A tension control and brake assembly maintains tension on a relatively thin, pliant lightweight filament, tape, or strip material. The assembly includes a material supply spool support having a braking surface thereon and a tension control member mounted for movement relative to the spool support and braking surface. A brake element is connected to the control member for movement therewith in one direction for spool braking engagement with the support braking surface and is disengageable therefrom upon movement of the control member in a second direction thereby regulating the tension applied to the withdrawn strip material. A spring is connected to bias the control member in its brake engaging direction. The strip material withdrawn from the supply spool initially passes through a first strip guide member mounted in spaced relation to the spool support and tension control member. The strip material is withdrawn in a direction corresponding to the brake releasing, tension regulating movement of the control member. The withdrawn strip material then passes through a second strip guide member on the tension control member and a third guide member mounted adjacent the second guide member. Consequently, the tension in the strip material is multiplied in its brake releasing application to the tension control member. A spring biased take-up engages the strip material intermediate the third guide member and a strip drawing roller. Thus, slack is taken up and tension maintained during decelerating and ''''stopping'''' overruns of the supply spool. Initial loads imposed on the strip material are absorbed during a subsequent ''''starting'''' period.