J.D. Wagner Bamboo Rod Gluing Binder

The J.D. Wagner Cane Rodbuilding Binder

At long last, an affordable, versatile and high-quality binder! Rather then merely copy existing binder plans, we decided to start from scratch and totally redesign the tool, making improvements as we went. Thus, this is the first binder that can work in three different binding modes:

As a conventional Garrison-style binder.(Good)

As a DeGere-style endless belt-style binder.(Better)

As a motor driven-style binder of our own design.(Best!)

Like all of our tools, we thought the design through with care based on experience. The redesign was based on years of working with a modified Garrison-style binder, and there was plenty of room for improvement! We also were aiming for simplicity! I've seen all sorts of fancy binders, some costing a lot of money, but I firmly believe that keeping everything simple and functional is the best way to work.

J.D. Wagner Rod Binder

We redesigned the support arms with a deeper radius so that larger sections could be bound, including quads. The arms of each support were moved further out from the body of the machine so that people with 'normal' size hands could easily get the binding thread around the section and knotted! This is especially welcomed by people that are new to the craft...you have enough headches trying to figure out which way the binding belt goes around the section...meanwhile the glue is tacking up and setting, and the last thing you need is be fiddling in a confined space trying to get the belts started!

Needless extra rollers were eliminated...they add nothing to the functionality of a binder except to drive up cost and have more surface area to pick up glue, have the belt get caught or tangled, or bind due to friction or excess glue. Everything was simplified so that machining costs were kept low, but quality and functionality high.

The body of the binder is one-piece, 1/4" aluminum so that there is no worry about corrosion....in fact, all of the components used in it's construction will resist corrosion. It is very stable and can be easily clamped to your bench. In addition, the unit has been designed so that when you are done gluing it will fit neatly in a bucket of water to soak.

Years ago, I modified my binder to function as an endless belt-style and I've never went back to the old Garrison pulley-style with clumsy weights, etc! What a pain, and just more parts to clean and make! The endless belt style has other benefits: you never have to worry about a binding belt breaking in the middle of gluing, nor do you have to carry an extra for just such an occurance. I found that often as the knot or splice went around the section the knot would catch the binding cord making for an instant 'kink' in the rod section. With the endless belt you never worry about kinks from a knot, a breaking splice or cleaning the belt...you just throw it away when you're done.

It wasn't long after modifying my machine that I figured out a way to easily convert it to motor drive! People that have seen this setup, especially students at our classes, just marvel at how quickly it will bind sections without stopping! And it totally eliminates those silly, hanging weights! I think that after you try this setup, you will never bind rods again any other way...I know we haven't!

Each binder comes with a complete set of instructions and gluing tips. If you decide to use the binder like a conventional Garrison type, you supply the weights, but I'm confident if you try the motorized version first, you won't ever make and use weights! For the DeGere and motorized operations we recommend 20lb. Dacron backing, or a type of cord of your choosing. You can supply the backing yourself or we can supply it to you in spools of 250 yards for $15. This quantity is sufficient to double-bind 20 rods of average length plus you get the security of never having a belt break plus you don't have to take time to clean it plus you don't have as many problems with kinks plus it is an amazingly fast method plus you have it around to fill your reels and miscellaneous tasks like binding down serration tabs during ferruling!

Hi Jeff and Casimira! Wanted to update you.

Have used your binder on two rods thus far. One five weight and one four weight. I am using it with the constant feed drive belt Degere style. Will try the motorized version later.

Great binder! Easy setup, really straight sections right out of the binder. Seems to be very "anti-twist" when following your directions. Really nice on the "easy dial" adjustments when binding the smaller tips.

Thanks for the great tool! DH

Jeff; Just dropping a line to let you know that the binder arrived yesterday

as you promised. I put the check in the mail first thing Tuesday. I can't

believe your service! Played with the binder all last night. Wish I had a

rod to glue up right now, better get busy. This winder is slick, trick and

fool proof. No more weights, pulleys and that nonsense. Hooked it up to with a foot pedal speed control, great hands free operation.

Great stuff, I couldn't be more pleased.

All the best

Prices

Wagner Binder, complete with power drive attachment and instructions. $295 plus shipping.

16/4 cotton glace binding cord , 4,800 yard spool $38 plus shipping, or in a 500 yard spool for $8.45 plus shipping. NOTE: ONLY 500 yd spools currently available.

20 lb. Dacron backing, 250 yard spool $15 plus shipping.

Some Additional Words on Design

As mentioned, we set out to redesign and make the best, most versatile binder ever built. We've had people ask, why didn't we build a multi-string design? There are several reasons and here are some:

Years ago while watching the Winston Waters video I noticed that the folks at Winston were using a stripped down version of a very old and simple Crompton binder design. This puzzled me because there are pictures of master rodbuilder Lew Stoner of Winston using his big, elaborate multi-string binder. I came to learn that although this large, complex machine did an admirable job, it didn't function in any superior way to a conventional, single-string binder.

Then there was the time that a rodbuilder invited me to purchase a very large, but well-made, multi-string design. Not wanting to invest a ton of money for a tool without seeing it in operation, I made arrangements to see it in person. This rodbuilder had been just raving about it...the speed, the lack of twist, yaddayadda. The first thing I noticed was the total lack of glue residue on this contraption which made me doubt that it had ever been actually used prior to forming an opinion. I then asked to see it operate with a practice section. After fumbling around trying to get all the strings tied off to start binding, the builder asked me to have a drink with him and we'd look at it again later. I didn't need to hang around.

It also dawned on me that any such unit was gonna be a bear to clean and store. Because it was so large it virtually demanded a dedicated space in our already cramped shop. There was simply no payoff in terms of performance over a conventional design and a lot of money to lose out of pocket.

Just recently, another builder that used a multi-string told me to contact him as soon as our binder was ready. For him, it turned out that there was no real increase in speed...after all, all of these strings need to be tied on and off anyway, the bobbins refilled, etc. And although he minimized twist after he played with getting the tensions equal on all of the spools, he still had problems with long sweeps.

I've seen other multi-string binders put together with cheap, at-hand materials, and I've seen another design where you have to rewind the binding cord onto a spool for it to work. So it just seemed to me that the best design parameters would include keeping the design simple and functional, using high-quality materials and producing it at a very favorable price. I believe we have met this challenge for both the home craftsperson and professional alike.