4 Ways Tension Helps on Hand Wrapper

Although many reasons set the CRB Hand Wrapper apart from other hand wrappers in rod building, often the most overlooked features deal directly with tension.

Read more below to find out why wrapping with the right tension is important and how it brings about so many benefits to your custom fishing rod.

Why Is Tension on Wrapping Thread is Important

Before getting into the specific features, let's cover why tension is necessary in the first place.

If the right amount of tension is applied while the Rod Winding Thread is wrapped around the rod blank and guides, you will accomplish two things.

First, the thread will do its job of securing the guide to the rod blank — which is really important during the first several turns when the thread is moving from the blank up the guide foot.

During this transition, if the tension is too light, the guide will often slide out of place. If the tension is too tight, some guides might spring out from under the wrap — or may even break the thread (especially thread used for trim wraps).

Second, the right amount of tension — once all the guides are wrapped — will allow you to go back and make small adjustments to the guides to make sure they are in a perfectly straight line down the blank.

Let's take a close look at the 4 CRB tension features on the Hand Wrapper:

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Dual Spool Tensioners

The CRB hand wrapper comes with a Dual Spool Tensioner that can hold two spools of thread, which means you can quickly change from color to color fast and efficiently.

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More importantly, however, you can adjust the amount of thread tension you need by simple turning the wing nut. Tightening the nut applies more pressure on the spring that then makes it more difficult for the thread spool to turn. Of course the opposite occurs when you loosen the wing nut.

By controlling the amount of tension on the thread spool, you can control how tight or loose your thread is then applied to your blank and guides.

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Thread Tension Rod

The CRB hand wrapper also comes with a thread tension rod, which is designed to keep constant thread tension on your wraps, cushion the thread spool pressure, and allow you to reverse your wraps without losing tension on the thread.

While you are wrapping a guide and using the tension rod, you can reverse the rod blank and un-thread the guide wrap — while tension is still being applied to the thread.

Try doing this without a tension rod and you basically are starting all over again — because the thread will immediately unravel.

When it comes to the right amount of tension, you never want the tension rod pointing down or below the rod blank.

Instead, you want to keep the thread tight enough that the tension rod points at rod blank or slightly above it.

In order to adjust the thread on the tension rod, simply tighten or loosen the dual spool tensioner and in turn, the tension rod's location will tell you how close you are to the right amount.

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Smooth Slider Tool

Definitely don't overlook the Hand Wrapper's Smooth Slider. Since the thread passes through the slider, you can move it left or right and make sure the thread perfectly lines up next to the previous thread wrap.

This means you do not need to go back with a tool and keep pushing the thread down so it lines up correctly.

Let's Agree Tension Is A Good Thing

When you combine the Dual Spool Tensioners, the Thread Tension Rod and the Smooth Slider — you get a hand wrapping system that really is unparalleled in the market.

It allows you to truly customize and fine tune your thread wrapper to match your unique rod building requirements.

The CRB Hand Wrapper is a great rod building asset for both the beginners and veteran builders alike!