Those of you messing around with paracord probably know what these are already.
If you don't, they're basically large diameter needles that thread from the back, parallel to the needle body, so they don't create extra thickness from threading them on large diameter stuff ( paracord, leather...).
Although not essential, they can make your knot related work much easier and enjoyable.
I thought these needles were gadgets, and have always been able to make all my fancy knots without such tools.
But I must admit that since I began using my first homemade needle, the hobby went even more enjoyable than it was before,
give 'em a try !
My problem is that where I leave ( France ) these are impossible to come by.
Buying them online was the obvious alternative I've considered for some time, but I would end up paying three times as much in shipping costs than I would for an actual set of these.
So this is where DIY kicks in.
There's nothing really complex about these, and if you have a slightly equipped shop, it should only be a matter of minutes. ( My first try probably took me 20-30 min, half the time being spent looking for the right tools.
But since I wasn't able to find any resource online concernig making them yourself, I decided I might just publish my own attempt at it so others could benefit from it.
( Actually I've found some instructions on making lacing needles by hammering and filing brass pipes, but did'nt like their aspect at all.Also, it limited sizing options too much for me .)
These are easy, cheap, and work awesomely well !
What are you waiting for ?
Oh, and there are also a couple other advantages in making them yourself:
- You can quickly make a new one for most sizes of cord, string or anything.
- You can make them the shape, the length, the size, and nose form you need.
- This includes curved ones for works on coverings etc...
I will be covering the making of a needle designed to fit standard 550 paracord in this Instructable.
Have fun !
If you don't, they're basically large diameter needles that thread from the back, parallel to the needle body, so they don't create extra thickness from threading them on large diameter stuff ( paracord, leather...).
Although not essential, they can make your knot related work much easier and enjoyable.
I thought these needles were gadgets, and have always been able to make all my fancy knots without such tools.
But I must admit that since I began using my first homemade needle, the hobby went even more enjoyable than it was before,
give 'em a try !
My problem is that where I leave ( France ) these are impossible to come by.
Buying them online was the obvious alternative I've considered for some time, but I would end up paying three times as much in shipping costs than I would for an actual set of these.
So this is where DIY kicks in.
There's nothing really complex about these, and if you have a slightly equipped shop, it should only be a matter of minutes. ( My first try probably took me 20-30 min, half the time being spent looking for the right tools.
But since I wasn't able to find any resource online concernig making them yourself, I decided I might just publish my own attempt at it so others could benefit from it.
( Actually I've found some instructions on making lacing needles by hammering and filing brass pipes, but did'nt like their aspect at all.Also, it limited sizing options too much for me .)
These are easy, cheap, and work awesomely well !
What are you waiting for ?
Oh, and there are also a couple other advantages in making them yourself:
- You can quickly make a new one for most sizes of cord, string or anything.
- You can make them the shape, the length, the size, and nose form you need.
- This includes curved ones for works on coverings etc...
I will be covering the making of a needle designed to fit standard 550 paracord in this Instructable.
Have fun !
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Signing UpStep 1: What you will need
Here are the few tools you will need to do this.
You might get away with less tools and more ingenuity, but this is the "basic" toolset that will make the whole process a breeze.
- One brass rod , ( For 550 paracord, I used a 6mm rod, which seems to be just perfect )
- A drill press ( This might be the hardest to source for some of you, but it will allow you to drill a nice straight hole down the rod easyly.)
- A dremel tool for the cutting/finishing of the needle.
- Various cutting, grinding and polishing bits.
- A set of threading taps matching the diameter of your rod. For paracord and a 6mm rod, I used 4X0.70 mm taps.
- A drill bit, choose it accordingly to the kind of tap you're using. I used a 3.2 mm bit. It should have been 3.3, but that's close enough.
- Optionnally, a bench grinder
That's it !
If you choose alternative ways of construction, you might also find usefull to have:
- a hack saw
- sand paper
- a lathe ( this would surpass the whole drill press thing on any aspect, but most of you won't have the privilege of owning one, so I will describe the "poor man's" drill press way here, as they are way more common )
Once again, this is only one way of doing it.
Depending on your tools or skills you might find many more.
You might get away with less tools and more ingenuity, but this is the "basic" toolset that will make the whole process a breeze.
- One brass rod , ( For 550 paracord, I used a 6mm rod, which seems to be just perfect )
- A drill press ( This might be the hardest to source for some of you, but it will allow you to drill a nice straight hole down the rod easyly.)
- A dremel tool for the cutting/finishing of the needle.
- Various cutting, grinding and polishing bits.
- A set of threading taps matching the diameter of your rod. For paracord and a 6mm rod, I used 4X0.70 mm taps.
- A drill bit, choose it accordingly to the kind of tap you're using. I used a 3.2 mm bit. It should have been 3.3, but that's close enough.
- Optionnally, a bench grinder
That's it !
If you choose alternative ways of construction, you might also find usefull to have:
- a hack saw
- sand paper
- a lathe ( this would surpass the whole drill press thing on any aspect, but most of you won't have the privilege of owning one, so I will describe the "poor man's" drill press way here, as they are way more common )
Once again, this is only one way of doing it.
Depending on your tools or skills you might find many more.
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...note though that he is used to working with metal and lathes and stuff and I only have his word for it that they are easy to work with. I am very happy with them though.
Paul
I was thinking, since I don't have a drill press, maybe i'll get a brass tube and tap both ends. One end for the paracord, the other for the tip.
For the the tip I'll just shape it somehow (with lots of elbow grease!) and then put it in a die to make a threaded end.
This would allow me to change tips too! Whadya think?
on a side note for some that might want a thinner needle:
a few years ago i bought some "portable" stainless steel chopsticks online for like $5.00 usd shipped. these chopsticks unscrew from each other. the pointed end being the part where the paracord would screw into. i used these to make a few cases for my phone and it was very easy to thread with.
that said - i will be making some of those fatter diameter ones to have more options :)
thanks for the instructable.
I was struggling with an idea on how to make my own Permalok needle a few months ago. I dug through my Box-O-Stuff where I toss things that might come in handy in the future and came across some proprietary IBM cable male/female gender benders. They had stainless steel screws that held 2 cables together. I cut the thumbscrew off the female screw and sharpened the tip. it works fine, but is a little short. I like your idea much better.
Kudos.
There is a (IMO) simpler procedure over at KHWW (but when was simpler better for a weekend project?). Involves small gauge copper tubing, a self tapping screw, a hammer and some finishing supplies. It's little less machine intense, but I've got a feeling yours is a bit sturdier.