How do you keep wire spools from unwinding?

[ScottP]

I take a drill to the outer portion of the spool somewhat away from the metal itself. On a large spool I usually put four around like 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock. Thread the wire through the hole at the amount you want and then snip it off.

I do something similar, I use a box cutter to make thin slits at a few places around the edge of the spool. I unwind what I need, then pull the wire into the nearest slit until it's snug, cut off what I want and the rest stays put. It's free, easy, and it works.

 

[DaveP]

I do nothing. My wires are a mess. Im a mess. What am i gonna do with myself?

I hear you! I've rewound at least one spool of SS316 that unwound when I dropped it. It's all good. It works fine if you are able to recover without kinks.

 

[Brewdawg1181]

I'm sorry but I can't make out what is done here. Could you explain?

It's just a rubber band with a loop twisted in it.

 

[Fidola13]

I use Beadalon spool tamers
Beadalon spool tamers - Google Search

What a great item!! I’m going to get some of these!!!

 

[Fidola13]

Beadalon Spool Tamers, it's all I use, pick them up at Michaels.

Designed to keep wire on the spool with easy access.

Perfect! Wish I had known about these 3 or 4 unwound coils of spools ago lol!! Just ordered from Amazon for a few bucks.

 

[smacuser]

I like this too if you can find fat one but sadly the rubber decays and makes a horrible mess of the wire if it do

Good thing I eat lots of broccoli .

 

[sonicbomb]

I used to make a cut in the rim of the spool then capture the end of the wire in it. Then I bought some spool tamers and they work a treat. Rodger, over.

 

[Spydro]

I use Beadalon spool tamers
Beadalon spool tamers - Google Search

Me too. I rarely use wire anymore for coils, but the spools are all still kept tidy thanks to them.

 

[JCinFLA]

Have known about Beadalon Spool Tamers since they first came out. However, I've never bought any before. The spools of Beadalon jewelry-making wire I've used for 18 years...always come with a wide, clear plastic, wire keeper on them. It flexes enough to just slip it on and then it stays pretty tightly around the spool. It isn't a complete circle, so there's a gap to pull out what's needed each time while keeping the rest from unwinding.

You'd think that the makers of coil-building wire could easily put one of those on each spool when they make it. Wouldn't cost them but maybe 2-3 cents.

 

[jim_87]

I drill holes and park the wire in the closest hole after cutting off a section of wire.

I like the Beadalon idea. I'll have to look next time I'm near a Michael's store.

Who would'a thunk Michael's sells vape supplies...

 

[JCinFLA]

Who would'a thunk Michael's sells vape supplies...

They carry them because of the spools of jewelry wire they sell. Some people don't care for the plastic ring that comes with the spools, or they break it. I'm sure Beadalon and the vendors, don't mind the additional purchases from vapers at all.

In fact, I just bought a set of 3 Beadalon Spool Tamers on eBay, from a jewelry supplies seller I've dealth with for years. Cost me a whole $.35 including S/H since I used a surprise pop-up $5 off eBay coupon. Interested to see if they're really any better than the free plastic ring.

 

[HauntedMyst]

Do you guys have clever tricks or tools to keep wire spools tidy?

I just make my wife hold them until I'm ready to make another coil. She's threatened divorce multiple times.

 

[MacTechVpr]

I just make my wife hold them until I'm ready to make another coil. She's threatened divorce multiple times.

Not too shabby, as clever tricks go.

And what pray tell do you do for a mod stand?
(I hate to ask.)

Good luck.

 

[bombastinator]

Have known about Beadalon Spool Tamers since they first came out. However, I've never bought any before. The spools of Beadalon jewelry-making wire I've used for 18 years...always come with a wide, clear plastic, wire keeper on them. It flexes enough to just slip it on and then it stays pretty tightly around the spool. It isn't a complete circle, so there's a gap to pull out what's needed each time while keeping the rest from unwinding.

You'd think that the makers of coil-building wire could easily put one of those on each spool when they make it. Wouldn't cost them but maybe 2-3 cents.

So I immediately googled those tamer things because daaaamn! and I ran across this video in the “related” section from an ecig fourm in South Africa of all things. Me likee
The setup.

 

[WhiteHighlights]

I use an old trick that I learned from someone here (I think) back in the dark ages...
I cut a piece from an eraser, the kind some of us used to have in our school supplies, to wedge in the spool.
It's not as elegant as the wire tamer, but it works to keep it from unwinding. Recycle & re-use LOL.

 

[JCinFLA]

I ran across this video in the “related” section from an ecig fourm in South Africa of all things. Me likee

I can't watch it to see what it's about, unfortunately (Windows 10 updating processes, internet connection speed, etc.). Got any "Cliff Notes" on what it shows?

 

[bombastinator]

I can't watch it to see what it's about, unfortunately (Windows 10 updating processes, internet connection speed, etc.). Got any "Cliff Notes" on what it shows?

The title is “lazy ... Claptons”. It shows how using a guide made out of an empty coil cartridge, one of those coil tamer devices and a weight, one can create an automatic Clapton coil winder.

 

[bombastinator]

It's just a rubber band with a loop twisted in it.

Sort of. It’s also got a handle and a hole. Would such a thing be makable with a rubber band and some cardboard or something? Sure. Which is why I suspect they’re so cheap. Anyone who needs one is already a DIY type. They need to be cheap enough to not be worth the trouble of building yourself.

 

[Brewdawg1181]

Sort of. It’s also got a handle and a hole. Would such a thing be makable with a rubber band and some cardboard or something? Sure. Which is why I suspect they’re so cheap. Anyone who needs one is already a DIY type. They need to be cheap enough to not be worth the trouble of building yourself.

No, my post saying it was just a rubber band with the loop was in response to CMD Ky's question about this pic I posted, not the Beadalon or other devices.

Me, I just use the slot already in the spool, cut one myself, or just push it thru a hole in the spool. Since I usually make my coils a dozen or so at a time, I don't really need anything else.

 

[smacuser]

Just buy some broccoli.

Whoa, what wire is that?