Sorry for the delayed reply. Thanks for the great advice.
Just to be clear on the cutting of the core; you mean when i taper the wire i should cut the core out at the start point of the wire taper, so the tapered part of the wire has no core...correct?
And of course i have the apprentice, who wouldn't own 'the bible'.
Thanks Brion, appreciate the help.
(It's great to be able to access a pool of fellow rigging minds. great forum)