Hi, noob question:

The holes in my deadeyes are very tiny. Is there any inside secret on how to get the thread through the holes? Are there mini-"modeler's" needles? Or a way to stiffen the end of the thread so you don't need a needle? The holes in the blocks are even smaller.

Thanks.

Hi Vic!
I use these
http://www.orderscenter.com/cart.asp?MerchantID=WCM00001&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=EVIL853444

They are readily available at fabric stores and are very cheap. I always keep a couple of packs in my tool box as they get tore up through the course of installing the rigging.

Hope that helps.


Richard

Have you looked into glass-seed beading needles. I have found they work well in very small holes and they are cheep. There is also another very handy tool that is used in bead-work. It's a small reamer coated with diamond dust, just a few twist in hole from each side of the dead-eye / block helps the line pass thru. with less fraying. Both can be found at many larger craft stores. Good luck and good sailing, mlb

Vic
What I do for all my rigging is put a dob of "Ambroid" cement on my fingertip an pass the thread thru it. this stiffens the thread . When dry I cut the end at an angle and that will allow me to pass the thread thru deadeyes and/or blocks. Other types of glue will also work. I've heard that some dip the thread in cyano to achieve the same result.
Fred

For a variation on the Needle Threader, this is the one I swear by and use for running nearly all my rigging.

http://www.castyouranchorhobby.com/item--Needle-Threader--43003

Running the thread through a block of beeswax also helps.

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I tried the glue method above earlier, but didn't think of the good suggestion of cutting it to a point. Just tried it and the thread went right through with no problem.

Since they're so cheap, I'll get some of those needle threaders and see which method is easier for me.

I've been reading some posts in the mean time. I made the "mistake" of already mounting the lower deadeyes to the ship. That's funny because I had a device for reaving deadeyes that I can't use now. :) Oh well, it'll be pristine for next time.

Anyway, some people suggested using clips to hold the shrouds to the deadeyes while doing all the adjusting necessary to get the upper deadeyes even to each other. I'm imagining little alligator clips. That seems wise since this is my first build and I'm liable to make some errors until I've done it a couple times.

So... any advice on whether to clip or not clip? What kind of clip do you use and where did you get them?

Thanks again.

Hello,

The type that Richard suggested can be bought at any Michael's or Jo-Ann's craft stores or for that matter Model Shipways also carries them.

Landlubber7
Henry

HHi Vic. You can put a dab drop of superglue on the end of the thread you are using which makes a "needle" when dry. I have found that one always has to open up deadeyes to a SLIGHTLY larger hole as most times there are burrs left inside the original drilling. Care must be taken as they easily split. Good luck. Jonathan

I turn my superglue bottle upside down and let the glue run to the tip. Then I insert a quarter inch or so of the thread into the bottle, immediately withdraw it and wipe the thread off. This minimizes the glue on the thread. Then I cut the tip at the same angle as the wind of the thread. Place your tweezers at the back of the glued portion and you should have a good grip which will move the sharp end through most small openings.

If you take an ordinary piece of wire (twisted light cord), strip the insulation and unravel the individual wires you have an unlimited supply of threaders.

Ed

I have also found that my grandmothers old (very fine) croche' needles to be quite helpful for those fine threads and ropes