Thread Tension Type

[Sam Kirk]

I see rod crafters use the spool with washers to adjust the tension. I see people use bobber tensioners'. Two. Cupped washer with a spring and it is fed to two eye screws. There is that set up plus a rod tensioner that takes our the slack. Is one better than the other? I just scrapped the first wrapping jig. I found one that is simple and easy to take down and set up. Now I am working with the thread tensioner.

[MikeK]

I prefer tension on the sides of the spool with a flexible reverse tension device. I use 4 different wrappers at times and they all are set up that way.  Don't know about better but that is how I learned a long time ago.  Look at the CRB Core as an inexpensive basic but well designed hand wrapper.

[spoonplugger1]

Tensioners that tension the spool itself increase tension as the spool is depleted, realize that and they are fine, some say the sewing machine type disc tensioners cause thread fuzzies, I have not experienced that over a few decades of using one, but it's worth mentioning. Pick your poison.

[MickD]

While the tension varies with the thread left on the spool, a much bigger effect, IMHO, is the diameter of the blank on which one is wrapping.  Might have to adjust the tension depending on the blank diameter.  

 

I don't like the tensioners that compress washers against the ends of the spool because labels on the spool affect the tension, and often the tension cannot be held constant at any level.  The old Flex Coat tensioner mentioned is said to be a problem with metallics, but I never used it for metallics (just for trim) and I never had a problem with it on non-metallic thread.  I think that kind of tensioner is used on commercial equipment, so I think with the right thread it works just fine.