that supplier also have only 110/18 size needles....
A PITA to find a 140/22 size....

Hi,

Concerning winding cordage in a PSK, I have done it a couple of times.

In my mini Altoid kits I wind 50lb Spiderwire fishing line in a single layer around the thin signal mirror; this way it is very compact, takes up almost no space but can be removed easily and tangle free. This works good with a fresnel lens also.

For the 90 small kits I made our youth group we (my own kids actually did this part) wound the strong sewing thread around the Deep Woods OFF insect repellent towelette.

I like the idea of keeping cordage type materials tangle free by storing them on spindles or winding them around something.

I also thought the hole in the centre of a bobbin was a waste of precious space in a mini kit, so I packed the hole with a portion of a Coghlins firestarter and stuck a small tack in the centre of that. The tack is to help secure my large gaff fishook on to an inprovised wooden handle.

Take care,

Mike

All,

Just got my order from REI, and noticed that the matchbox cases I got, are smaller then I expected. The bobbins I had all preped for it (assuming that they were too small, but using as an example) were too big for the case.

I was going to do 4 bobbins, one of syderwire, one of dental floss, one of coats & clark, and the other of dacron. Then use the middle of the bobbins to store needles. the what room is on the top of the case, use that for fish hooks and whatever else.

Hummm, Now i have to figure another 'system', and i have a match case as my restriction for size for the sewing/fishing kit.

I like the idea of using a nail to store the cordage, but what if you needed use of a nail? Keep a couple in stand by?

Hi Kris,

Are the bobbins you have to big in diameter or height? What are the specs, maybe you can grind them down in size to fit in the match case.

I think your idea could be a tangle free way to carry multiple types of cordage, worth tweaking a bit.

Mike

Mike,

Big in diameter by like 1-3 mm (can get them in the tube, but thats it, won't go down). I don't have a drill or anything I can use to grind them down.

If i can get my hands on something like a drill, how could I grind them down?

Kris

Hi Kris,

Sounds like you have the same diameter plastic bobbins and matchcase that I have here.

I will try to grind one down this afternoon and will get back to you.

This is fun,

Mike

I use small pieces of cardboard for my sewing, fishline and GPS (general purpose string). Each of these lay flat in their respective kits in the BOB. You can get an amazing amount of feet of thread/line/string wrapped on in no time...



Also if you look closely at the black thread, you will see 2 needles embedded into the cardboard, You do not have to worry about them falling out when opening the sewing kit.

For my sewing kit and fishing kits, I use small, flat and clear plastic containers that wood/metal screws come in. They are virually indestructable and more or less free...

Hi Kris,

I had no problem reducing the size of a bobbin.

I could not find the correct size dowel to use as a spindle (arbor) so I cut a 3 inch piece off a regular pencil. I tapered one end with a utility knife then locked the other end in the chuck of a power hand drill. I used a file to smooth out the tapered end so the centre of the bobbin would fit onto it snugly.

I pushed the plastic bobbin onto the spindle and held the coarse file of my Leatherman against it, the diameter was reduced quickly. I checked it a couple of times for fit and finished the job with the fine side of the file.

The bobbin now drops easily into the bottom of the matchcase. It now has a diameter of 0.750 inches and a capacity of 25 feet of 50 lb Spiderwire.

Wear safety glasses when doing this modification as the bobbin flew off the spindle once.

Neat idea Kris!

Mike

Mike,

How many bobbins do you think you can get in that match case?

Kris

Hi Kris.

The Coghlins matchcase is 2.7 inches deep and each bobbin I have is .425 inches high so at present 6 bobbins will fit with a little space over the last one. If you thinned down the top and bottom of each bobbin a little you might squeeze in 7 bobbins.

The metal bobbins are thinner material and have increased capacity but would be more difficult to reduce in diameter to fit in the matchcase.

Mike