Originally Posted by
mariachi
. but the spokes are already very tense even with some threads to go. Is this normal? Sheldon gives as an example for the initial tensioning, turning the nipples until the threads disappear -- I can't do that using a screwdriver, there's just too much tension already.
If you are setting the spoke tension using a screwdriver on the nipple heads, you can't get it nearly high enough. Get a proper spoke wrench and work on the square drive faces of the nipples. You may be surprised how easily the nipples still turn.