Originally Posted by
FBinNY
…OTOH if the spokes are already reaching reaching the tops of the nipples, you have limited room for the spoke coming up higher on the new built.
Good advice, but I might add that to ensure that the spokes won't be too long, you might do well to add a brass spoke washer under the head of each spoke as recommended by Gerd Schraner, it makes sense and guarantees a nice tight build (i.e. the spokes end up being nice and snug!) Here's a picture:
HTH -
Good luck -
- Wil