I purchased an American Tackle Power Wrapper several years ago. It works great for my needs. The only issue I run into is the alignment of the track sections. Sometimes they are just off enough to cause the thread carriage to hang up. This is frustrating at times, especially when I have a good rhythm going and have to stop because the carriage is "stuck" where the section meet.. Does anyone have any suggestions or tricks to get the sections to align better and stay in alignment?

Robert,
Take your wrapper base to a machine shop that does aluminum welding. Have them set up the tracks so that they are perfectly aligned. Then, have them weld the track solid so that the track will never ever move again.

Bring along your thread carriage, so that the machinist can verify the track alignment and if necessary mill out the track for the perfect alignment that you want.

Good luck



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/2017 01:47PM by roger wilson.

You may find it helpful to slightly bevel the edges of the track sections where the rod supports and thread carriage run. This better helps the pieces engage the next track section.

...........

I bevelled the edge as Tom mentioned and took a level to the side of the sections, clamped the level and screwed down the sections, used thin gasket material too make shims the level the sections vertically, didn't take much.

I mounted mine to a board. particle board is usually the best for a non-warping base
align the wrapper sections on the board using a carpenters square
screw the first section in place
realign the 2nd section to the 1st
use a soft face clamp to hold the 2nd section in place. (similar to the IRWIN QUICK GRIP clamp)
try the thread carriage
as required realign the 2nd piece until you are satisfied
if practical for your setup, use a 2nd clamp to reduce risk of the 2nd wrapper section shifting during attachment
ensure screws are centered in the 2nd section holes
fasten section securely
recheck alignment with clamps removed




















0
move the thread carriage across the joint

I took a piece of 3/32" 6' long 2' wide piece of alum. in any hardware store, sand one side and the inside of the track ware thay meet.

Align the two pcs. and use a "alum." compatable" epoxie glue and lightly clamp it all together, let it set.
Did mine 5 years ago still holding strong.

Curt