Looking at a turning tool catalog the other day and they had little wires with handles to decorate turnings.
I think the little light bulb went off in my head.
Took a short piece of .062 plug wire and a couple of small pieces of wood and after drilling a couple of holes ended up with something that looked like a small garrote.
Hold it against the plug where you want the eel skin groove and it burns it's way right in. Perfect and easy
In case you did'nt figure it out you need to hold it against the plug while it is turning on the lathe.:whackin:

I got some skin needles to try....I'm generally too lazy to fish them:btu: