Splicing

[jamie]

splices

i found it hard as hell to pull the sheath through itself when performing the splice.....gave up in the end,

it took all my effort and all i got was tired... no splice no nothing....

jamie

 

[NickfromWI]

Those strands that you marked have to be pulled out. Grab an awl, a pair of needle nose, a nail....something that you can work under the mark on the strand. Then working towards the bitter end (tail) of the splice (the part that's going to be buried later) pull that strand out, without distorting the standing part (the part that will form the eye). So what you'll end up with, when you hold up the tapered tail, is a woven tail made up of 6 strands, and then 10 strands hanging out. These 10 strands will be cut off soon, but don't do it just yet.

Now on to step 5.

Tell me if this doesn't help.

love
nick

 

[jamie]

step 5

its step 5 i cannae do, it just doesnae want to pull through....how much force do others have to exert?

jamie

 

[NickfromWI]

....how much force do others have to exert?

jamie

That might be the problem. The task is accomplished via finesse, not muscle.

Jamie, what are you using to pull the tail through? A coat-hanger (or wire fid, or Toss Wand) is a way to pull it through, and a hollow fid is a way to push it through. I prefer the pull through method because first you insert the wire/wand, then you can do the all-important step of pulling on the core strands to assure they slide smoothly past the wand/wire. If they DO slide, then you haven't accidently snagged one of the core strands when you inserted the wire, making that final bury all the more easy. If you DID snag a strand or two, you'll only be able to slide the core strands a few inches, then they'll just stop. If this happens, back out the wand/wire, then send it through again and test again until you haven't snagged.

Tell me if this helps. And tell more specifically what you're doing, and I might be able to better help you make a great splice!

love
nick

 

[jamie]

ok

i think i must have caught a core strand then with a coat hanger doubled up.

i will get back round to trying again soon

jamie

 

[NickfromWI]

Especially for a beginner doing the 16-strand splice, I highly reccomend practicing/learning on NEW rope.

The doubled coat-hanger is a very good way to get this job done.

love
nick

 

[Redbull]

I gave up after trying to insert the hanger as well. I did pull out some new 5/8 three strand that I had and made a decent splice with it. I'm gonna try the 16 strand again.

 

[KentuckySawyer]

I'm interested in splicing, but the diesel and two cycle fumes make it hard to follow written directions. I need to see it. Can you post some pictures, Nick?

 

[NickfromWI]

...I need to see it. Can you post some pictures, Nick?

Sadly, the answer is no. First, it's SUPER time consuming to take pictures while splicing, then post them all up here. That is but a minor deterrent, however. The real prob is that my digital camera is not so keen on taking close up pictures. I've tried before, but they just come out fuzzy. There is only a crappy digital zoom, and I must be like 2' away from the subject. That combined with a moderate 3.2megapixels equals bad rope pictures, bad close ups.

Sorry! I try my best!

love
nick

 

[KentuckySawyer]

No problem. I still dig my knots.

 

[TreeJunkie]

How safe is this learning splicing on a forum?

I think it's a good idea to sit down w/ a knowledgeable splicer and see how to do it hands on. That way you can't screw up too bad.

At least Buy the Toss video.

 

[Lumberjack]

Junkie, I learned how to splice 16 strand on AIM. My first splice was on a lanyard that I am fixing to retire, my second splice was on a short (75') climbing line.

16 strand is hard to mess up if you understand why your doing what your doing, and not just following the directions. Makes it easy to see how and where the strength is coming from.

 

[NickfromWI]

16 strand is hard to mess up if you understand why your doing what your doing, and not just following the directions. Makes it easy to see how and where the strength is coming from.

That's the funny thing about splicing. Once you know how to do a certain rope, then you can see where the strength is coming from, then you can understand why you do what you do when you splice that rope.

To bad there's not a way to understand this BEFORE you know how to do it!

I side with TJ. Ideal situation is someone right there showing you the right way.

love
nick

 

[clearance]

Here in B.C. splicing climbing line is taken very seriously. It is against compensation board regs. for anyone to do it that is not a board certified splicer. Nick, I think you could be board certified easily but very few people here are. I think this reg. is there to help because splicing is not the same as tying a bowline and a tautline. I have a comp. board book on splicing wire rope (for logging), so far well beyond my patience level to figure it out. If I have to join ropes I use bowlines, wire rope I use cable clips.

 

[NickfromWI]

I'm not yet quite sure where I stand on the issue of letting people splice their own ropes.

One one hand, I learned quite well how to do it. A splice is JUST a glorified knot. We let people tie knots all day without checking them before they do it.

On the other hand...people do make mistakes. Some are more prone to it, are less attentive to detail, and maybe those shouldn't splice.

I think there is a darwinian aspect to splicing. Those that aren't cut out for it don't really get through that first splice. Then they just stick to what they know.

Some have to be getting through the cracks, though. I've seen some bad splices.

love
nick

 

[Tree Machine]

Those that aren't cut out for it don't really get through that first splice. Then they just stick to what they know.

Or they consult with the Mother of Invention and find a different way.

 

[TreeJunkie]

Junkie, I learned how to splice 16 strand on AIM. My first splice was on a lanyard that I am fixing to retire, my second splice was on a short (75') climbing line.

16 strand is hard to mess up if you understand why your doing what your doing, and not just following the directions. Makes it easy to see how and where the strength is coming from.[/QUOTE


I guess you must be one of the special people then. I myself tried to learn from Samson's directions. After screwing up a couple splices and becoming extremely aggitated I went and watched a couple guys do it. This made things much easier to understand.

By the sound of alot of the posts in this thread it seems as though maybe others should try this approach.

It doesnt' surprise me too much either that people are having a hard time splicing w/ a clothes hanger. It's certainly possible to do this however for a first time splicer, it would be easier w/ proper tools.

just 2 cents

 

[Lumberjack]

Nick will be doing a training class in MD end of may, I am sure he can sign you up for it.

 

[jamie]

watching

it doesnt surprise me that im screwing it up either, my problem is that i know of noone willing to demonstrate it in my area. been searching for some info but the reputable web services seem to be my best bet.

figured out the 3 strand and the tenex very quickly

jamie

 

[Lumberjack]

Nick, what if i took the pics and description and you correct me if i say something wrong? It seems that these folk are just needed some gentle guidance, it seems they are overcomplicating it.

Sound like a plan? It will probably be sat or sun night at the earliest, got finals next week.