Abstract: A winding system includes a frame with a power driven shaft mounted on the frame and a work fluid source for providing work fluid at a selected variable pressure. A carrier block is mounted on the shaft with mandrel means being removably mounted on the carrier block for rotation therewith and including wound material support means for receiving material being wound. An annular piston and cylinder encircles the driven shaft and engages a drive disc rotation by the driven shaft having friction means on a surface engaging the carrier block so that the drive block is urged toward the carrier block with a force in proportion to the pressure of the work fluid to vary the winding tension provided by the mandrel.