Abstract: A coil winding machine comprising a spindle adapted to be driven in rotational motion and to have one or more coil wound thereupon, wire supply apparatus for supplying wire to the spindle for producing the wound coil, insulative sleeve release apparatus for selectably retaining and releasing insulative sleeves through which the wire is drawn to form the coil, such that the sleeves are properly positioned on the wound coils and control apparatus for governing the operation of the spindle and of the release apparatus whereby release of the insulative sleeve takes place at the correct time for proper positioning of the sleeve on the coil.