Apparatus for making a helically wound conductor includes a pulling mechanism for axially advancing a cable core and a guide mechanism for axially directing one or more secondary strand(s) from a location offset from the cable core toward the cable core at a common approach angle. A mandrel body is disposed at a forward end of the apparatus, the mandrel body having an axial passageway extending from a rearward to the forward end of the mandrel body dimensioned to axially receive the cable core therethrough and a forward radiused end positioned to intercept the secondary strand(s). The secondary strand(s) converge on the mandrel radiused end at a common approach angle, tangentially intersect respective locations of the mandrel radiused end, and follow the radiused end to intersect with the cable core.