If you're not going to buy a packer, try using a wooden dowl. Just drill a small hole in the end. I use this method myself, I use several dowls with different size holes in each end. I drill them about an inch deep on both ends, just big enough to slide over the hook eyes. I have four all together, thats eight different sizes total. They work great, and you can make them all out of one dowl, wich costs like $2 at home depot,or wall-mart. Good luck, Dave