Threading Rigging through the blocks

D

DennisP

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Dec 23, 2024
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Folks, I am in need of help please. As my first build I started with OcCre,s Polaris which is recommended for newbies. As some of know I made some mistakes which were corrected and I am fast arriving at putting the masts in place.
I have looked forward to putting the rigging in place, but as you are all aware the blocks are so tiny, just 4/5 mm with miniscule holes through them.
I have tried briefly trying to thread the rigging through a block but am not having any success as the rigging is too big a diameter to fit through the holes. I have attached a photo so you can see. I have tried a needle but cannot even thread the needle, obviously using a needle that passes through the holes in the block so that it has to be small.
How do you guys do it please ?

IMG_0217.jpeg
 
Thanks guys for the suggestions, I will try ALL your suggestions. I have also written to OcCre nut they have one of those awful systems where you reply to the website and not an email address. Which means I cannot send a picture showing the problem. The blocks are so SMALL its a job to pick one up except with tweezers.
 
Korsan said:
Complementary to the methods of YT and KK it is also helpfull to extend the treader to reach difficult angled holes.Enlarging the holes makes the operation (0.5 - 0.8 mm even 1 mm) easier
Attachment 3 mm blogs- hole enlarged with 0.8 mm drill

View attachment 508065
Click to expand...
Thank you very much, I have just ordered a couple from eBay, I will see how I get on with that plus its going to be difficult enlarging the holes on most of the blocks as I have already fitted them to the ship and the masts. It will try my patience but I am sure there are bigger challenges in future models.
Thanks
 
use some nail polish on the thread tip. it will stiffen it, making threading through the blocks easier. also clearing the block holes prior to using them with a small drill the size of the threads. hemostats as used in the above post will make drilling them easier.
 
DennisP said:
Folks, I am in need of help please. As my first build I started with OcCre,s Polaris which is recommended for newbies. As some of know I made some mistakes which were corrected and I am fast arriving at putting the masts in place.
I have looked forward to putting the rigging in place, but as you are all aware the blocks are so tiny, just 4/5 mm with miniscule holes through them.
I have tried briefly trying to thread the rigging through a block but am not having any success as the rigging is too big a diameter to fit through the holes. I have attached a photo so you can see. I have tried a needle but cannot even thread the needle, obviously using a needle that passes through the holes in the block so that it has to be small.
How do you guys do it please ?

View attachment 508042
Click to expand...
try this: put a small dab of superglue on the end of the thread. Then, using a scalpel or razor, trim the end at a long angle creating a pointed end. The point, with the superglue dried, will create a stiff enough tip to fit through small holes.
 
I love all your replies, so thanks gents. I will now try and buy an air of medical pliers plus I will try Philski and Pauls methods.
Obviously it must be a common problem that you have all overcome with these methods.
Thanks guys, I love this forum, you are all so helpful
 
All the above replies are spot on. I applied a bit of CA glue to the tip of the thread and then cut the tip at a 45* angle. I also used a needle threader. I found when rigging the deadeyes, to use the needle threader to bring the thread from back to front and tweezers to push the thread from front to back of the deadeye. There's little room to get the tip of the needle threader into the hole of the deadeye.
You are rapidly progressing. I've finished all the rigging and now on to the sails.
...henry
 
Hardening the tip with liquid CA and then cutting a point as described above by Kurt is easy and works well. In addition, If you want to use the thread and blocks in the kit and the line still does not go through easily, drill the holes in the blocks to a bigger diameter.
Allan
 
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Henry & Allan, thank you for your replies, much appreciated.
Henry, I wondered how you tackled this issue as you are in front of me on the Polaris.
I have attached a photo of my build so far.

IMG_0216.jpeg
 
AllanKP69 said:
Hardening the tip with liquid CA and then cutting a point as described above by Kurt is easy and works well. In addition, If you want to use the thread and blocks in the kit and the line still does not go through easily, drill the holes in the blocks to a bigger diameter.
Allan
Click to expand...
I use PVA because I have had mixed results with CA. I think the primary issue is that my thin CA seems to suck and I just need to find a new bottle, but that said, PVA has never given me any trouble no matter what the thread is made of.
 
Namabiiru said:
I use PVA because I have had mixed results with CA. I think the primary issue is that my thin CA seems to suck and I just need to find a new bottle, but that said, PVA has never given me any trouble no matter what the thread is made of.
Click to expand...
Expiry date of the CA (my experience 4-6 months stored in room temperature) is important.When it starts being viscous do not use. One should not use gel type for stiftening the threadends because gel does not diffuse well as the liquid ones.Another important point is do not inhalate use a mask and if possible use in open air or a good ventilated room.If one is is allergic your nose starts to run and eyes irritation may occur. As long as possible I use another glue type pva or uhu hart but in some modeling phases that damned ca glue is inavoidable
 
Yippe, thank you so much guys. Your suggestions have worked and I am so happy this afternoon with the result of my trial at your suggestions.
Unfortunately I have all the blocks to do, most have one hole through them and some have two in such a tiny space. It feels like brain surgery, not that I’m a surgeon of course.
Basically I pushed a pin through the hole then used a slightly bigger drill bit followed by a slightly bigger bit again. Then I used CA glue as suggested on the end of the rigging string, waited for it to dry then cut it at an angle to give me a point. I tried to thread a needle with it but that would not go through so tried pushing the thread through the drilled block and bingo that worked as you see in the pics below.
Awesome, thank you.
Now waiting for what challenges will inevitably come my way.
I wrote to OcCre about the issue but have not had a response so far.
Onward and upward.
Thanks

IMG_0219.jpeg

IMG_0218.jpeg
 
Philski said:
try this: put a small dab of superglue on the end of the thread. Then, using a scalpel or razor, trim the end at a long angle creating a pointed end. The point, with the superglue dried, will create a stiff enough tip to fit through small holes.
Click to expand...
That's the best solution. It' works perfectly.
 
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