Methods and apparatus are provided for generating and connecting an intermediate lead wire extending between multiple portions of a coil wound on a pole of a stator core to a slotted terminal mounted on the stator core. Such stator cores, wound by coil winding shuttles, are used in electric motors, generators and similar devices. An intermediate lead wire extending between multiple portions of a coil is first captured by a hook mechanism, aligned with a slotted terminal, and then inserted in the terminal by a wire insertion device. The wire is then held in engagement with the terminal while the next portion of the coil is begun, producing an intermediate lead wire connection wherein a first portion of the lead wire is engaged within a slot in the terminal and the portion extending from the terminal to the next coil portion is wrapped tightly against the exterior of the terminal, with no cutting of the intermediate lead wire required.