Looking to smooth out the thread tensioner on my Alps power wrapper. It has a two spool thread carriage that is horizontal with spring tensioner. Have read about some improvements using rare earth magnets and wondered if someone can provide some pics or suggestions on this type modification. Any help is appreciated.
Are you sure you have an Alps wrapper, or could it be a Pac Bay wrapper with an Alps chuck? The reason I ask is the Alps power wrapper, at least the newer ones ( I am looking at a picture as I write this) has vertical posts for the thread spools, and an actual thread tensioning device that the thread runs through before it goes to the rod.
I have a Pac Bay power wrapper that has the type of thread carriage you are describing, but I upgraded to the Alps chuck. Anyhow, I guess it doesn't really matter. I switched out the springs on my thread carriage for rare earth magnets. It makes a big difference. The spool moves much smoother and you get really great control of the tension on the thread spool itself. I got mine a few years back from I believe it was Rougarou Rods. I just checked their web site and they no longer offer any kind of components or similar types of things, so it may not have been them.
Here is a link to where you can get magnets that are the exact same size as the ones I have on my wrapper. The only problem is, you have to buy 12 of them. I can't find a way to order just a pair, or 4 if you were going to use them on both spool shafts. It's $17.99 for 12 of them. Kind of stinks that you have to buy more than you would need, but I will say that knowing what I know now and the difference they make. I would pay the $17.99. They really do make a difference.
I was just thinking .... the threaded rod on my carriage is long enough that you could run two sets on each spool. One set on one side of the thread spool, and one set on the other side. It may make it even more smooth. Ya know ..... I think I am going to order some lol
It is the pac bay. On the road so made a guess. I think I’ll try them as I’m just not satisfied with the spring tensioner. I don’t mind ordering them so if you want four more, I would send them to you. Appreciate the info. Lemme know….
apdriver, glad I could help and I really appreciate the offer of you sending me 4 of them, very cool, but I ordered some right after I wrote my first post to this thread. lol Figured I could find some uses for the other ones.
Anyhow, thanks again for the offer. Much appreciated.
apdriver, for some reason it wouldn't send a picture to your phone. It just sat there and kept reading sending, so I'll just post the picture here. I've tried them two different ways. One with both nylon washers side by side and on the post side of the thread spool, and the other, the way you see them in the picture with the black thread. It works more smooth with the way I have them pictured with the black thread. Oh and I have another pair that I bought to use on the other side of the carriage, so I tried what I talked about in my prior post. Putting the magnets on both sides of the spool didn't work for me. I wrap with pretty high thread tension, and with magnets on both sides of the spool I just couldn't get the kind of thread tension that I like.
Thank you Bassbme. There would be a lot of combinations so you saved me some time and aggravation. I appreciate that. I see you got rid of the spring. Sure looks clean.
Will these magnets work for the vertical spring tensioner? Was building some ice rods today it kept adding tension out of nowhere! Let me know your thoughts!
I received mine and put them on my wrapper. One thing I will say, it does matter how you stack the spacers. Be sure and put the UHDP against the spool of thread and not your metal washers. Overall it’s a nice upgrade. Thank you Bassbme for the sage advice and posting your pics.
apdriver, I don't know about the sage advice thing, but glad they worked out for you. I knew they would. I don't know how much you've played with them thus far, but you will be surprised how much difference even small adjustments to the magnets, make. You can really get the tension dialed in.
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