Originally Posted by
hairnet
Yeah, right? It kills the flow having to mess with getting the nipple thought the rim, or worse, accidebtly dropping it inside the rim!
An easy DIY nipple tool you can make is to simply sharpen a ~1/8" or larger wire/rod/whatever to a point that you can wedge into the back of the nipple. Works great to get the nipple through the rim and engage a few threads. I made one out of a busted old wheel skewer.
I bought a package of bamboo shishkabob skewers. Cost pennies. They are pointy and just the right size. Before beginning the lacing process, I mount 18 nipples on 18 skewers, that way I don't have to dick around with each one, over and over when I'm doing the second groups.
Someday I may buy one of these. One of the coolest time saving gadgets I've ever seen. Nipple Shuffler.
The driver is awesome too. Watch the video....it'll make you want one.
Wheel Fanatyk Nipple Shuffler - Wheel Fanatyk