Tape winder

A tape winder including a supply spindle for supplying tape, a take-up spindle for taking up tape from the supply spindle, and opposing sidewalls with slots therein wherein the spindles are rotatably received. A drive mechanism located on the sidewalls engage the spindles when the spindles are fully inserted within the slots. The slots preferably include a narrow throat region near their openings so that the spindles may be snap-fit within the slots. The supply spindle is preferably driven with lesser torque than the take-up spindle so that the difference in relative torque between the spindles maintains tension in the tape and causes it to wind tightly.