Dear All,
Thankyou for the sentiments.
To save three separate Posts I will do it all in one! :) I am pleased you found the idea interesting. It really does work, and the scale aspect looks good as well, furthermore, they do look like aerial end insulators, so they fit the bill nicely.
Jimmy, glad you think it a good idea, and thanks for the info. re the threaders - will ask for those when I pass there next time.
Gary, I would think they would do what you want them to do admirably, and would also look the part - & not look like fishhooks if done the right way. I was told that they can be bent if done slowly (a quick bend can snap them apparently), but a touch of heat will definitely stop any snap potential - though I am not sure what it would do to the finish - maybe nothing. However, I think just a gentle bending will be perfectly fine - they are certainly very strong and will last a life time, and I don't think they will rust.
Barry, glad you liked the idea. The trouble is with me and digital cameras is that they don't go to well together just at the moment. I have one yes (have had it for about 1.5 yrs. now! - only been out of it's box a couple of times!), but I don't quite have the time at the moment to get my head around it and the PC programme at present! (My busy time of the year - has been for the last two + months!). Ok, sounds an excuse, but it's not: I find sorting PC 'things' out very stressful... v.partic. if they don't go my way! - straight away! Anyway, as soon as I get a few hours that can be called 'spare', I do intend to get everything up and running - someone wants p.graphs of Belfast, and I really must get this blasted camera sorted out now.
Some gnrl. things re these fish hooks. With hanging aerial lines, I would suggest that one end be permanently fitted (though this need not really be the case - but one end must be 'pullable on'), then thread the eye of the hook with whatever line you are using, thread it from the top downwards (top of spar to bottom of spar - better finish), place the hook over the spar (so the line enters from the top), and then very gently tighten. Do not try and tie a not while it's like this (too stressful and leads to swearing!
), when you have it
gently tight, lift the spare tying end up slightly (but not sufficient to make the hook move from the horizontal), and place a touch of as new as possible superglue underneath the eye. Hold until hardens... ok, bit of a nuisance this, but at the end of the day far better for stress levels!
When glue gone off, now tie a nice simple basic knot and, while holding the excess, keep the knot gently tight (this not necessary with cotton, but is with nylon or pony/horse hair and the like), and now place a touch of superglue to seal the knot/job. Right, this is a bog standard stuff for some, but for such as me I like to do a trial run or two first - saves lot's of bad language later! ::)
These hooks are so cheap that it doesn't matter if you wreck one or two in the trials process, but I can assure you that you will like the end result. They do do slightly smaller ones (No 20), but life becomes that much more interesting with threading!!! - and if you have to attach/detach while sailing your vessel for sailing, it makes it just a touch easier to have the larger ones. All down to personal choice and eyesight at the end of the day! - and the scale of your vessel as well obviously (they seem to do about six + sizes with these hooks).
When someone else has tried this out, maybe they would let us know what they think about the result.
Regards to All, Bernard
