ok, so heres the deal. I make slinkies in .175 dia. # 5,7,9,11 and .210 # 8,10,12,14. the small ones are a pain because there aren't any good slinkie makers for the smaller sizes. I'll pass on my tips if you folks will pass on yours.
I use a Blazer micro torch to heat the ends and a paperclip to put a hole in them to clip them on the snap swivel...much faster than a regular lighter and it can be locked on.
I also load about 30" of cord before I start sliding them down and burning the ends. kind of looks like a string of sausages before I go back and snip them apart with scissors.
I've heard of using arrow shafts to speed the "loading the cord" part. That only works with the cord sizes that are larger.
What tips have you learned to speed the process and make things easier?? I probably make a couple hundred a year and figure there are alot of short cuts out there that I need to know. Post your tips!!!