Posted by:
roger wilson
(---.hsd1.mn.comcast.net)
Jon,
This is the setup that I use when building ice fishing rods.
[
www.rodbuilding.org]
The light is a Halogen swing arm light that I keep pretty close to the rod, so I have intense light on the rod and thread.
The light and the thread is behind the rod, so it is never in the way. I use a very simple sewing machine style spring loaded tension washers for the non metallic thread that I use for wrapping. As I wrap, the nylon base thread stand simply slides back and forth on the rod bench with no issue.
For magnification, I use a head band mounted magnifier. To have the correct focal length for ease of building, I use my single vision computer glasses that give me a magnified focal distance of about 15 inches which I find ideal for working.
[
www.amazon.com]
Although I normally wear trifocals, the use of single vision computer screen distance glasses in conjunction with the head band mounted magnifier makes seeing the wraps easy and crystal clear.
The key thing to have excellent detail work vision is adequate light.
[
www.bristolite.com]
Notice that for the work that we do while building rods, falls into the bottom category - which calls for 1500 foot candles of light on the work.
This, in contrast to a general office environment of 30 foot candles.
So, this is 50 times brighter light on the rod - compared to general office lighting.
By the way, I never use any spring loaded tension devices on my wrapper. I simply don't want any variation in the thread tension. I have a reversing switch on my wrapper. If I make a mistake, I flip the reversing switch, grab the thread and hit the foot pedal to back up the rod. Then, I will reposition the thread in the tension device to maintain the tension. If I have backed up a long way, I will spin the thread spool to take up the slack from backing up.
Lots of different ways to wrap.
But, as the chart points out - lots and lots of very good lighting is important to do a good job and to minimize eye strain.
Be safe
