I got a Stanford yarn winder for Christmas, I had just bought the yarn winder “ Loops and Threads” from Michaels. Loops and Threads Winder retailed at $35. Stanwood listed at $50 on Amazon,
Loops and threads experience- the grip on the winder handle fell off the first day using it. As I continued to use it, the winder would travel despite all efforts to tighten the clamp without damaging the table it was clamped to. The housing is on the pretty thin side. Can only make cakes under one hundred yards. Attempts to add more yardage resulted in the yarn jumping off the cake, getting tangled, or stuck under the cake. It rattles and the winder moves interfering with a smooth winding experience. The “mouth” where you insert the yard end is not deep enough and too wide.
Stanwood Winder experience- plastic housing is significantly thicker. Has a tension rod. Can tighten beyond adequate and uses a wing nut to tighten clamp. The yarn spoke also spins on its own axis as you’re winding the yarn making for a tighter cake. The one I bought can wind 200 yards worsted weight easily. Company has been around, has its own website and sells extra parts. The gears are completely shrouded so yarn can’t get caught in gears. The mouth that holds the yarnbend is deep enough and not too wide. It does make noise but less so than the other winder.
Since I received it I have turned almost 20,000 yards of yarn into cakes with this winder without a hitch.
I’ll keep it in mind for the future 
