Abstract: Method and apparatus for winding a tape smoothly onto an irregularly shaped mandrel or the like, including ends, characterized by tape storage and unreeling of packaged reels of tape to be wound smoothly onto the mandrel, mandrel rotational motor and gearing supporting and rotating the mandrel; delivery head roller for winding the tape onto the mandrel, a creel carrying the tape reel assembly, a creel rotating means adapted to rotate the creel to desired positions, an in-feed means carrying the creel and adapted to traverse normal to the mandrel, a traversing carriage carrying the in-feed means and adapted to traverse longitudinally of the mandrel; a controller for effecting movement of all the machines elements. The roller is freely rotatable and is pivotally mounted such that when moved longitudinally of the mandrel in both directions with the tape passing over it, the tape is wound smoothly onto the mandrel.