Steve,
I believe that the problem you are encountering is because -- and, I'm guessing at this based on MY limited experience with my spoke threader -- you have ALREADY pre-shortened the spokes to the desired length prior to threading ...
Consequently, the threader is encountering an "unfriendly" surface (for want of a better term) in the first few millimeters of the spoke -- the worst-case-scenario would be if you created a miniscule nail head type of end on the spoke (which does not seem to be your case).
I found that MY threader (I think it is an even OLDER one made by CYCLO with which I've successfully rethreaded stainless steel spokes that I had subsequently shortened) acts equally recalictrant when it has nothing to start on ... now, considering the threaders are SELF-FEEDING, it should be obvious (in hindsight) that the process is expedited by having intact threads ...
So, perhaps you can file a bevel on the end of those spokes which are otherwise "lost" OR (do as I do), shorten the spoke AFTER re-threading (depending on how much you are removing, you may have to shorten the spoke a second time).
BTW. I found the spokes have to be "rolled" twice when being re-threaded.
Al Feng Albuquerque, NM
On Sat, 31 Mar 2007 23:22:33 -0400 "Steve Birmingham"
<sbirmingham@mindspring.com> writes:
> I'm working on re-threading some spokes after changing the length,
> and I'm
> having a bit of difficulty. I'm using a Hozan c-700 threader, on DT
> straight
> 15 guage spokes.
>
> The problems I'm having are 1)Sometimes the spoke just dosen't want
> to
> thread. I haven't found
> any potential reason, just about 1 in 5 simply will not thread. they
> get
> abou1 1mm of starting thread, and
> that's all. The next will be ok, so it's not the setup.
>
> The second problem is the threader putting a slight bend in the
> threaded
> section, so the nipples won't
> thread on easily. I'm thinking that this might partly be the cutter
> I'm
> using. Leaving the clamp end a bit loose helps,
> so it may also be some misalignment in the setup of that section.
>
> I've read the "directions" that come with the threader, and they're
> not much
> help. (The spoke I smoothed the end of as directed was the worst at
> not
> threading)
>
> Any advice would be helpful, as there doesn't seem to be a shop that
> stocks
> much for 15 straight guage, and the batch I bought is running a bit
> low.
>
> Steve Birmingham
> Lowell, Ma
> USA