal on a wrapper/dryer.
I'm going build one from foamcore since I have no power tools other than the dremel. I finally got around to checking Cabelas, they have some really nice starter kits, However, I'll be stopping at Mudhole sometime this week to pick up my first kit.

noles · Post by **noles** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:35 pm

Save your money and spend it on a blank. Here's instruction on how to build a wrapper:

http://www.rodbuilding.org/library/buildjig.html

LivelyBaits · Post by **LivelyBaits** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:42 pm

Good one Noles.

And I have used my buddy's wrapper as the dryer too, I just put down newspapers for any flex coat drips.

I think for me, using the power wrapper has been a very nice item because I like to do nice underwraps that are a different color than the overwrap, so you can definitely do that a lot faster. but it's certainly not a necessity.

NEIL