[oldjoat]

raw wire holder ... run wire thru an old bait casting reel ( to move the wire back and forth ) and act as a tensioner ...
the winder ... an old calculator ( to automatically count the turns for you )
a couple of rare earth magnets ( to polarize the pole pieces if necessary )

why go fully automatic ? you going to go into business ?

 

[oldjoat]

I'd say about as automated as an old reel except a powered motor vs handcranking

the winder pulls the wire thru the bait caster ( wind the wire in over the spool and out the line leveling mechanism )
it moves the wire side to side and the spool puts tension on the wire .

or just use the mechanism from an open faced reel ( moves the winding spool in and out for a level wire wind )

 

[oldjoat]

I'd go the other route ( have most of the stuff hanging around )

yup , go with your gut , besides it IS your project