Needle nose pliers are useful; the narrower the tips, the better. You might be able to get them at craft stores like Michael's, bead stores, jewelry supply places or hobby stores.

These stores also carry lots of thin wires of copper, brass; if you stretch them with pliers, they will harden and be better for masts. Iron binding wire from jeweler supply stores is excellent when stretched, for masts, yards, gun barrels.