Painter1 Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 I have a cone of thread that I want to transfer to a bunch of standard thread spools, very much like you might fill a spinning reel spool from a bulk spool of fishing line. Before I start trying to modify a spinning reel to accept a thread spool, I thought I might ask you guys for ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smalljaw Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 Use a drill, seriously. I was given a couple bulk spools of thread and what I did was take some empty spools and put them on a 3/8" drill bit. I put masking tape on the bit at the hole in the spool was a little big, and that is how you want it, then you wrap masking tape around the bit until the spool is snug on the bit. This lets you spin the spool without damaging it. What I did was made a few wraps by hand and then used the drill on the slowest speed, almost forgot, a variable speed drill really helps. You do have to be careful and move the spool so it lays even but it makes short work of transferring thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 I agree with smalljaw. His idea is similar to what I do when taking line off reels. It should work great for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaspumper Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 (edited) I use a drill also,but i took a short piece of solid fiberglass from a broken fishing rod and cut it off at the diameter to fit the spool,also I had my son make me some (8 total) aluminum spools a bit bigger then the wooden thread spools so they would hold more thread.The bulk spool I put it over the end of my Thompson vice to spin when filling the smaller spool,that way i get no twists in the thread. Edited November 8, 2014 by gaspumper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLT Posted November 8, 2014 Report Share Posted November 8, 2014 S-jaw does it the same as me also. I buy all my thread from "the thread exchange" online and in bulk spools. Saves money. I keep going to the sewing shops to get EMPTY spools, and they never have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted November 9, 2014 Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 I save my empty spools that come with rod winding thread. Some of them have a "split" end that you can just pull the end of the thread into to hold for starting. I have several round handle paint brushes and select one that will go through the spool and wedge itself with enough going all the way through that I can chuck the paint brush in to a battery drill. Juke up Charlie Daniels and relax while the drill works. Musky Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...