Thread and Glue Aglet

I realized I didn’t have a pair of locking pliers or vise so I improvised. I used a spring loaded paper clip (I have these laying around for various uses) and it worked very well. I sew and have a variety of threads and used button thread which is very strong. I finished it by giving several coats of clear nail polish on your recommendation. As you can see, the finished result is great!

Thank you for your help in salvaging a lace that ordinarily would have been trashed. Also for saving me $$$!

– Elaine, Missouri, USA, Dec-2018

When I attempted your thread and glue aglet, I ran into two problems: It was hard to get the first few turns tight, and when I tried to pull the free end underneath, the thread broke. I have some suggestions...

Instead of just laying the capture loop along the shoelace, start by tying a half-knot (#1202 in Ashley's Book of Knots) around the shoelace, leaving 2-3 inches free on one side to form the capture loop. (I actually used a half-knot with an extra turn. I suppose a Strangle Knot - Ashley #1239 - would be even better.) That gives you something to pull against when tightening the initial turns.

Instead of forming the capture loop right away, just lay the short end along the shoelace and wrap the first several turns over that single strand.

When you are about 2/3 the way along the wrapping, form the capture loop. Finish wrapping over the now doubled strand, feed the end through the loop, then pull the other loose end to draw it under the wrapped section. Since you're pulling the capture thread through a shorter wrapped section, there's less stress on it, and the thread is less likely to break. You also don't risk pulling the capture loop through all the wrapping by mistake, allowing the initial turns to unravel.

As an alternative to the original knot, one could lay the short end of the thread along the shoelace as above, make the first few wraps, then pull that short end to further tighten the initial turns. However, I prefer starting with a knot.

But you started me in the right direction, and the clear nail polish was an especially good suggestion. Thanks!

– Jim V.Z., USA, Jul-2018

I just fixed my son's Doc Marten laces using oboe reed thread and nail polish. The 14-hole laces are harder to find, plus I hate throwing out the laces just because the ends are wrecked, so I'm really happy with the solution. Thanks again!

– Kathy, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Mar-2016

On a side note, I coated the aglets with 3 coats of clear nail polish, and then proceed to coat the aglets with hot glue from a glue gun. I accomplished the latter by rolling the nail polish-covered aglets into a dime-sized globule of hot glue, and then cleaned off the excess with a toothpick. Worked like a charm.

– Jon M., Sep-2006

As a recreational fisherman and used to tying flies and replacing rod bindings and such things, binding the ends is a natural way for me to rectify such a problem. I would rate it a better alternative than tape, but it naturally requires a little more patience and dexterity. Good strong cotton thread along with a needle, something most homes would have, could be used instead of traditional the bindings I would use. Having chosen an appropriate coloured thread and performed the task, the binding is then sealed with clear or coloured cement or glue for a durable finish.

– Bill V., New Zealand, Apr-2004